A friend re-arranged her work schedule and pushed a few meetings back to take on a voluntary Events Manager position for an arts festival. Three days in we met up. She sat glass in hand, face taught and her angry pointing finger out. Continually chasing the organiser for the details she eventually managed to locate the place for the induction. Identifying a group of performers whose events she’d be managing, introduced herself and was met with a Siberian frost of a response. Taking it on the chin she moved on until later in the programme they attended an open mic night. Onto the stage appears ice maiden number one, whose act began with a lot of in-joking and nods to the organiser and their crazy weekend antics together. Producing a weak and isolated response from the audience she moved instead to victim picking. Guess who suddenly seemed to appeal? Noticed, certainly, berated, definitely, humiliated? My friend rolled the last of her wine in her glass “I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.”

If this self indulgent performer had taken a minute to accept the introduction or had the organiser cared to check my friends’ credentials they both would have stood to gain. Instead they turned away someone who not only volunteered her time and effort but had looked to offer some space on her books. Unfortunately for them she’ll return to the casting agency to score a line through their names and any future bookings.

A fundamental consideration of event organisers should be the treatment of their contributors. Volunteers should always be respected for their input and giving back is essential. CV references, freebies or even a lunch are all gestures of appreciation. If anything it’s just good manners.

As a starry-eyed media student I was desperate to seek out experience for the CV and volunteered wherever possible. My first gig was filming an event celebrating National Women’s Day at a community centre in Sighthill. I left with a full belly from the buffet and a fiver for my trouble; to me a result. I went on to volunteer as a researcher and presenter for a radio station supported by the RNIB. Here I made a lifelong friend who mentored me through my degree and provided both academic and emotional support. In turn I researched key material for the radio show.

On occasion volunteering has had its pitfalls and on hearing the frustrations of my friend I was reminded of a similar experience. I work full time so had booked a week off to help. I had volunteered for this particular arts festival two years previously and had made friends, scored a free t-shirt and had a lot of fun. This year they needed help in the box office. I signed up immediately. I developed a neat little filing system to select VIP tickets with ease when organisers came running. Then during one shift, the director of the event under little pressure other than to wear her boho attire in a painfully stylish manner came flouncing in. Rummaging through the tickets she muttered a name and became increasingly flustered until “aha, got it.” Turning on her heel she stopped at the door and triumphantly declared; “that’s why I earn the big bucks.”
I promptly reached for my coat.

A year before graduation however I hit the volunteer jackpot and secured a runner role for the BBC. I was ecstatic; due in part to meeting such TV greats as Timmy Mallet and Lorraine Kelly. I also appeared on the live broadcast next to Rolf Harris. The VHS recording of the programme shows a dedicated volunteer hard at work and definitely not waving to camera.

Volunteers are a valuable asset to those who rely solely on this generosity and commitment to function. Without befrienders, volunteer advocates and the enthusiasm of a dedicated group of people many in Scotland would be in need- get involved with this years’ Make a Difference Day (Oct 31st) and put your skills to use. A wage does not define your worth but your contribution should.
For more information: www.csv.org.uk

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This article was published in Scotcampus (Sep 09) scotcampus.com/freshers09