Thoughts on The Care of Nosework Trial Volunteers, Part 1: A Parable

Once upon a time, a Volunteer Coordinator sent out word across the land: "we do not have enough volunteers to hold this nosework trial!"  Many of the villagers had enjoyed competing in trials and were grateful that others had volunteered so that they could.  And thus, after they checked their maps and found the trial was only about 2.5 hours away, they rearranged their calendars, filled their cars with $5.00 a gallon gas, set the alarm for 4am and raised their hands to volunteer.  The morning of the trial dawned early, as is their wont.  And at the volunteer briefing, the Volunteer Coordinator said "You all are so lucky -- we have so many volunteers today that some of you are going to be able to just watch!" 

But the villagers didn't feel lucky.  They glowered and muttered, saying things like "I could have gone to my grandson's championship game," and "I could have stayed in bed."

Some time later, the villagers were looking at their Facebook feeds and again they saw a call from a volunteer coordinator, saying that a trial was in desperate need of volunteers.  The helpful villagers briefly considered the distance, the cost, the plans they would need to change.  But then they remembered what had happened before; they cocked a skeptical eyebrow and scrolled on past.  

I know that Trial Hosts and VCs are volunteers, also, and I so appreciate your service!  And I know that one can do all the flow and volunteer station setting in the world  and then the day of the trial comes and the CO or Judge asks that things be done differently, or the site has somehow changed radically overnight (it happens!), or something insane happens like even more volunteers than are on your list somehow magically showing up. I know that last minute communication with a disparate group of people is difficult and that you are juggling a lot of balls already.  I would just gently ask that you use the "desperate" card judiciously.  

A suggestion: many VCs use electronic forms for sign up.  Maybe you could add a set of checkboxes that reflect how this trial fits into the volunteers plans, from "I wouldn't miss being at this trial for anything," to "I am looking forward to earning club service hours," to "If you don't really need me, I'd really love to have a 'bye' this time."   And maybe a comments area so you know your volunteers' proximity, "I live practically next door to the site" or "I'll be leaving at 4am to get there," to help in your own planning? 

Truly: thank you so much for all you do.