If possible, schedule different workdates for different days. If they're all scheduled for Saturday mornings, you might be missing out on potential helpers who are never available at that time.
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how to get work days participants
- Thread starter goosefraba1
- Start date
If possible, schedule different workdates for different days. If they're all scheduled for Saturday mornings, you might be missing out on potential helpers who are never available at that time.
captain jack
* Ace Member *
This.
From experience, free food, or at least beverages is a given for any work party, not an incentive.
People who just like to play recreationally would need alot more reasons to turn up.
6-8 people, with proper tools, who can understand basic direction, is far better a crowd of giggling idiots cutting thier limbs off.
We usually get the work done with half that number.
Lmao... I have guys asking me all the time, mostly advanced players for some reason, when will the course be done? I just keep telling them maybe a month, maybe a year... just depends how many people show up to help. Then, I give them the date of the next work day.
Thanks for the tips guys.
Hope and pray (if you believe that stuff works)
Succumb to the fact that 5% of the DG population will do 95% of the work.
Try to not get bent out of shape that people were scarce (like ice cream in hell scarce) on workdays, but hundreds showed up as soon as baskets were in the ground (even if nothing else was ready for play).
Succumb to the fact that 5% of the DG population will do 95% of the work.
Try to not get bent out of shape that people were scarce (like ice cream in hell scarce) on workdays, but hundreds showed up as soon as baskets were in the ground (even if nothing else was ready for play).
tom12003
Eagle Member
Every day--work day
While we building the Plantation Ruins course (probably the most labor intensive course we've ever built--I estimate that each hole required almost 90 man-hours per hole to get them in a playable condition) in Charlotte, I had the opportunity (as a retired old phart) to work almost every day and posted (on Charlotte's discussion board) when I would be there (it varied--morning, lunch, evening). Too many days of solo work but every so often I had company. 2 of us working 2 hours was like me doing 5 hours of solo; 3 sets of hands working 2 hours was like me doing 9 hours. The course building was a tortoise crawl. We never had more than 6 or 7 sets of hands (out of a 140+ member club) to help clear the course--and that usually set off Stan to start singing about each of us! However when our concrete tee pour was scheduled, we had almost 30. They come out when they can really taste playing the course!
While we building the Plantation Ruins course (probably the most labor intensive course we've ever built--I estimate that each hole required almost 90 man-hours per hole to get them in a playable condition) in Charlotte, I had the opportunity (as a retired old phart) to work almost every day and posted (on Charlotte's discussion board) when I would be there (it varied--morning, lunch, evening). Too many days of solo work but every so often I had company. 2 of us working 2 hours was like me doing 5 hours of solo; 3 sets of hands working 2 hours was like me doing 9 hours. The course building was a tortoise crawl. We never had more than 6 or 7 sets of hands (out of a 140+ member club) to help clear the course--and that usually set off Stan to start singing about each of us! However when our concrete tee pour was scheduled, we had almost 30. They come out when they can really taste playing the course!
onemilemore
* Ace Member *
Deadlines spur action.
When our recent local course was going in, the local club told people that if the work was not done by a certain date, the city would not let us have the course. I'm not sure if it was true, but it definitely got people off their asses and out to help.
Not sure if you have this kind of luxury, but a little deadline pressure never hurt anyone. If they fear a course might not be done because they couldn't pitch in a few hours, you'll be surprised how many come out.
When our recent local course was going in, the local club told people that if the work was not done by a certain date, the city would not let us have the course. I'm not sure if it was true, but it definitely got people off their asses and out to help.
Not sure if you have this kind of luxury, but a little deadline pressure never hurt anyone. If they fear a course might not be done because they couldn't pitch in a few hours, you'll be surprised how many come out.
Deaf Leopard
Bogey Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2010
- Messages
- 98
Ha ha! That's great!
Tom, we played Plantation Ruins when it was still pretty rough, well before Worlds. Knowing what goes into building a course, and seeing those tangles of vines that some fairways were cut through, I was exhausted in empathy.
Punk In Drublic
Bogey Member
This always got me to show for work days.
For me notice of activity is the most important aspect of my involvement. I will gladly help out and dig, cut, climb, move, loan out my truck, haul... if I know enough in advance, but with family and work I can't be told on a Sunday doubles round that something is suddenly happening the next Saturday.
