Volunteering in NEDiv

RSTPerformance said:
Requiring people to work an EXTRA day or weekend a year is completely rediculouse. I am saying this as someone who has worked an extra day for several years... This year I am faced with very limited time to go to the track (getting married & would love to start a family) and the desire to give it a shot at finishing well in the NARRC championship in ITB. My summer is and has been completely booked since winter (this is one of my only sorta free weekends to get my race car ready). I am scheduled to go to 4 race weekends and I am racing at all of them. If you think I should be kicked out of the club for this then good luck on your goals... I wish you and the CRB luck.

Raymond

Raymond
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Raymond, where did I say ANY of that????

I'm just reading along here thinking about options.

Also, you missed my point about it costing workers money. Ignore whatever free lunch they get, etc. (That's all great though, as it should be).

From the time Ms Grid Worker leaves her house in say Uppertown VT, drives to Lime Rock this weekend, puts on her mandated whites, (which she paid for) eats breakfast on the road (X2 or 3), sleeps in a hotel, and returns home, she's spent money for food, shelter and gas.

You might say, "Sleep in a tent", well sure there's that option, but even that requires the purchasing of a tent. WE love to drive. But even YOU said you wouldn't stand on a corner for a day. So, that begs the question, is it any wonder that others don't want to either, AND have it cost them cash? (And a Friday off from work, and a whole Saturday?)

Sure, it's up some peoples alley enough that they do it. IT7 driver Grant McStay and his wife Eileen do it, heck, they came from the flaggers side of things, but I've heard both of them make comments about getting too old for it. Younger guys and girls aren't as readily available as they once were. Times and interests change....even you are telling us how you're too busy now to race much, and certainly not work corners as extra days...it's the same for lots of others. (Remember how you guys were giving me crap that I wasn't at every event and I commented about buying a house, having less $, and more time consuming projects on the house? perspective .....)

I'm thinking about the issue, and I'll certainly pitch in with my time. (I've spent my hours in the past on national level stuff more than Regional level things) One thought I have is that I'd like to see pay/kickback/benifits (call it what you want) get better for workers. If we need 80 to staff Lime Rock, and we get a entry of 240, and every driver adds a $20 to the worker fund, that's $4,800. Or $60 in the pocket of each worker. That's NOT the entire solution, but I think it would sure help.
 
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lateapex911 said:
If we need 80 to staff Lime Rock, and we get a entry of 240, and every driver adds a $20 to the worker fund, that's $4,800. Or $60 in the pocket of each worker. That's NOT the entire solution, but I think it would sure help.
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Here's another possible angle. At Road Atlanta, they open the track up for track rides, and charge $20 per car (goes towards a Worker Fund).
 
RacerBill said:
Here's another possible angle. At Road Atlanta, they open the track up for track rides, and charge $20 per car (goes towards a Worker Fund).
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I think I've seen that at Summit, and I think NER has a version they do at NHMS. At Lime Rock though, it's a tough deal. There just isnt much time , and getting it all in is really really tight sometimes. NO racing Sunday, NO racing Friday, (10AM start, I think) mandatory late start (no engines until 9AM) and a pretty early finish (all engines OFF by 6 on Sat, minus a break/lunch hour for the workers, plus the race length requirements for Nationals (not always an issue, but..) means that things need to run smoothly just to get the races done.

When possible though, it is a lot of fun.
 
lateapex911 said:
Raymond, where did I say ANY of that????

I'm just reading along here thinking about options.

Also, you missed my point about it costing workers money. Ignore whatever free lunch they get, etc. (That's all great though, as it should be).

From the time Ms Grid Worker leaves her house in say Uppertown VT, drives to Lime Rock this weekend, puts on her mandated whites, (which she paid for) eats breakfast on the road (X2 or 3), sleeps in a hotel, and returns home, she's spent money for food, shelter and gas.

You might say, "Sleep in a tent", well sure there's that option, but even that requires the purchasing of a tent. WE love to drive. But even YOU said you wouldn't stand on a corner for a day. So, that begs the question, is it any wonder that others don't want to either, AND have it cost them cash? (And a Friday off from work, and a whole Saturday?)

