Volunteers.

from WinCustomize Forums
Site admins are strange creatures who 'volunteer' their time to help maintain and support their website for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
It can be a thankless task, usually through the selfish, egocentric attitudes of some, but every now and then someone will remember/discover there are people virtually sweating tears in their efforts to improve/maintain things for everyone.

The following is 'related' in that it sheds a little light on these mad creatures known as 'volunteers'...


As some of you know, I'm a Grand Prix motor racing Official in Australia.
My first Australian Formula One GrandPrix was in 1980, and I have done 'em all since....those alone make 88 days of standing beside a race track, not counting the NUMEROUS other events, including the World Superbike Championship and the MotoGP [500 Grand Prix].

Now, diverging for a moment...
One of my fellow [idiot] Officials....ex Viet veteran [2 tours] and now deceased... ...was also a Volunteer Fire Fighter.....even ended up in California a few years ago...providing 'experienced' assistance...[Victoria, Oz is one of the worst parts of the world for bushfires...so we know our 'stuff']. He was a great guy...

Anyway back to me and the GP....
It was 2000, Melbourne...first race of the season....and 42 degrees centigrade in the shade...[that's 107.6 Farenheit].
There we were...[mad as always]..standing there, driver's left at turn 6...'surviving' as best we could.
The Firies have it harder than most...imagine beautiful beach weather....BUT....you are wearing a full Nomex fire-proof Overall, Leather boots [not shoes], gauntlet fire-proof gloves, and a balaclava...only your eyes get the gentle summer breeze...

Now, not being total morons, we rig up a small 2 metre square tarpaulin to the top of the catch-fence...[there's no alternate shade anywhere within the 'moat']..so at least there can be some respite if and when our duties allow us under its cover.

Then,
From behind us...in the spectator 'general admission' [no seats] area behind comes the dulcet tones of complaint....
"I can't see.....take down the tarp".
I look around to see a woman, about 50 standing in exactly the 'wrong' place for visibility, EVEN THOUGH THE AREA IS QUITE EMPTY AND SHE COULD GO ANYWHERE ELSE AND BE UNOBSTRUCTED.
A long 'discussion' along those lines ensues.
Her arguments...'well, you're paid to stand out there so deal with it'...
No, we are not, lady, we volunteer.
'well, you volunteered...you should know what to expect...you must like it...take it down'.

Now, fortunately for this woman, I was on Comms....meaning I was wearing a headset and in continuous communication with Race-Control, and the other corners, so couldn't just drop my gear, and go over and give her a piece of my mind, but had I, it would have been...
"Ma'am, we volunteer our time to do a JOB. The sole reason for the Officials actually BEING here is to keep a bunch of madmen driving really really fast for your enjoyment from dying quite as frequently as they have been known to. To do this 'small' task requires us to be not just experienced, but competent AND LUCID. If our concentration, commitment or attention is in any way impaired by such trivialities as Heat-stroke or Hypothermia, for that matter [I've had both], then the next we may know of it is at the inquest. Kindly leave and find yourself another vantage point. You can move, we cannot."

She was even phoning the event organization [supposedly] demanding action be taken...

But...
Our Sector Marshal [you wimp, Steve...] decided to be overly PC and we rigged the tarp to be removed during the events and only raised when the track was 'cold' [no racing].
One of the other Officials used another approach.
He aligned himself exactly between this woman and the apex of the corner, overtly obstructing her sight-line.
Eventually she moved on, and reports from sectors 8 and 9 came in that she'd been creating a nuisance there too..

One year later, 2001, I'm now at Turn 9, [my wife is at 3], and one of these volunteers [Graham Beverage] is hit and killed by flying debris at Turn 3.
Why was he there? Not for the benefit of that woman, that's for sure, but because he loved the sport, would put up with the weather, and knew he was just one in a thousand officials trying to keep the drivers alive while they did insane things in very fast cars...

Next March is the 68th Australian Formula One GrandPrix.....and I'll be on Turn 13, and my wife'll be on T6. We still enjoy it 'all'.

Volunteering takes a 'special' type of person....one with 'not a lot of sense'...
Sometimes you get flak from ingrates...
But,
Most times it's worth it...

5,649 views 24 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have to admire those that are volunteers doing what they love to do for the benefit of others...sometimes they do get some unwarranted flack...but I tip my hat to them, they give of themselves for the benefit of others.



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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm thinking that, at times, it seems easier and more pleasant to be there than here. Thanks for keeping on keeping on, Jafo!
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Old Crab is also a volunteer of sorts. I'm helping rebuild the county animal shelter and have two abandoned Sheltland ponies munching away in the field. The shelter burned down a month ago due to old electrical wiring (our own fault). The shelter has and always will have a policy of never destroying an animal. We've had great community support over the years and are rebuilding better than ever with more room and contributions from the people of Waller county (many of them have taken in the residents and cared for animals). We'll be finished soon. Patience.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
.... one of the thousands of points of lights... but mine is flickering so. That's why I admire the ones who have more gumption than me.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
that is great Old Crab, really

To many people think animals are disposable, or not worth the time or effort, money what have you.

Good of you really, mm, so, your a soft-shell crab after all

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Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"We are all like one-winged angels. It is only when we help each other that we can fly."

Luciano de Crescenzo

"I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy, I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy."

Mother Theresa

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.

Dr. Seuss
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just wish more people did what you did, Jafo, it would make the world a better place I think.

I’ve worked hard with some volunteers and found that many of the senior volunteers were complete asses and definitely had the attitude, “you are on the outside” and “we are on the inside” mentality. What a horrid way to initiate and encourage volunteerism!