That being said, an ice cold beverage after the work is done is always appreciated.
That being said, an ice cold beverage after the work is done is always appreciated.
aardvarkious
Birdie Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2010
- Messages
- 277
Make it clear that if people can only make it for part of the work day, they are still welcome. It would be a real shame to lose someone for the whole day because the first or last half hours don't work.
If you have jobs that people can do unsupervised, let them know that they can get an independent project if they can't make the work day but still want to help out.
Are there any schools, churches, or scout groups nearby? Reaching out to them might be worth a try, especially if you volunteer to lend discs and run a free lesson for them once the course is done. As someone who has taught leadership classes in schools and led church youth groups, I am always excited to hear about an easy service project to take kids to (easy meaning I just need to show up with kids instead of organising something, NOT meaning that kids don't get sweaty).
If you have jobs that people can do unsupervised, let them know that they can get an independent project if they can't make the work day but still want to help out.
Are there any schools, churches, or scout groups nearby? Reaching out to them might be worth a try, especially if you volunteer to lend discs and run a free lesson for them once the course is done. As someone who has taught leadership classes in schools and led church youth groups, I am always excited to hear about an easy service project to take kids to (easy meaning I just need to show up with kids instead of organising something, NOT meaning that kids don't get sweaty).
The scouts have been awesome in helping us out. They actually helped us clear 2 really tough holes... and they will be building our kiosk. Im really impressed with their work and effort. Looks like our work "party" for saturday is shaping up 
Might see if we can get some breakfast out there for everyone.
Might see if we can get some breakfast out there for everyone.
chrishysell
* Ace Member *
I seem to get more done when i go work by myself. Of course certain things like using heavy equipment and chainsaws should be done when others are around for safety reasons. It feels more rewarding that way also.
Billipo
Birdie Member
Hopefully workdays are not full out course construction events. The days are gone where you have to pimp out your friends to get a course installed. Parks recognize the value of a disc golf course in there park and are willing to pay for hardware, for initital clearing, and for maintenance.
With workdays, I think everyone has a similar story. Not enough help.
I am not a big fan of making paticipants expect like they should be paid - merchandise, free beer, etc. I would rather hold out on a basket installation until the work is done as thier reward. Make that the prize. Yah its ok to have coffee, donuts, drinks, or hot dogs afterwards but not an incentive to help.
Focus workdays on specific tasks that can be completed in a couple of hours so when they leave they can see results and feel good about it. Have tasks defined and advertised on fliers or postings. Work in small teams to accomplish. Maybe someone who can not make event but sees the sign will volunteer for a task on another day.
Yes I have experienced three people workdays!
With workdays, I think everyone has a similar story. Not enough help.
I am not a big fan of making paticipants expect like they should be paid - merchandise, free beer, etc. I would rather hold out on a basket installation until the work is done as thier reward. Make that the prize. Yah its ok to have coffee, donuts, drinks, or hot dogs afterwards but not an incentive to help.
Focus workdays on specific tasks that can be completed in a couple of hours so when they leave they can see results and feel good about it. Have tasks defined and advertised on fliers or postings. Work in small teams to accomplish. Maybe someone who can not make event but sees the sign will volunteer for a task on another day.
Yes I have experienced three people workdays!
6-8 sounds great.
Wuss.
I showed up to play Sunday doubles at Lakeside/Saratoga, only to find out it was a scheduled Sky Pilots' work party.:\ For 4 hours I tore out invasive vegetation, moved two tee pads[pavers], and helped install a new elevated basket.:clap:
Then had a gutfull of their beer and pizza, and played probably the most fun doubles round I've ever played. DFL'ed, too, and didn't even care.:hfive:
mattc
* Ace Member *
maybe the old bait and switch
come on out for doubles, then when everyone shows up, you say todays' round is going to be a little different
then you hand out the clippers and shovels
come on out for doubles, then when everyone shows up, you say todays' round is going to be a little different
then you hand out the clippers and shovels
^^^[edit]
Lakeview/Sarasota
Lakeview/Sarasota
woodstock
Double Eagle Member
this
