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eric_c View Drop Down
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    Posted: 05 May 23 at 6:43pm
Originally posted by turnturtle

This article from the Guardian is sobering reading - despite my own view that post-pandemic working practices with added flexibility and more free time, might actually signal a return to community activities like helping out at a sailing club, it doesn't seem to be the case:


Are duties still a bugbear for club managers and committees?

Firstly 'duties' are not the same as 'volunteering'.
Club 'duites' are part of the deal you make when you join a club or take part in the activities or whatever they do at your club. It's part of the cost of being in the club going sailing etc etc. Volunteering is when you do something for no direct return, like working in a charity shop, conservation work or whatever. 
 
 
 
 Secondly the people quoted in the grauniad are moaning about volunteering, while they draw 6 figure salaries from 'volunteering' 'charities'. It's sometimes people like that who put people off actual volunteering. A big part of the problem in the UK is that we have way too many charities and way too many snouts in the trough.


I'm currenty a member of two Sailing Clubs, a 'local boat owners' association' and a 'one-builder boat owners' association'. The two clubs are doing OK, duties not much of a problem, one club is notable for having lots of volunteers, including a lot of parents of kids who sail. Both are 'racing focused'. The local boat owners association gets people to volunteer for things like maintenance, harbour de-littering, organising socials and visitor events. All these bodies are relying on people putting in far more than their 'duty' to organise things. Some committee posts can be hard to fill, I don't think that's changed much since I was first on a committee in about 1980? But mostly there are enough people willing to do what's needed.
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davidyacht View Drop Down
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Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 23 at 4:55pm
Originally posted by The Moo

Originally posted by H2


Originally posted by 423zero

Will a sailing club survive a total loss of racing?

The clubs that I have been part of the racing was critical to me joining and being willing to volunteer. Perhaps that's because I love racing and choose the club I join based on who and how many regularly race and I realise that there is a whole other dinghy cruising scene which might be a mainstay of many other clubs that I am very unlikely to consider joining....but for me I doubt the clubs I have been a member of would survive without racing.


In our Club virtually every Committee post is held by someone who currently races on a pretty regular basis. I think without the racing, the recreational sailing, such that it is, would not happen.

Same with us, though in part because when the committee was not populated by the racing fleet things went awry, so now all key roles taken by the regular racers.
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The Moo View Drop Down
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Posts: 809 		Post Options Post Options   Quote The Moo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 23 at 3:04pm
Originally posted by H2


Originally posted by 423zero

Will a sailing club survive a total loss of racing?

The clubs that I have been part of the racing was critical to me joining and being willing to volunteer. Perhaps that's because I love racing and choose the club I join based on who and how many regularly race and I realise that there is a whole other dinghy cruising scene which might be a mainstay of many other clubs that I am very unlikely to consider joining....but for me I doubt the clubs I have been a member of would survive without racing.


In our Club virtually every Committee post is held by someone who currently races on a pretty regular basis. I think without the racing, the recreational sailing, such that it is, would not happen.
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423zero View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 23 at 12:48pm
Read in the Scottish Herald, pensioners contribute over 48 billion pounds to the UK economy, doing jobs for nothing, from child care to helping neighbours etc. Country would be in a bad way financially if it had to be paid for.
Robert
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423zero View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 23 at 12:44pm
"Re-establishing volunteer and giving levels will require ‘active and co-ordinated efforts’, think tank warns | Third Sector" https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/re-establishing-volunteer-giving-levels-will-require-active-co-ordinated-efforts-think-tank-warns/management/article/1787403
Robert
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Sussex Lad View Drop Down
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Posts: 360 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sussex Lad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 23 at 9:52am
Stating the obvious here but unfortunately the world is changing. One of the indicators that some professionals have been watching is the rise of individualism.

individualism

n.

1. a social or cultural tradition, ideology, or personal outlook that emphasizes the individual and his or her rights, independence, and relationships with other individuals. Compare collectivism.

2. in ethical and political theory, the view that individuals have intrinsic value. This implies that the unique values, desires, and perspectives of individuals should also be valued in their own right. Thus, individualism often manifests itself as an approach to life that emphasizes the essential right to be oneself and to seek fulfillment of one’s own needs and desires. —individualist n. —individualistic adj.


Googling Psychology the rise of individualism  brings up tons of research by academics who try to outline what's going on. Here are some of the headlines taken from the first page of results:

Individualistic Practices and Values Increasing Around the World

Global Increases in Individualism


The Death of Community and the Rise of Individualism

The Rise of "Me" Culture

......Not sure how sailing clubs can counter this global trend....but.... Most clubs are run by old school types who have a more collective attitude (me included), these same folk are desperately trying to engage the new individuals using language that doesn't mean anything to the younger generation. There is a new generation gap......There is no point trying to emphasise the importance of team work or the benefits to the club as a whole.....these are old values.
 Dishing out guilt trips and using chastisement as motivational tools will only drive newcomers away.

Maybe emphasising the benefits to that specific individual will have more impact. Financial benefits seems like one (there are others) obvious way to do this. "Whats in it for me?"


.......Personally, thinking about the whole sad issue makes me wish thing were the same as 50 yrs ago.....but the fact is they are not. In all probability most of us will not adapt, not because we can't but because we don't want to.











Edited by Sussex Lad - 05 May 23 at 10:04am
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H2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 750 		Post Options Post Options   Quote H2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 23 at 7:58am
Originally posted by 423zero

Will a sailing club survive a total loss of racing?

The clubs that I have been part of the racing was critical to me joining and being willing to volunteer. Perhaps that's because I love racing and choose the club I join based on who and how many regularly race and I realise that there is a whole other dinghy cruising scene which might be a mainstay of many other clubs that I am very unlikely to consider joining....but for me I doubt the clubs I have been a member of would survive without racing.
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Dakota View Drop Down
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Posts: 168 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dakota Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 23 at 8:01pm
Originally posted by The Moo

It can be difficult for us at times, but not a complete ball ache by any means. The difficulty seems to be getting new members to buy into the concept of voluntarily contributing to the running of the Club.

Totally agree  Smile
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423zero View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 23 at 6:07pm
https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/What-would-community-do-without-volunteers-49037.php

American publication, but be the same here.
Robert
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turnturtle View Drop Down
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Posts: 2538 		Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 23 at 3:05pm
Originally posted by davidyacht

In the context of the Big Help Out.  Apart from supporting my sailing club (which is really self interest) and my trade organisation, I also look out for the house of my second home next door neighbours and keep an eye out for my 94 year old next door neighbour.  I say this, not because I expect a clap on the back, but I really don't need some pious busy body telling me how I need to support the community.

However I do suspect that sailing clubs need to plan for a future with less volunteers, but I think that this is more to do with an aging demographic.

yep, I know what you mean - it's more of an observation on the stats that Guardian article quotes.

On a personal level, stuff I've done I don't expect a pat on the back for either - but I rarely pay for beers on bike packing expeditions (pure self interest, a bit like duties) and as for the Ukrainian refugees and homeless people stuff, I wish I could continue to the same level of support, but that's no longer feasible... I'll still do what I can though.


Edited by turnturtle - 04 May 23 at 3:06pm
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