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View Full Version : Morale of Volunteers


Guy Incognito
08-26-2007, 01:01 AM
It is been a realization of mine, coming back to the forums tonight after being absent for a while, that we seem to have what, feels like to me, a problem that is starting to rise. There happens to be a small core group of volunteers (Trail stewarts, Dirt Bosses, volunteers...ect) that do the majority of the upkeep of what keeps the trails ridable and MORC working. It seems obviuos to me after recent trail poachings,disegaurd of trail rules,unproductive bickering and whining about trail upkeep, along with some recent kinappings of "MORC family members" that these core members of MORC volunteer efforts are strating to loose some of the zest they have for the work they do.

I volunteer as much as i can and least make one trail work session every month, but compared to the efforts of these core members it is miniscule. With out there efforts these trails will go into disarray. I have seen it happen in many other states and with many other great trails. My stomach turns just thinking about it.

So here is my proposal...we have a volunteer appreciation day (if not already started). This would not include the members as myself, even though we are appreciated too I am sure, that put in a handful of hours a month. This would be for the core members. These would include the members that keep this sight running and MORC working, The trail and dirt bosses at Theo that have to put up with the red tape and politcts from others, the ones at LEb that have to deal with vigilante kinappers, the ones at Murphy that put up with trail poachers, and to all the few consistant volunteers that help these people out on the trails every week. So I am calling out everyone that gets to enjoy this forum and trails because of these few with there herculean efforts....MORC or nonMORC

What to do? We first need a plannning committee to arrange the details and of what the day will consist of, and all the date and plans. I know very few of you personally, but i know there are ones out there that can handle this. We need some group with the proper knowledge of these individuals and proper planning skills (calling out anyone in the female persuassion) Then we need cash. I put in $100 donation to this planning...with the traffic this forum sees a $1 donation from half of you would be plenty. Then rest is just details.

The day can be as small as a social gathering of these members having some free consumption of fermented grains and it would be worth while to there morale. Being volunteers, as they are, they will not want this recognition..that is why they are such good volunteers, but we must show them that there are many more of us that care for there efforts then not.

I hope to see this happen, but canot do it without the rest of you acting on it. If you fail to respond to my proposal then the $100 I put up is still the volunteers to use in any way they see worth. I just really have one question to all of you...What does MORC and these magnificient trails REALLY mean to you?

flutterbyes
08-26-2007, 10:53 AM
Agree! I'll help out any way I can. I haven't been able to volunteer much this summer and really appreciate the efforts of those who have put in loads of time.

ryno lite
08-26-2007, 04:01 PM
This is a very generous offer and I am sure those who put in the large hours appreciate your idea. I think most of the people who put in the big hours would love to see this great offer go to something like the pizza fund so that whole trail crews could have pizza or something one night. Some people put in 2 hours, some people put in over 100, but I think all the board members, dirt bosses, and trail stewards would agree that everyone should get the credit. I know things come up that make some of us become a little disgruntled, but it always passes and we get going with our projects. We always recover! Thanks for the kind offer. I think most of us would enjoy some type of event to honor everyone who volunteers on our trails. Those are the events we all enjoy! Thanks again!

crux
08-26-2007, 06:38 PM
Truth be told I really enjoyed trail work. Not only did I learn more about the trail system that I enjoyed riding also got to hangout and accomplish something positive with really nice people. Since relocating I have replaced trail work night with riding, but still looking for a local group similar to MORC down here in NM that does trailwork on a regular basis. It seems as if people do not care much about the trail systems because they have been their for years and there is no reason to lift a finger for upkeep. Sure the trails are nice here, but yo can tell that if they had a group like MORC looking out for the well being of the sport they would be world class.

Guy Incognito
08-26-2007, 06:46 PM
This is a very generous offer and I am sure those who put in the large hours appreciate your idea. I think most of the people who put in the big hours would love to see this great offer go to something like the pizza fund so that whole trail crews could have pizza or something one night. Some people put in 2 hours, some people put in over 100, but I think all the board members, dirt bosses, and trail stewards would agree that everyone should get the credit. I know things come up that make some of us become a little disgruntled, but it always passes and we get going with our projects. We always recover! Thanks for the kind offer. I think most of us would enjoy some type of event to honor everyone who volunteers on our trails. Those are the events we all enjoy! Thanks again!

Kinda what I thought what you guys would say and probably a more political way to hold an event as this could be. That being said, even though i am very aware that no one looks at there number of volunteer hours as a competition, I would think it would be a must that an event for all volunteers would recogonize the people, as yourself that put the big numbers up. It could be anything from a shirt to a plaque to a case of beer, just something to recognize the ovewhelming efforts you guys give in front of the volunteers that come to work with you.

Guy Incognito
08-26-2007, 06:54 PM
Agree! I'll help out any way I can. I haven't been able to volunteer much this summer and really appreciate the efforts of those who have put in loads of time.

Great Susannah..I am in the same boat as you. The biggest and best thing you can do at this point is spread the word to gain support for the idea. I am very new to MORC and know very few people in the group to actually sell the idea to the masses. I would love to see more people comment on this idea on brainstorm it into an event that will work. If you have any ideas feel free to post and bring others over to post up there ideas.

Guy Incognito
08-26-2007, 07:04 PM
Truth be told I really enjoyed trail work. Not only did I learn more about the trail system that I enjoyed riding also got to hangout and accomplish something positive with really nice people. Since relocating I have replaced trail work night with riding, but still looking for a local group similar to MORC down here in NM that does trailwork on a regular basis. It seems as if people do not care much about the trail systems because they have been their for years and there is no reason to lift a finger for upkeep. Sure the trails are nice here, but yo can tell that if they had a group like MORC looking out for the well being of the sport they would be world class.
Spot on Andrew, I am right with you on those comments. It takes to loose something, as you have, to really understand it's importance. That is why when I moved here I understood..after a while...exactley what I gained. That is why i am on this kick to have some recognition of the volunteers that put in the overwhelming hours to these trails. Trails do not maintain and grow on there own and I think that is the dirty little secret most of us tell themselves as we ride the trails. People, let me clear it up for you... you may tell yourself many times....but there are no such things as trail fairies. Thanks for the post Andrew hope things are good in NM.

ryno lite
08-26-2007, 10:04 PM
Truth be told I really enjoyed trail work. Not only did I learn more about the trail system that I enjoyed riding also got to hangout and accomplish something positive with really nice people. Since relocating I have replaced trail work night with riding, but still looking for a local group similar to MORC down here in NM that does trailwork on a regular basis. It seems as if people do not care much about the trail systems because they have been their for years and there is no reason to lift a finger for upkeep. Sure the trails are nice here, but yo can tell that if they had a group like MORC looking out for the well being of the sport they would be world class.

I've heard that so many times from people out west with a wealth of trails. No group needed so no one gets organized. Like you said, with all they already have in NM, think how much even better it could get with some trail work! If you can't find anything, you may have to start one yourself!

ryno lite
08-26-2007, 10:05 PM
Spot on Andrew, I am right with you on those comments. It takes to loose something, as you have, to really understand it's importance. That is why when I moved here I understood..after a while...exactley what I gained. That is why i am on this kick to have some recognition of the volunteers that put in the overwhelming hours to these trails. Trails do not maintain and grow on there own and I think that is the dirty little secret most of us tell themselves as we ride the trails. People, let me clear it up for you... you may tell yourself many times....but there are no such things as trail fairies. Thanks for the post Andrew hope things are good in NM.

We appreciate you showing up today and becoming a trail fairy. The more the better!