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Re: Why no diesel or steam at Rio Vista JCT?
Author: Erik H.
Date: 10-24-2016 - 15:07
Ward Cleaver Wrote:
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> Yeah, the volunteer base is evaporating as young
> people are interested in computer games, social
> media, and other virtual stuff.
I can't speak for either of these groups...but a bit north of there, there are a number of groups. I have tried to be a member of one, but despite my interest in being an operating volunteer, nobody has ever followed up with me.
The politics and egos at all the other groups turn me off to helping them out. Another group had its President send me a nasty e-mail because I posted something he didn't like (that was in no way derogatory, negative, or even 'rumor mill' stuff). Needless to say, he lost a potential donor and volunteer, and the only time I'll ride their trains is when they have a deal on Groupon (so I know they don't make money off of it). If your group wants volunteers or need more members, here's four simple rules to make it happen:
Rule 1 is check the ego at the door. If you are too proud to let anyone else help out, and too proud to TEACH other people your skills, then run the damn program yourself. You clearly don't need help, and if you know everything, then you can figure out how to pay for it too. If your goal is to have the volunteers basically keep people away from the trains, no wonder nobody wants the job. If you don't let the volunteers into the cab and teach them real railroading, no wonder nobody wants the job. The head honchos should be the ones directly interfacing with the public, while the new volunteers are the ones learning skills.
Rule 2 is check the politics at the door - both internal politics, and external (like Presidential election) politics. I'm doing the train thing for fun. If I wanted it to be a job, I'd just get hired on with a railroad. If I wanted to be in politics, I'd run for office, or at least volunteer with an election campaign instead. When I walk through the door of a museum my focus is on the trains. If you're wearing your political pins at a museum...you might as well put up "NO TRESPASSING" signs too.
Rule 3 is don't ever, ever turn anyone away - welcome them, encourage them, develop them. The second I walk into a museum or event, and the museum/organization big wigs are huddled around with beers in hand, backs to the public, disinterested in welcoming people, refusing to talk to people...well clearly you have things under control and don't need me involved.
Rule 4 is that your VIPs are the public, your special guests are the public. The more that you close out the public and run "special events" for "invited guests"...well then you can hit up your invited guests for money, and not the general public like myself. Clearly, you don't want or need my money or attendance.
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> Yeah, the volunteer base is evaporating as young
> people are interested in computer games, social
> media, and other virtual stuff.
I can't speak for either of these groups...but a bit north of there, there are a number of groups. I have tried to be a member of one, but despite my interest in being an operating volunteer, nobody has ever followed up with me.
The politics and egos at all the other groups turn me off to helping them out. Another group had its President send me a nasty e-mail because I posted something he didn't like (that was in no way derogatory, negative, or even 'rumor mill' stuff). Needless to say, he lost a potential donor and volunteer, and the only time I'll ride their trains is when they have a deal on Groupon (so I know they don't make money off of it). If your group wants volunteers or need more members, here's four simple rules to make it happen:
Rule 1 is check the ego at the door. If you are too proud to let anyone else help out, and too proud to TEACH other people your skills, then run the damn program yourself. You clearly don't need help, and if you know everything, then you can figure out how to pay for it too. If your goal is to have the volunteers basically keep people away from the trains, no wonder nobody wants the job. If you don't let the volunteers into the cab and teach them real railroading, no wonder nobody wants the job. The head honchos should be the ones directly interfacing with the public, while the new volunteers are the ones learning skills.
Rule 2 is check the politics at the door - both internal politics, and external (like Presidential election) politics. I'm doing the train thing for fun. If I wanted it to be a job, I'd just get hired on with a railroad. If I wanted to be in politics, I'd run for office, or at least volunteer with an election campaign instead. When I walk through the door of a museum my focus is on the trains. If you're wearing your political pins at a museum...you might as well put up "NO TRESPASSING" signs too.
Rule 3 is don't ever, ever turn anyone away - welcome them, encourage them, develop them. The second I walk into a museum or event, and the museum/organization big wigs are huddled around with beers in hand, backs to the public, disinterested in welcoming people, refusing to talk to people...well clearly you have things under control and don't need me involved.
Rule 4 is that your VIPs are the public, your special guests are the public. The more that you close out the public and run "special events" for "invited guests"...well then you can hit up your invited guests for money, and not the general public like myself. Clearly, you don't want or need my money or attendance.
