Bob - good diplomatic explanation!

73, Ken Ernandes N2WWD

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From: Robert Bruninga bruninga@usna.edu Sent: Jul 18, 2008 9:14 AM To: AMSAT-BB@AMSAT.Org Subject: [amsat-bb] How volunteerism works...

Again we see lots and lots of ideas of what "needs to be done"... And most of them are pointed at better "management"... Or better "direction" of what is being done (by others)...

The issue in an all volunteer organization is not "what" needs to be done, but who will step forward and do it, not the "management and direction" but the actual WORK. That requires volunteers with the knowledge, skills, time and energy, and thick skin, Especially under the hail of rocks and stones from the peanut gallery...

Counter productive to getting the work we need done (volunteers we need) is the attitude from the peanut gallery about getting in there and "kicking butt" and "better management"... You do that in an all volunteer organization and soon there is nothing left but managers and butt kickers and complainers.

This happens in every aspect of ham radio all the way down to the local clubs and all the way to the top. You'd think by now that the old-fuds who clamour for more effort (from others) have about 30 years of experience with how this does NOT work in ham radio. Progress is made by self motivated individuals who see a need and jump in to fill it.

It is very simple!

If you can contribute "work" then jump in and do it. Othwerwise "get out of the way" and contribute money, food, encouragement, and assistance to those that do. "Ankle-biting, naysaying, and complaining" accomplish absolutely nothing forward. If you don't like the direction things are going, then jump in and go another way and see if you can find followers (workers, not ditto-heads)... But get out of the way of those that are making progress in their direction... That's the only way progress is made in volunteer organizations...

This is surely what this old-fud has learned in the last 30 years... Bob, WB4APR

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