What encourages you/discourages to volunteer at events

I don't volunteer for events but have done some writing for BD competitions.

I expect to be offered food and drink, and to be treated politely. I can honestly say I always have been, and have felt appreciated for what I've done.

I would never expect to get free entries, but I think it would be nice to have a volunteer's discount, where appropriate.

I think for dressage scribing, the judges can really make a difference. I've had some that are very friendly and talkative, who explain what they see. You can learn so much from scribing for them, and they make it worth your time. Then there are others who hardly say two words to you, and you wonder why on earth you bother.
 
I have volunteered quite a lot in the past but an old dog who cannot be left for too long makes it more difficult now. What would make a difference to me is having opportunities to volunteer in 2 hour slots. This is not just for horse activities but general volunteering, most places want a time committment that I just can't give. I think most of us could find 2 hours if asked.
 
For the last 5 years I have only done 1 BE event, a rather large one beginning of September :) they are really good, good communication and a nice thank you letter, I get tickets for 4 days for two people, members parking and the day I work for them I get a nice good morning and refreshments and Lunch provided and a nice thank you for our help at the end of the day, what more can I ask for........... I did do a number of smaller BE events, but they do take alot of your time and with working full time it made it a rather short weekend, so I ended up giving them up.
 
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The main thing which puts me off is that I am always competing so if I help afterwards then I feel bad for my horse standing about at the trailer all day on his own. If they offered me a stable or something then would be fine (but cant expect that!). I have helped at quite a few PC / RC things but always seem to be put on the job as tack checker which is horrid on a really cold, wet windy day. Fence judged at my local BE event twice (before I began competing at it) and must admit was treated well, gave us nice food and were always checking on us to make sure we didnt need a toilet break etc. They were extremely thankful too which is nice. Working full time means I dont have much of a weekend as it is especially if one day is spent competing.

I personally would offer to help far more often at things like BE if it paid my entry fee for example!
 
I used to help at a RC event and we got a sherry when we met for the judge's briefing and a small bottle of wine with our lunch pack - happy days.

As above really, one event I was SJ steward I don't think I got any food and I kept all the competitors to time all day. I think the organisers had forgotton to cater for all the helpers, presumably we were so thrilled to be seeing all the local names competiting!

A visit from the organiser is a good idea, and also if you have a boring fence, to be able to swap between classes with another one. All sorts of ages and abilities are helpers so a schooling session wouldn't interest some people, but maybe a choice of a small thank you would be nice, but not necessary if well looked after during the day.
 
tiggs said:
What would make a difference to me is having opportunities to volunteer in 2 hour slots. This is not just for horse activities but general volunteering, most places want a time committment that I just can't give. I think most of us could find 2 hours if asked.
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I really enjoy volunteering but time commitment is my main problem too.
One event that I have volunteered at a couple of times does half days (I presume most others do this too?)
As we don't have any events close to us, doing a half day is still a long, full day for me once I factor in doing/riding the horses too and all the travelling.
I get so few days off and have so much that I want to do with them!

So the biggest draw for me would be an event that could create an extra day in the week - I'd volunteer there all the time :D
 
I help out at as many of my local BE events as I can on the day's I'm not competing and I have to say that the one that stands far above the rest for looking after their volunteers is Thornton Watlass. Last year they gave us bacon butties and tea/coffee on arival, a very good packed lunch and regular hot and/or cold drinks throughout the day. On top of this we were given a very large spread of tea/coffee, cakes etc at the end of the day alonng with a large plate of home made shortbread each to take home, followed up by a thank you letter and invite to a coctail party later in the year. We were also given a discount if we wanted to go xc schooling the week after.

I really don't think any of us were expecting quite so much but it was very much appreciated by all involved and ensures that many will be returning again this weekend, I will be...both as a volunteer and competitor. :)
 
i have done Little Mattingly and Big Burgie for a couple of years, this year at Burgie I didnt get to see the XC course as was either dress writing for CIC* or stewarding the 90-novice SJ. But I have to say every competitors was lovely to me and I try to smile and be cheery all day but your brain quikly turns to fudge!!

At events, as long as I am fed and watered (well coffee) then I am happy, anything else is a bonus. Schooling/entry vouchers are useless to me as mine doesnt do much competing.

Maybe organisers of they want more riders to volunteer is offer stabling for their horse for the day, if there is stabling present. maybe offer 1/2 days to people as well especially when it is a long day when there are family and pets to see too.
 
I am a competitor and put myself on the volunteer list. Was approached by an event organiser and agreed to fence judge. Turned up at 8am (having paid someone else to do my horses for the day) to be greeted by the event organiser who told me that "actually we don't need you now". Enough to make me take my name off the list.

Have been scoreboard writer, fence judge, time keeper and score collector in the past. Most organisers very grateful for your help.
 
I used to volunteer at BE in years gone by. Had a mixture of days out.

Thoroughly appreciate the good food that was provided by most events, and the tea/cake wagon runs that people did.

I totally agree with boring fences, but someone has to do them. I did several first fences which are always nice easy ones to get people going. The good thing there is you see everyone start out. You do occasionally get the odd horse who wants to take no part in the game and spends half a minute getting to the first fence. When I was on the first fences my timing point was when the horse came out of the box - this meant that the starters had a check should something happen on their timing.

What I really disliked was the way some competitors treated us. Whilst alot would say hello when they were walking the course, some would get annoyed when you blew your whistle and asked them to move off the course - they must all surely know what the whistles mean. Also competitors questioning when you've given them penalties, had a couple of them come up to me after they've completed and remonstrated that it wasn't them!!

I remember stopping a couple of people due to holds on course, they were always courteous and would be quite chatty - as they now you've got the radios etc.

I think volunteering is one of those jobs where when you are treated well, even if you've had a long day you come away feeling good. However if it's been pouring with rain, the organisers have pretty much forgotten about you and you barely get a thanks when you hand your stuff in it really makes you wonder if you want to do it again.
 
I have volunteered at a number of events in the South East over the past 4 years. They have all treated me well and I would go back (Nurstead, Pulborough and Munstead) all have been fab and I wouldn't think twice about helping them again.

The riding club I am affiliated to also organises an annual championship qualifier in the South East. Apparently this year a small number of the entrants shouted and swore at the tack check stewards (I assume because they were queried) unfortunately the stewards did not realise they had the power to eliminate these entrants.

I think that with any BE / RC event it should be made clear to stewards/helpers that if you get any competitor that behaves unreasonably, the steward has the power to take their number with a view to them being disqualified.
 
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