parkrun thread
1 lurker |
506 watchers
Nov 2023
10:50am, 25 Nov 2023
25,973 posts
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Bazoaxe
I don’t have a Facebook account but need to monitor there for cancellations. It’s not always easy without a login I do receive volunteer emails twice a week. Works for me. |
Nov 2023
11:07am, 25 Nov 2023
10,483 posts
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BaronessBL
As an occasional RD I am right behind Linds decision to cancel and I wouldn't hesitate to do so myself if we were in a situation where we didn't have enough volunteers by say Friday morning. I suspect I am in a minority (possibly of one) among our core team who would do that and it wouldn't go down well but it is the RDs call. It would be hard also because I don't think we have ever had to cancel for any reason and the first RD to do so is always going to get a bit of stick. We do appeal on Facebook as well as emails but it is the emails that bring in the higher number of volunteers. An email on a Thursday night saying we can't go ahead on Saturday as things stand has worked in the past for us. And we also have the issue with Facebook that we don't always get notification of messages and we have previously had someone turn up on a Saturday saying they sent a message on Facebook offering to volunteer when the RD had not had notification of a message. It's often stressful enough doing the roster and if you are trying to check Facebook comments, messages and emails (all while actually trying to do your job at work too on a Friday) then keeping it as simple as possible is often the best way I find. RDs are volunteers too.
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Nov 2023
11:19am, 25 Nov 2023
3,096 posts
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Big_G
Just to echo Baroness, and not in a parkrun sense, but I do some bits and pieces for my club. Tracking things via Facebook - either notifications or messages - is difficult. I much prefer email as I have a club email address that I use for club stuff, and I encourage members to contact me in that way. Notifications and people expecting near instant responses on Facebook is not ideal for me. For example, I’m organising a handicap race for members that is happening tomorrow where I’ve asked people for a 5K or 10K time so I can work out their start time at the event. It’s far easier doing that via email, I find.
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Nov 2023
11:22am, 25 Nov 2023
12,706 posts
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sallykate
As a former RD, I used social media as a last resort, largely because it's time-consuming having to keep an eye on three or four channels rather than just one (email), as BaronessBL points out. We never had to cancel for lack of volunteers but there were plenty of times when we thought we might have to.
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Nov 2023
12:27pm, 25 Nov 2023
8,450 posts
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Pothunter
LindsD Have you got any secondary schools nearby that may have students doing their Duke of Edinburgh award? We have quite a few DofE volunteers who can pick up the timekeeper, finish tokens and scanning roles. We’ve got enough to do token support and number checker too. Definitely takes the pressure off having to beg every week!
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Nov 2023
2:00pm, 25 Nov 2023
3,510 posts
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Lesley C
I am also an RD, we have never had to cancel due to lack of volunteers but have almost had to do so. I get fed up shouting for volunteers sometimes - especially when there we have one runner who is there every week and doesn't stick her hand up to help.
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Nov 2023
2:11pm, 25 Nov 2023
1,102 posts
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Weath
59:59's all round at Humber Bridge. Apparently due to GPS issues when setting out an alterative course parkrun.org.uk Thankfully(?) for me I saw that the alt course was being considered late last night, so decided to take my touristing off to Peterborough (Ferry Meadows) instead. |
Nov 2023
3:18pm, 25 Nov 2023
22,696 posts
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larkim
Different venues do different things. As a participant I'm much more likely to see a shout for volunteers via FB than email, but that's because our local event prefers FB and we all know that. External critics should understand that each event does its own thing and just because they can't see the pleas for volunteers because it's not on FB shouldn't judge simply off the back of their own preferred routes or what their local event(s) do. |
Nov 2023
4:06pm, 25 Nov 2023
5,310 posts
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Minnie Mad
I think the 5k app should have a 59:59 challenge badge for anyone who has 59:59 for any reason. I haven’t got one yet.
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Nov 2023
4:48pm, 25 Nov 2023
15,973 posts
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jda
Volunteer for a vital job then don’t turn up 
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