There is principle that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. That won't work on a car assembly line, everyone has a job and if 80% of them didn't really do their job, it would be like American Motors in 1975, when parts fell off of the cars on the showroom floor because no one put the screws in. It sometimes happens in offices. It happens often in volunteer groups. In fact it is probably even more extreme, with 10% of the volunteers doing 90% of the work. I have done a lot of the work over the years.
There is a saying, if you want to get a job done, find a busy person and ask them to do it. There is a grain of truth in this, a busy person who gets things done, and not just looks busy, but knows how to get things done. How to organize a project, how to put aside the hours and be productive. That has often been me.
So what is a good volunteer made of?
They show up, even if it is inconvenient.
If they say they are going to do it, they deliver.
If they are critical of the work that is being done, they are willing to take on the task of doing it better.
They are not concerned with their name on the project. They want to see the work get done.
They don't need another listing on their resume, they want to see things done.
They accept the work of others, even if it is not the way they would have done it.
If they ask others for help, they are clear in what they want done.
If there are no instructions, all work that was done is just what was asked for - in fact more than what was asked for.
Good volunteers, burn out. They need time off. They need to be supported. Recently I have been deep in several volunteer responsibilities, and at times wondering why I do this.
Friday's Hanging.
Every few weeks, I spend several hours on a Friday morning at a hanging. It is exhausting, three or four hours on my feet, double checking details, trying to make sure we get the names right. I have a volunteer who helps with the hanging, he is really good at it, he has been doing this for decades. In the end, it is nice to look at it, and see a job well hung.
Another major art show on the walls.
And it looks like some beautiful artwork.
ReplyDeleteSome of it is brilliant
DeleteI used to believe in the ask a busy person if you want something done. What I subsequently learnt is that they might do what is required, but often don't do it very well, with a lack of attention to the finer details and accuracy.
ReplyDeleteThe artwork looks quite exciting.
And yet, we keep asking the same person to do the work.
DeleteHaving worked in an art gallery in another life I can attest to how much work is involved; so many details to get right.
ReplyDeleteBut in the end it's worth it.
It is fun show. I have one more to do, then a couple of shows done by other people. Then onto the new schedule.
DeleteI was one of those good volunteers for quite a few years in the LGBTQ+ and women's communities. Your comments about volunteerism are right on, LOL! Now I'm retired from active volunteering. I've done my part, made my contributions, given back to my communities. It's up to others to carry on now.
ReplyDeleteI will reach that point in a few short years.
DeleteThe art exhibit looks really great. I have a volunteer group that I have been working with since my retirement. I used to do more for them but now I do less because I found out that whatever I did to help (and I often offered to pitch in) was usually redone so why bother doing it? I still do a bit but now I have other activities that take up more of my time. I don't feel guilty about that because I tried.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my spine rebuilt, I had to take a few weeks off, and I delegated work to others in the office, and then second guessed everything. My boss called me and said, "stop it, they won't make anymore mistakes than you did. Delegate and trust, delegate and praise the work that is done." I learned so much from that.
DeleteI see a lot of excellent work on that wall! Nice job hanging it all.
ReplyDeleteSome of the big paintings are really good.
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