Volunteers in Rochdale.

teamplayer2 Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:55 pm

It is typical of Rochdale with a few groups. They want people to volunteer and want help. Some groups have members who are getting older and want new blood to come in.

Yet with one group I offered to give my services and my time to help them out. For two years of the last three I have given notice I will be available. Do they contact you? No they do not. Then they complain that they are struggling to get volunteers.

Again the clique of the group when they get the volunteers do not like them getting involved, or they are too posh to speak to the volunteers. A question of they are not part of their gang. Then they moan why volunteers do not get back to them. I would not care to mention this, but I have heard this from other people before.

Before long they will say in the local media that they may have to stop and fold because they do not get volunteers. If you think about it in a lot of cases they have only themselves to blame and the clique cannot get it in their heads the reasons why.

I am not saying all groups are the same, but I have heard this said about some groups. Then they complain the volunteers do not come back.

I have heard this said before about some groups in Rochdale.

Atlas Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:48 am

Yes you are correct TP2. So - some advice from one who knows. First - remember that you are entering 'their' world not yours. Second - keep a low profile and DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH ANY POLITICS that are going on. Third - keep your own counsel until you have weighed up all concerned and don't 'outwardly' take sides.
Fourth - Don't let them down by arriving late or not turning up as agreed. And lastly - take a pride in the job and do it well - just because you are not getting paid and giving 'them'/'organisation' your time free does not entitle you to some special privilege or position. Remember - many of them will have been doing just that for 'YEARS' and will undoubtedly have more experience and nounce than will you.
Maybe then you too will become part of the 'clique'. Wink

Hinch Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:19 am

And don't think that by giving your time and skills that people are going to be queuing up to thank you.. They are usually too busy with the task in hand. Some volunteers I know think that the organisation was set up merely to help them kill a few hours.

I am now involved in volunteering for three different organisations and feel very valued plus I am thoroughly enjoying it. A lot of it is to do with the attitude you take with you. Leave york paranoia and prejudices at all the front door.

teamplayer2 Sat Aug 17, 2013 1:59 pm

I do some voluntary work Atlas and met some very nice people on the way. Like I said some groups not all.

One group that horrified me is when I wanted to join a group because of an hobby I wanted to take up and learn more. Nothing wrong in that. Then a couple of members who informed me about one particular member who came and found the person strange, not with it and added a few other things. Then one mentioned they had arrived and pointed the person out to me. Turns out the person involved had Learning Disabilities and had a Support Worker with them.

Never went back and not long ago heard they were screaming out for new members. Of course with attitudes like a couple of members had, it will come back to haunt them in the end.

Atlas Sun Aug 18, 2013 12:46 am

It's never easy lad. Personalities often get in the way of rationalities much to the detriment of all concerned and that of the organisation. I have recently had to pick up the pieces of such a situation which all but 'killed off' the raison d'etre of the organisation concerned. It will never be the same again (some would say 'thank God for that') and as such will move forward on a slightly different tack than that originally envisaged. It is now part private/ part public and stands a much better chance for the future. Man is such an idiot at times and can't see the harm he does until it's too late. And for what -? Personal satisfaction. So infantile and unintelligent. Sad. Sad

teamplayer2 Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:15 pm

Atlas I supported one person to go and help out at a Railway group preservation society. The person involved has a disabilty. I remember one official making a comment that such people should not be helping our here.

I reported that official and he was dealt with. We got a full apology. It is such a shame when you come across people who cannot keep their york paranoia and prejudices at home even in a railway group.

Though I must admit it was dealt with rather quickly at the time. It just takes one to spoil it for the rest, but get a few and could kill the group once it gets round. It could even stop any grants that a group may go for. For some they do not see to reason until it is to late.

Sad but it happens.

Atlas Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:00 am

Having had literally hundreds of volunteers around me for the past thirty odd years I have come to one conclusion - Man is an idiot and far less intelligent than he/she professes to be. Believe or believe it not the main reason such incidents happen stems from selfishness and ignorance. Why someone who is ostensibly trying to be 'helpful' should suffer from such a malady seems totally ridiculous - but it is so. The ignorance part comes from conceit. It's the 'I know better than everyone else' and as such I want my own way syndrome'. Both are fatal to volunteer groups but do occur very regularly in all organisations. In a sense they are like families - some don't like each other but in the main make the effort to get on for the good of all, whilst others cause mayhem. Tsh - don't you just despair at times??????????? Rolling Eyes

Hinch Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:41 am

teamplayer2 wrote:I do some voluntary work Atlas and met some very nice people on the way. Like I said some groups not all.

One group that horrified me is when I wanted to join a group because of an hobby I wanted to take up and learn more. Nothing wrong in that. Then a couple of members who informed me about one particular member who came and found the person strange, not with it and added a few other things. Then one mentioned they had arrived and pointed the person out to me. Turns out the person involved had Learning Disabilities and had a Support Worker with them.

Never went back and not long ago heard they were screaming out for new members. Of course with attitudes like a couple of members had, it will come back to haunt them in the end.

Why do you always seem to encounter these issues TP? Do you expect too much perhaps? Or maybe your ideals are a bit too high?

We had a chap a bit like you on the organisation I belong to that is trying to save a local library. He was ranting and raving about two of our members. Turns out he wasn't even a member himself!

Maybe he just likes aggro? Personally, I think he needs to lighten up a bit. We all have to adapt to the world we live in from time to time.

I am an official carer for a young man with profound educational special needs. Sometimes he attracts the odd look because he looks a bit different or perhaps the odd comment here and there. Often its just people being naturally curious with no malice aforethought.

I grew up in a world in which terms such as 'spaz', `wog', 'queer' and 'mong' were in common use but we live and we learn. My friend will never be 'normal' and will always look a bit odd but we have learned that the best way to gain respect and acceptance is to try to fit in and bend with the wind rather than look for windmills to tilt at.

teamplayer2 Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:45 am

I was only talking about a minority of groups not the majority . I was in a group for years. I just pointing at those that are going under through lack of volunteers and what other people mentioned to me about it. Anyway never mind Hinch life does carry on and off to a few shows this next month and out with friends this next week and may start my Christmas shopping a little early this year. May visit a rail museum this next few weeks and take one of those trains trips soon with a first class meal. with my good wife.

Have a good day.

TP.

Hinch Wed Aug 21, 2013 5:57 am

I always wanted to do the Northern Belle with high class onboard dining. Been on the ELR in one of those pretend Pullman coaches for a wine and dine evening but was not impressed. Food a bit bog standard and wines were of the Blossom Hill variety. More like Brewers Fayre than the Orient Express.

I highly recommend The Sidings Hotel near York at Shipton by Beningbrough. A hotel made up of 6 real Pullman coaches. Four poster beds and right beside East Coast main line. Great food and a trackside veranda to sip your after-dinner malt whisky on.

We went a few years ago on our anniversary but visit was marred slightly as Mrs H forgot to pack all my clothes plus there was a national rail strike on.

Chill37 Wed Aug 21, 2013 7:21 am

teamplayer2 wrote:I was only talking about a minority of groups not the majority . I was in a group for years. I just pointing at those that are going under through lack of volunteers and what other people mentioned to me about it. Anyway never mind Hinch life does carry on and off to a few shows this next month and out with friends this next week and may start my Christmas shopping a little early this year. May visit a rail museum this next few weeks and take one of those trains trips soon with a first class meal. with my good wife.

Have a good day.

TP.

Get yourself over to York Rail Museum and you will catch a glimpse of all the remaining Mallard Classes in one place.

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