Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Politics everywhere? Volunteer guidelines needed

Why is it that people sometimes have all the answers but don't want to do the work? It is a wise idea to have those with accumulated knowledge write some type of guidelines so newcomers know what they are getting into. This is especially true for Genealogy Societies. The details can be hashed out corporately with all involved in implementing them. From the business world I learned the value of job guides and writing them. When I was challenged by new responsibilities in a volunteer organization it was helpful to write a set of written volunteer guidelines. That is the way every one knows what is expected and people don't have hurt feelings. Also, every one starts on the same page. Processes and procedures can be ironed out later.
Your thoughts? My educational process has taught me the advantage for both student and teacher of a well written syllabus and the same goes for the well written set of volunteer guidelines. So from the business perspective and educational experience perspective the concept of volunteer guidelines would help to ease some of the tension that exists in some Genealogy Societies. Please note that I am not specifying any one Society but that volunteer guidelines let people know about preexisting expectations in a Society.