Sometimes the fact that we're an all-volunteer bike shop means that there's no incentive for people not to wait 'til the last minute to realize that they're going to be late for a shift or flake entirely.
The only fix I can think of is social cohesion. positive feedback and respect from other volunteers for being awesome when you are and such. but that doesn't seem to stop people from flaking.
What positive methods have y'all found that do work?
Angel York
Speaking of positive feedback: Darin, Jason, Jonathan, Robbie, Sarah: I know you're on this listserv. YOU'RE AWESOME. thanks for keepin' our lil' shop a-runnin'. And thanks to all y'all think tankers for making other places awesome, too.
The only suggestion I could suggest would be to promote accountability "partners" (or "triads" or other multiple configurations). The idea being that there is more than one person accountable for a given task. Accountability partners can support one another at their given task and that way there is no last minute emergency - the partner would (theoretically) "know" who was to accomplish what.
Just an idea.
However, if you're like my space and don't have quite the manpower to go double, then idk!
On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 4:43 PM, Angel York aniola@gmail.com wrote:
Sometimes the fact that we're an all-volunteer bike shop means that there's no incentive for people not to wait 'til the last minute to realize that they're going to be late for a shift or flake entirely.
The only fix I can think of is social cohesion. positive feedback and respect from other volunteers for being awesome when you are and such. but that doesn't seem to stop people from flaking.
What positive methods have y'all found that do work?
Angel York
Speaking of positive feedback: Darin, Jason, Jonathan, Robbie, Sarah: I know you're on this listserv. YOU'RE AWESOME. thanks for keepin' our lil' shop a-runnin'. And thanks to all y'all think tankers for making other places awesome, too.
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
we are also a volunteer only organization, and i do not speak for our organization but strictly on behalf of myself and my interpretations and opinion.
The best way to handle this problem from my perspective is the distribution of power and responsibility. Flake I feel is due to a lack of incentive, not just because they are not being paid or have specific obligations, but because people feel often just a "volunteer". Depending on the size of your shop this can be easier/harder for you and your organization. We have started having regular shop coordination meetings which i feel has done quite a bit to really push the point that the fate of the organization andt he direction of the organization is directly related to the commitment of its volunteers and their ideas.
also, if people are flaking then maybe there is something else they would be interested in doing that could benefit the shop and would rekindle their inspiration and enthusiasm? screenprinting shirts, making stickers and buttons, organizing shows/benefits, being awesome, cooking food. A volunteer run shop is difficult because often times people are volunteering to do things they don't really wanna do.... maybe just asking people if there are things they WANT to do, and allowing them the ability to explore those possibilities.
Everything is circumstantial and your experience may vary, but just my .02 cents! would love to talk more about it if interested.
ryan troy bike rescue
On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 4:50 PM, Allison outpaki.standing@gmail.com wrote:
The only suggestion I could suggest would be to promote accountability "partners" (or "triads" or other multiple configurations). The idea being that there is more than one person accountable for a given task. Accountability partners can support one another at their given task and that way there is no last minute emergency - the partner would (theoretically) "know" who was to accomplish what.
Just an idea.
However, if you're like my space and don't have quite the manpower to go double, then idk!
On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 4:43 PM, Angel York aniola@gmail.com wrote:
Sometimes the fact that we're an all-volunteer bike shop means that there's no incentive for people not to wait 'til the last minute to realize that they're going to be late for a shift or flake entirely.
The only fix I can think of is social cohesion. positive feedback and respect from other volunteers for being awesome when you are and such. but that doesn't seem to stop people from flaking.
What positive methods have y'all found that do work?
Angel York
Speaking of positive feedback: Darin, Jason, Jonathan, Robbie, Sarah: I know you're on this listserv. YOU'RE AWESOME. thanks for keepin' our lil' shop a-runnin'. And thanks to all y'all think tankers for making other places awesome, too.
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Hi Angel,
Attached are some notes from a Martin Cowling's volunteer management workshop that indirectly address your question. Martin presented about the general characteristics of volunteers from each of the generations. He specifically talked about where to find volunteers from each generation, their motivation to volunteer, and what type of work they prefer. Thinking about volunteer recruitment, training, retention, and recognition specific to each generation appears to help us.
Take care,
Andy
Andy Greif, Executive Director
Community Bicycle Center
Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford
Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005
207-282-9700 (shop) 207-229-8199 (cell)
www.communitybike.net
"Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow"
From: thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org [mailto:thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org] On Behalf Of Angel York Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 4:43 PM To: The Think Tank Subject: [TheThinkTank] Volunteer Accountability
Sometimes the fact that we're an all-volunteer bike shop means that there's no incentive for people not to wait 'til the last minute to realize that they're going to be late for a shift or flake entirely.
The only fix I can think of is social cohesion. positive feedback and respect from other volunteers for being awesome when you are and such. but that doesn't seem to stop people from flaking.
What positive methods have y'all found that do work?
Angel York
Speaking of positive feedback: Darin, Jason, Jonathan, Robbie, Sarah: I know you're on this listserv. YOU'RE AWESOME. thanks for keepin' our lil' shop a-runnin'. And thanks to all y'all think tankers for making other places awesome, too.
participants (4)
-
Allison -
Andy Greif -
Angel York -
ryan jenkins