Sure, it's up some peoples alley enough that they do it. IT7 driver Grant McStay and his wife Eileen do it, heck, they came from the flaggers side of things, but I've heard both of them make comments about getting too old for it. Younger guys and girls aren't as readily available as they once were. Times and interests change....even you are telling us how you're too busy now to race much, and certainly not work corners as extra days...it's the same for lots of others. (Remember how you guys were giving me crap that I wasn't at every event and I commented about buying a house, having less $, and more time consuming projects on the house? perspective .....)

I'm thinking about the issue, and I'll certainly pitch in with my time. (I've spent my hours in the past on national level stuff more than Regional level things) One thought I have is that I'd like to see pay/kickback/benifits (call it what you want) get better for workers. If we need 80 to staff Lime Rock, and we get a entry of 240, and every driver adds a $20 to the worker fund, that's $4,800. Or $60 in the pocket of each worker. That's NOT the entire solution, but I think it would sure help.
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Spot on, Jake....BTW, has anyone stayed in Lakeville, Ct or the surrounding area at a hotel lately to attend an event at LRP. $100 doesn't even come close to covering your bill per night. I have to go to Miami this week to see an MD and my bill at a Marriot will be less than one night in CT!! Last Oct I called all the hotels,etc in the area and even Lenox, Ma was $200+ per night.

In case anyone hasn't noticed, our demographics have changed and the same folks(myself included) who would stay in a tent in the rain at Loudon or LRP,etc are now 60+ years old and don't want to camp anymore. This is the same pool that are willing to work at the tracks. I remember in the late 60's/early 70's that being a corner worker was an honor and there were more workers than spots open. Now, we(as drivers) may have to foot the bill for all worker expenses in order to attract folks to work at all. Next time you are doing a warm up(or cool down) lap, check out the stations(or paddock) and look at the average age of the workers.....20 somethings?.....not? Anyone know how NASA deals with this issue?
 
Track rides.....Yes we have done them at NHMS.
We had a few people who would organize them and make it happen but now they are gone.
Now, every event someone comes to me and asks "are you giving track rides?"
My standard answer is "I'm not but if you want to put it together we can."
I'm sure I will be asked at the next event.

Next will be trophies:
When I took the position of CRB Chairman included was boxes of trophies and that job.
I don't want the trophy responsibilty and will not do it after this season.
So, unless someone steps up, that will go the way of track rides.

What kind of event can we run without T&S or tech?
It could happen!
 
ner88 said:
Next will be trophies:
When I took the position of CRB Chairman included was boxes of trophies and that job.
I don't want the trophy responsibilty and will not do it after this season.
So, unless someone steps up, that will go the way of track rides.
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This sounds like something that my minimal skill set could take on next season, particularly if I could find one other person to work with, as I do not go to every race (most, not all)

Keith Hammitte
 
Khammitte said:
This sounds like something that my minimal skill set could take on next season, particularly if I could find one other person to work with, as I do not go to every race (most, not all)

Keith Hammitte
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Keith, good luck! here are some of the choices first how much to spend? do you want plaque or bowling type, where do you get them? Try on a National first(less classes to deal with) and of course if your trophy Queen fails to show you will be wearing a Tiara and passing out after the event!! Trust me I know:D. And be prepared to deal with the "leftovers" .There is need for assistance in all tasks of putting on an event are and I'm certain your region will appreciate your help. T Weavere:eclipsee_steering:
 
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Jake... Some suggested that every driver has to work a day.

Also I agree with worker fund idea but it needs to be managed appropriatly. $20 to me is very reasonable and it should be easy to hire some locals but we need to know the exact staffing. This idea will also atract new blood. Most young people in our society don't work for free anymore but that is another debate!

If we ever do outright pay workers give them the option to put it towards entries for other Scca events be it a race, autocross, rally, convention etc.

Raymond
 
Another thought... Have we ever put adds on craigslist, radio or newspapers etc? Not sure if it in the budget but maybe instead of paying workers we need to hire a part time marketing person to manage outreach then someone could actually be held accountable to put things together.

