Putting the work first

Oct 12, 2007

It’s pretty difficult to say anything bad about volunteers.

We owe a debt of gratitude to that overworked minority of the population who provide the majority of community events. They do this without monetary gain, indeed often making personal sacrifices and occasionally shelling out their own money.

That said, not all volunteers are created equal. Some help, some hinder and some drive others away. Some get things done efficiently while others bog things down with too many last-minute ideas, while still others get things done without bothering to consult anyone else. There are those who simply want to do their part and those who engage in power struggles. Volunteering attracts many good and selfless people, but it also has a way of attracting big fish in little ponds, who like to have things their own way.

What brought this thought to mind? The ongoing saga of the Bonfield First Spike committee.

There is never enough volunteer energy to meet a community’s needs, much less to waste on power struggles lasting months. When the mass resignation of the First Spike committee occurred in August, it might have been easy to sympathize with the committee members, and put the blame directly on councillor Yvon Foisy’s leadership.

Subsequent events, however, paint a different picture, with ‘paint’ being the operative word.

The old committee resigned and a new set of volunteers stepped up to take their place, and the old caboose has already gotten a fresh coat of paint. Foisy does not appear to have hindered this effort. For some, the success of the project must have outweighed the need for drama, theatrics and gestures.

That is what people often forget but really need to remember about serving on a committee. The work is the important thing, and you have to work together. It’s counterproductive to play the blame game and try to force other people out.

One must also consider that the only reward volunteers get is a good feeling. If you find yourself getting angry or frustrated, or you notice others feeling that way, then something is wrong. Pointing fingers does no good. You have to look within yourself to understand your own feelings. Personal experience says that people who clash on committees often see their own faults in each other.

People today don’t volunteer as much as their parents or grandparents did. They need incentive and the best incentive is that they are going to have fun and make friends, not add to their stress. That means getting along and getting things done.

Best of luck to members of the new First Spike committee, who appear to value their work above personal differences. May they have much success.

For the rest of us, it might be interesting to note that the first people who step up when something needs doing are not necessarily always the best people.

A.C.