What to expect from Volunteering

MrsManda

Hammyman wrote: »

What is wrong with carpark marshalling? I've done it at car shows and had a great time doing it - you just have to have a short chat with people as they come in. You won't be marshalling for the entire event and you'll get time to wander round and enjoy what is going on. I had such a laugh doing it the first year that I specifically volunteer for car park duty.

I agree, but I think whether you like this kind of thing is dependent on how you approach it. I volunteer at an annual event and though my role isn't carpark marshalling I generally arrive earlier than I need to for my role so that I can help out with the carpark. I enjoy the chance to chat to people and provide the first point of contact for the attendees.

A willingness to do what needs to be done, as well as being fun, also allows you to build a reputation so that if you do want to be more involved you are likely to get that opportunity.

tim123456789

Hammyman wrote: »

How naive you are. The reality is a complete 180 from your view.

I didn't want to do this because I don't want to give the impression that I started this to try to direct traffic to someone else's post (which i am not).

But as you have been less that polite I will.

Go take a look at the opportunities offered by this post: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3388774 and you will see that it offers exactly the type of thing that I was expecting, in fact more so

tim

tim123456789

Hammyman wrote: »

Sorry, but your version isn't voluntary work. You are wanting someone to pay for a day out with minimal effort from you doing what you want in the spotlight getting the glory. If everyone just did what they wanted, these events would not happen.

What is wrong with carpark marshalling? I've done it at car shows and had a great time doing it - you just have to have a short chat with people as they come in. You won't be marshalling for the entire event and you'll get time to wander round and enjoy what is going on. I had such a laugh doing it the first year that I specifically volunteer for car park duty.

Where dd I say anything about expecting someone to pay. I specifically said that I never expected there to be any money involved. It is me who is doing the paying and I don't think it unreasonable to expect something back for that. And there's nothing wrong with car park marsahalling except the 15 pound fare involved to get there. And I don't mind so much if the event is non commercial but the one that I am looking at at the moment is not. It is a commercial operation expecting to pocket a profit.tim

tim123456789

smileylondongal wrote: »

I think that unless you're prepared to undertake a regular voluntary role rather than 'one off's' the likelihood of taking on a role with more variety will be slim. Often volunteers fill the gaps and undertake activities that full time staff or regular volunteers can't do for whatever reason. I still think there are things you can get out of it, but I'm thinking more on an altruistic and social basis rather than freebies, etc.

There are some charities that I am looking at helping on an altruistic basis. But it's difficult to see any altruistic motive in helping a commercial company run a profit making event.

tbourner

I know that marshalling at race tracks (as that's the only thing I've looked into) you have to start at the bottom - sweeping up litter and car parks etc. Then once you've done a few races you go up, through ticket booth type stuff, then once you've been there a few years you get to go trackside and wave flags. I'd hoped I could go straight in and be given some headphones and a flag and start waving but you have to work your way up the same as any job (paid or not).
I guess it's the same anywhere.

I work for Huskies in Need as a volunteer and we're always looking for people to help out with fundraisers and stuff as well as more dog related things like transport and homechecking. Not saying you have to give us a call but if you're interested in a particular field or subject then find out what charities there are related to it - especially young startup charities - they'll be glad of any help I'd imagine.

Hammyman

tim123456789 wrote: »

Go take a look at the opportunities offered by this post: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3388774 and you will see that it offers exactly the type of thing that I was expecting, in fact more so

tim

Indeed it does but the roles on that link that you think you'd get will be given to those who have done it before and put the time in. Newcomers get the jobs people don't want to do.

Hammyman

tim123456789 wrote: »

Where dd I say anything about expecting someone to pay.

Of course someone pays unless the equipment, transportation costs and the cost of the place are free. Don't know about you but I don't know many petrol stations giving out free fuel.

smileylondongal

tim123456789 wrote: »

There are some charities that I am looking at helping on an altruistic basis. But it's difficult to see any altruistic motive in helping a commercial company run a profit making event.

I see what you mean. I always think volunteering is more about charities, education etc, but hadn't thought re the commercial side of things. It does seem this particular type of volunteering is very rare though.