Personally, I found that most of the older volunteers within my staff had HUGE ego, and were HARDLY fair and mostly favoring whatever toadies cow-towed to them and kissed butt. When I worked as a volunteer in a nursing home I saw it first hand. And the same went with the infant care unit I was part of but some people GENUINELY cared about people and some just cared about their own BS title and looking good to whomever whenever a big guy was looking. For some, the power of volunteerism is a power trip, ”Look what I do for you" and “for nothing” if anything “YOU OWE ME” and then there is the sheer power of being over someone else type attitiude, ”My, I feel powerful today, whom shall I find not worthy of the great and powerful me?” No, I do NOT find all volunteers to be alike, or giving or really honestly kind nor do I find all volunteerism friendly, fair or decent.

I for one hate that kind of phony hierarchal malarkey that often exists in such scenarios. The worst part? -Is how many people will rush to fill in the place of the last jerk that got detention for being a turd. Lack of true, genuine loyalty is almost as rare as the true, genuine volunteer who does his/her duty out of a real honest duty with NOTHING to gain but to help those in need. I never understood the need for any sort of personal self-puffing up by seniority or anything else in a voluntary world. Maybe I never will.
I think 'power' is certainly PLENTY a high for some volunteers who enjoy it as more of a high than money could ever give...

I don't trust anyone who says he gives something for nothing...ever. If I give my time, effort and energy to a cause I'll be the first to admit that the reason I do is because it makes me feel good to do what is right.

Superiority complexes can go to anyone’s head if they are given enough power to perform what the average Joe can’t and claim they are doing “someone” an indelible favor that shall eternally be owed.

Maybe I'm just cynical though. Sorry to rant but I’ve volunteered too many times and seen too much BS for my own good and I hope that people who volunteer do it ONLY to be kind and good and not for the other reasons I mentioned, otherwise the whole reason to volunteer ANYTHING is pretty pointless and moot.


Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My, my. Sometimes it's true. Sometimes not. Been working at our animal shelter for nigh on 7 years, and the animals never talked back and never sassed. Or did you mean humans jennyc?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
it is always a pleasure to read Jafo's post about the nature of being a volunteer

jennyc, speaking from what i have seen at this site over the months (or is it years now?) this doesnt seem to be a problem here.

we are truely blessed with the dedication and tallent that the volunteer admins bring with them.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
To everyman his work.
Mark 13:34

Good work Jafo
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What feline means is that Jafo has a habit of posting this story every other month. I suspect him of having a folder named "anecdotes" from which he randomly picks one every so many weeks and posts it.

Anyhow, respect for the Crab.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Dang it, Crae....you leaked....
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I was told there would be coffee.............. where's that dang coffee machine?
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am going to have to re-read this again...

Volunteering is a great feeling. I am hoping I can volunteer at the seaport musuem (NY South Street Musuem) but I think I don't have the time. All these other things pop up recently.

I really liked it over there


Maybe in a month or so things will calm down for me. I noticed that most of the volunteers are retire-es and gentel men and women who done it all already. I seemed so out of place there being that I didn't and my life still revolves around school and work.

I hope in the future I can be a volenteer again.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Koasati, there is coffee. But the coffee machine is in a locked room and I am the only one who has the key Bring me donuts and I'll share the coffee
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But....... I can never get past DavidK with the donuts............ he tells me he's the official donut tester/taster, and must test them all....
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hmmmm.....so it is DavidK who is to blame for the lack of donuts, huh?
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
raised my hand only twice to volunteer: first one landed me in the Vietnam war, second one landed me in front of an altar. i now prefer to do all of my many good deeds ( and a few bad) with as much anonymity as possible at all times. This saves endless grief, and you won't get a fat head from hearing flattery and praise that was never voiced. we do very much need people with a volunteer spirit, and i salute you Jafo!

BTW Jafo - can i inferr from your willingness to volunteer that you've never been in the military ? G'day and God bless.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
BKB...no...fortunately for me the Moronic Liberal Party was finally kicked out, Labour got in and the first thing they did within days of getting into office was rescind 'Conscription'. One more year and I'd a been a 'Nam vet, or dead...
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
we who vollie do so because we are compelled to help. help others ,help animals, help ourselves, help how and where we can. I respect those who are paid professionals in their field and I respect those of us who vol. I feel a sense of siblinghood with those who are drawn to help.
We are not such a rare breed as some think. We are everywhere. in every kind of function , you'll find at least one vollie, pitching in, helping out, waiting for the next time he or she is needed. I stand proud to be counted amongst such people and pity those who just don't understand.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

2 years on...and it's the 70th Australian Grand Prix.....of which I will have done 26 ...

This time I'm on T12 and Terry is on T5.

I think the hilight will be the F1 demonstration in central Melbourne....possibly 400,000 people...

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As an avid road race fan - I'M EXTREMELY JEALOUS!!! I have to pay top dollar to get close enough to feel the bits of hot rubber rain down on me while the sweat carries it into corners of my eyes. Only rarely can I afford to get to where I can take chances getting struck by flyin shards of metal, fiberglass and plastic. Around here you have to stand in line to volunteer for that kind of job....

Having said that, I know the drivers, their wives and families thank god for people like you and your wife. Have fun and stay safe.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think the last time I did Volunteer work was when I was in scouts. Lately now? I don't do a whole lot period. I'll probably will do some stuff eventually here once I get things established and organized.

I'm glad some people are still out doing it
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I volunteer for a local No Kill animal facility. While I do not receive much kindness from my supervisor, I receive extreme satisfaction in knowing I helped save an animals life. You have to be a volunteer for the Love of what you are doing. Not the praise it brings. As long as I am making a difference for other's, I do not care about anything else. Besides happiness comes from within.