Not Recognised.

[paulhurd]

I think that many people do many hours of voluntary work and yet it has only just started to be recognised with the volunteer bureau etc.

does any one think that we need a specific recognition programme for Trampolining and gymnastics or is there one that i have not heard of yet.

[Anita]

Volunteers are always the "unsung heroes" with many clubs being run by volunteers. I know that awards are given down our way to volunteers because two from a club near us got them last year: no money involved but more in the way of recognition.

Definition of a volunteer: Someone who hasn't learned to string two certain words together : "Sorry - No" !!:D :D

[DJC]

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for many volunteers :)

[Sian]

Many of us owe it to volunteers, and there isn't enough to be done to recognise these people.

[Helen Webb]

Hi

On that note, any ideas as to what should be done to recognise volunteers and to encourage more people to volunteer?

[Sian]

I know that awards are given down our way to volunteers because two from a club near us got them last year: no money involved but more in the way of recognition.
Awards are good ideas.

[Dave]

In my opinon volunteers are great but they really come into the own when they enjoy what they are doing.... Thats why its sometimes difficult to find volunteers as some people generally aren't interested in what they are volunteering for and can cause more hassle than good..........

[Laura]

I would be posting as a proud volunteer but after I had started coaching I discovered they actually pay us! :) It was a bonus coz I was quite happy to do it voluntarily!

xxx

[Sian]

Yeah same here... We dont get paid much, but none of the coaches complain, they do it because they love it! Money doesn't matter when its something that they want to do because they enjoy it.

[Laura]

Yeah, it's only a small amount but no-one complains! We all love doing it! Man, if it wasn't for these exams I'd be coaching every night of the week! I love it (plus I get extra practise in the gym inbetween sessions! :D )

xxx

[Sian]

We only have a very small club that use a local sports hall... so even if i could, there isnt anyone to coach every night of the week!! As for training, well my forward rolls are getting better!! :D Lol hopefully in a few months i'll be up walking again, and forward rolls will be a thing of the past, like they were 11 years ago!!

[Laura]

Well a forward roll is better than nothing! Loving the signature btw Sian!

[paulhurd]

I agree, i volunteered for the two years while i was been trained and i do voluntary work now, trampolining is great and in competitions all people are there voluntarily at one competition once all the volunteers were asked to stand up and the audience applauded, which wasd a nice sign of recognition

[Sian]

Well a forward roll is better than nothing! Loving the signature btw Sian!
Lol I'm getting there!! So many people have commented on the fact I cant walk, "How can you be a gymnast if you cant walk?" but no one ever said they did have to be able to!!

As for volunteers, they should be recognised. Not enough is done for them and yet they do so much for us.

[Anita]

Although I'm not a coach I am a volunteer - I not only help out at out club with admin, newsletters, organising competitions and their website I got elected onto the Regional Technical Committee for sports acro. Everything I do for the club and region is purely voluntary and know that it is appreciated by the clubs but I don't think the majority of parents realise just how much time & effort volunteers (be they coaches or helpers in other ways) put in.

At a competition I'd helped organise in February I came across a real ******** of parent who was really nasty and argumentative about have to pay for a yearly photography permit (just £2 and he would only need to apply once a year). One of his arguments was about the policing of photography - at three competitions he'd recently attended (two friendlies & a County one). I tried to explain that they weren't organised or run by the region which is what the yearly permit was for (although available for use at friendlies & County etc). He'd have none of it.

Eventually I managed to explain that all the organisers and helpers were volunteers and we needed more - I told him to put his money where his mouth was and volunteer to help police the permits if he felt that strongly. Guess what? Yes, you're right - he didn't.

I think volunteers are frequently unsung heroes and deserve recognition - even if the award is only a piece of paper just the fact that what they do is appreciated is something.

[Gingerheid]

Helen, It's a great pity that many volunteers won't be able to make any suggestions regarding suitable recognition in this forum, many of them won't be BG members... :(

Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

[Laura]

Helen, It's a great pity that many volunteers won't be able to make any suggestions regarding suitable recognition in this forum, many of them won't be BG members... :(

Sorry. Couldn't help myself.
Lol, good point tho Gingerheid!

xxx

[DJC]

There are some volunteers registered to BG around :) I'm hoping some of them will register here soon.

[Sian]

Gingerheid, dont apologise!! All you were doing was making a valid point. The best people to ask regarded recognition would be the volunteers themselves.

[Sarah]

I'm at a club where everyone involved is a volunteer. None of the 17 coaches (including two HPCs) are paid or anyone else. The club uses all the fees to pay for coaching courses and new equipment plus hire of the gym. Many of the coaches work full time as well as coaching 4+ times a week. I know this is similar to many other clubs. It's volunteers who make the sport the success that it is so well done to them all!

[DJC]

Whitbread Young Achievers (http://www.british-gymnastics.org/cms/publish/article_576.shtml)
For volunteers between 16 & 25.