Re: AIS: hogties

From: Bill Shear <bills@hsc.edu>

>From: Catherine Fulmer <manowar@vramp.net>
>
>Walter,
>
>Bravo! Agree wholeheartedly!
>We are experiencing hard times with getting actively contributing
>members. (for example some of the membership want more shows and more
>judges training AND want them close to them but won't volunteer any help
>at _any_ events.) One person suggested cajoling and arm twisting and
>nagging, (in a nice way of course). BUT WHY? If they don't have the
>interest or enthusiasm to pick out something they would like to help
>with, you are just asking for trouble...
>
>Only thing I've seen that works is to encourage the shy folks who look
>like they might be interested but are afraid because they don't have any
>"experience". Now where can we find some more of these folks!!!
>
>cathy
>
>wmoores@watervalley.net wrote:
>>
>>
>>         But, a lot of this is 'old hat' and was tried thirty years ago by
>> some iris societies in Texas. What kind of members do you have
>> when
>> that person was conned into joining the society and has to be
>> reminded every year to renew his membership?  He/she may
>> occasionally warm a seat at a function by coming to get his
>> freebies or chowing-down with the society (he brought a loaf of
>> bread but ate your casserole).  I don't believe in tricking people into
>> joining the society by giving them free plants or play money
>> to bid at an auction or buy at a sale.  Of the two societies with
>> which I am most familiar, I can recall one couple who became a lift-
>> long members as a result of these types of promotionals.  I, too,
>> remember the headaches with the others.  And, to the people who
>> just wants to grow the plants, God bless them, but leave them
>> alone.
>>
>>         Let's get new members by placing the product before the
>> people and letting them decide, not conning them at every turn.
>>
>>         If you were hogtied and were brought kicking and screaming
>> into the society, I have my doubts as to your becoming a
>> contributing member.
>>
>>         Walter Moores
>>       Enid Lake, MS 7/8 USA


These are words of wisdom.  You can only get people active in an
organization by making it attractive to them or convincing them of a
responsibility.  Brow-beating, arm-twisting and hog-tying sound good on
paper but rarely if ever produce results.  Organizations are natural
entities; if they survive and prosper, all well and good.  If they don't,
well, maybe they weren't needed to begin with.

Also, the role of the individual leader can't be underestimated.  A
dynamic, committed person at the helm who shows by example how to
contribute to the organization is a must.  My dear wife heads up a
successful Buddhist lay organization here in central Virginia by her
example of committment and work; to her it is worth it, and she knows there
are many along for the ride.  But, so be it (good Buddhist perspective!)

I have just been given the job of coming up with 50 volunteers from among
the parents at my son's karate studio, to help with the AAU National
Tournament in Richmond this summer! Honey, can you help me with
something......?

Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@mail.hsc.edu>

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