Calling all NON GeekSquaders
-
Topic created by FredR on Thu Nov 11, 2010 at 12:32 pmOK, so I'm going to get back on my soapbox yet again, and plead for more club members to help pick up the load for running epunch equipment. While there's many other important things that have to get done at each event, getting people to run the epunch continues to stand out as a big pain in the neck for EDs.Kathy U recently posted a specific invitation to train people at the next event and I haven't seen (at least from the eboard) a lot of interest in taking her up on the offer. And, although I know why he did it, its too bad Tom O aimed his request for Fair Hill help at the "GeekSquaders" -- perpetuating the idea that only select "geeks" should be doing the job.Relying on a handful of people to be available to run epunch at each event is a stress EDs don't need and is unfair to the few people doing it. Some people feel there is a general problem with disparities in volunteer effort across the club and therefore epunch is not alone in its problems. But the much smaller pool of willing and able epunch help simply amplifies these problems.Hey, its a cushy desk job and you get to meet lots of interesting people--what isn't there to like! Stop by, get a quick lesson at your next event, and become part of the solution.
-
Reply by Tom-O on Fri Nov 12, 2010 at 10:50 pmFred:
Sorry for addressing my help request only to the "Geek Squadders." I agree that we need to get more people trained in using the e-punch equipment and many more volunteers are needed in this area. Overall, it takes fewer volunteers to run an e-punch event than a non e-punch event but the one area where volunteers are absolutely required is for running the e-punch equipment.
The event director needs to have firm commitments from volunteers ahead of time for e-punch duty. It is too critical a role to leave unstaffed and then hope that someone will show up the day of the event to help.
People have stepped up for the Fair Hill event so I should be okay for Sunday. But in order to prevent burnout down the road, we need to recruit some new faces to staff the e-punch computer at future events.
-
Reply by Sswede on Sat Nov 13, 2010 at 11:49 amWe've been talking about this for a while now and I still think it would be a great idea to have an e-punch training class at the winter meeting. I can't remember if we did this before but it can't hurt to do it again (or every year for that matter). I for one would like to learn more about it. Each time I've helped at the computer something has come up which I didn't know how to fix (like at Tyler when there's 15 people in line...yikes!), needing someone else more experienced than me to help out, and sometimes that person isn't readily available. That doesn't' make it a cush job for me but instead leads me to not want to volunteer for it again! It would be great to learn how to set up and troubleshoot while not at a live event. I would really appreciate a training course at the winter meeting.
-
Reply by Sandy on Sat Nov 13, 2010 at 7:36 pmI was planning to run an epunch workshop at the winter meeting. Do we have a date and time yet for the winter meeting?
-
Reply by rgbortz on Sun Nov 14, 2010 at 11:45 pmTraining at the winter meeting is great.............for those who are bent more towards the real Geeksquaders. I, for one, would like to be trained in the operation of the laptop for epunch events, if only to have a backup present at events and to be of more help to event directors when they ask me questions when requesting the equipment. However, people like me who truely are NON Geeksquaders need much more personal attention than will be possible at the winter meeting. A tag team of trainers who are willing to spend the HOURS it is going to require to train my type , I believe, will be required to make the pipedream of having the numbers of operators some are looking for come true. I know how many years it would take me to teach you how to build buildings the way I can. How long will it take you to teach me to understand computers the way you do ? TIME is the most difficult obstacle to negotiate in this "modern" world. How do we covince people we can find the time and get more of us to say "Yes, I want to help" ?
-
Reply by Sswede on Mon Nov 15, 2010 at 9:21 amHaven't heard about a date for the meeting yet but I'm excited to hear the plan for an epunch training session.
I was hoping it might provide an opportunity to explain in general how the software works, as well as how to set up and troubleshoot. I also need basic stuff, like what is a "splitter" and knowing that things like text files exist to provide info on how to program courses. I think this will add to my comfort level when manning the system in the field.
-
Reply by FredR on Mon Nov 15, 2010 at 10:23 amI think we should make some epunch instruction part of the full meeting agenda and not just an early/optional session. We took time a year or two ago to get everyone up to speed on the ranking system, and I think a general knowledge of epunch operation is just as essential. That won't allow actual hands-on training, but with a projector we could show all the actual operations on the laptop.
-
Reply by Sandy on Mon Nov 15, 2010 at 10:36 amWhile a general explanation is good, nothing beats hands-on learning. My plan was to simulate all aspects of an event - bring several laptops, the epunch units and go through everything from programming controls to setting up the computers to registering folks, "running" a course and downloading, etc.
There's room for both this hands-on session and a more general explanation during the general meeting.
