boisdevie1
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I want to get involved and they don't seem interestedThe bed and breakfast that I run overlooks the community orchard which is lovely. They had a working party the other Saturday morning and I went along and helped because it's just the sort of thing I'm in favour of doing. I spoke with a guy there and on Wednesday on my behalf he emailed the committee to say I'd be interested in helping a bit more. I have experience of doing PR etc so I think I would be useful to them.
And after 4 days what reply have I had - none at all. I am not impressed. Would you be?
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sally_in_wales
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Small local committes may only meet once a month, and its possible that you've just approached them between meetings. I wouldnt worry as yet, often you have to be visibly helpful a few times before they'll really notice you, but they will in the end I'm sure
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wellington womble
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Small local things will also be run by people in their spare time - they probably all have day jobs too, so give them a while to get sorted out. If they're organised enough to have and maintain a community orchard, I'm sure there are lots of things going on. Beware of jumping in with both feet and trampling all over them - communities are often a bit wary of newcomers, and feel a bit peeved if you aren't careful. They also need to have a gap for your skills - maybe they already have someone who does PR - you never know. Tread lightly, lend a hand where you can and have some fun!
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Sarah D
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I'm just about to write a letter to the local paper about giving volunteers a break................we've had a bit of bother here last week over something. Volunteers give up their time and energy for free, and things will necessarily run more slowly as the majority of them have busy lives - the old adge "If you want something done, give it to a busy person" springs to mind. $ days is not a long time to wait for a response, it may well be considerably longer, but don't give up, and don't hassle them. They will get back to you. Volunteer run/led groups work nothing ike businesses.
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katie
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[/quote] Volunteer run/led groups work nothing ike businesses.[/quote].
This is so true and I have to keep on reminding myself of it - it drives me mad. Tread softly, Bois!
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boisdevie1
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I shall tread softly but I'm not impressed with an organisation that can't even reply to an email even if to say they'll send me a proper reply when they've got time.
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hedgewitch
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We had the opposite response this week when we contacted a local angling club. They replied almost as soon as we'd sent the email, and were happy to enter in a lengthy email exchange answering a string of "and what if...." questions.
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Sarah D
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| boisdevie1 wrote: | | I shall tread softly but I'm not impressed with an organisation that can't even reply to an email even if to say they'll send me a proper reply when they've got time. |
Give them a chance.
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Home on the Hill
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The organisation I work for regularly has complaints that we haven't replied to emails when we have because the recipients ISP has filed them as SPAM - so check your spam folder before moaning too much. Contact your ISP (internet service provider) if you don't know how to do this.
But I also think 4 days would be very quick for a small volunteer run organisation.
Beth
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tahir
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| boisdevie1 wrote: | | I shall tread softly but I'm not impressed with an organisation that can't even reply to an email even if to say they'll send me a proper reply when they've got time. |
I've had this from organisations with paid staff, let alone voluntary set ups. You need to chill, if you finally get in there then you could offer to take over some admin tasks.
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gnome
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i've been involved in community groups, and they do not tend to have the best of facilities. it's usually just a group of people with a common interest, and all with very busy lives to lead. i also find that whilst everyone is keen to come to meetings, or help out on a weekend - nobody wants to do the admin work. do you really think this community group can afford to pay a secretary to sit down at a computer waiting for someone to send them an e-mail so they can promptly reply? get a grip.
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