Raymond
 
lateapex911 said:
I think I've seen that at Summit, and I think NER has a version they do at NHMS. At Lime Rock though, it's a tough deal. There just isnt much time , and getting it all in is really really tight sometimes. NO racing Sunday, NO racing Friday, (10AM start, I think) mandatory late start (no engines until 9AM) and a pretty early finish (all engines OFF by 6 on Sat, minus a break/lunch hour for the workers, plus the race length requirements for Nationals (not always an issue, but..) means that things need to run smoothly just to get the races done.

When possible though, it is a lot of fun.
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Atlanta does it during the lunch hour. This is not racing, it's touring at less than highway speeds, so does that not fall outside of the limits placed on racing? Just askin'!
 
Jerry- who do I need to talk to to put together Track Rides during lunch at Lime Rock this weekend? I have run most of them from the tower at NHIS the last few years and might be able to get a few people together to put it on during lunch. ALL proceeds go in envelopes and get raffled off to the workers. Is it you or Peter?

Raymond
 
Not sure if you are talking about worker track rides or drive arounds for anyone.
Worker rides take planning and I don't think you can get much done on short notice.
Drive arounds, not sure they are allowed at LRP.

Either way, this is really too late.
I'd be glade to talk to you about doing this at furure events but it's too late for LRP.

P.S I'm not willing to discuss the why on this forum, sorry.
 
At WgI we can't do a"Lunchtime" drive around as WGI use that time for events they have sold ie Plmouth Prowlers club Gold wing riders club Boy scouts sometimes hold a camp out at track and we try to welcome them sit in cars etc. They do ask alot of questions and they sure have engery! T Weaver
 
All this discussion about making people work honestly does little. People do not do a good job if they do not want to be there.

What we really need is a culture shift where someone who races 2-4 weekends a year wants to work a weekend or two. I understand that most people have busy lives but working an event can be fun, it can be challenging and it can give you some great insight that can make your racing events much easier.

I have always been intrigued that in road rally you have to drop one event for points and when you work one event a year you score championship points.
 
ner88 said:
I should charge more to give it back??
What do you say to the volunteer who works for free when they find out you are paying drivers??
Why do you have to bribe drivers?
It's a G..D..club, every driver is responsible for the event.
1/2 day workers, I'll put you incharge of keeping track of them and getting them to their positions.

How about you sign up for one work day a year or you don't race.

What happened to driver log books?????
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I volunteered two days to get my license and thought it is a great idea to make that part of the license.

How about adding two days along with the two races a year?
 
Volunteering

Greg,

Thank you for your very well-thought out post. Recruiting and retention have been an issue in SCCA since I began in 1979. There are, of course, no magic bullets (if there were, we'd be crawling with workers).

A lot of you expressed some tentative interest in trying out what we do. You are ALL welcome, with open arms. We love what we do and love to show it off to others. No experience necessary, trust me. If that were a requirement, I'd never have made the cut. We'll train you all along the way.

Some positions, by necessity, require you to commit to a portion of a day. (It's kinda hard to stop things to bring in a flagger because he has to come into the paddock midway through the morning). For most of us, however, we'll welcome you for whatever amount of time you can spare. Hey, your first commitment has to be to yourself and your race car. We get that.

Try diffferent specialties. I think you'll find, pretty consistantly, that we work hard, have a lot of fun, and wrap up the day with satisfaction, knowing we put our hearts and backs into it. My intention, as a worker, is to show you the ropes, give you a safe and enjoyable experience, and hope you liked it enough that you'll come back on your own, because you want to. There's no higher praise.

I'm listed in the Pit Talk directory, and welcome calls or emails: [email protected]. I love SCCA and love to get people involved. I haven't done this for 30+ years because it's a chore.

Karen Petersen
Grid chief, NER & NYR
 
Karen, welcome!

Watched you for many years on the fan side of the fence. Your one of the people that made getting on the track easier!

I will contact you about working in grid. Looks like fun!

Chris
 
Thanks, Chris! I really appreciate that. We don't do it for the thank yous, but they are sweet when they come. I'd love to share the grid experience with you, any time. As Judy said once, we have more fun than should be legal.

Karen
 
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