Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
#1
Its interesting work being a volunteer as many of you will know, but what can grind any person down is the continued gripes from people unwilling to put themselves forward to carry out such work.
I have watched over the past years local community people who lacked confidence, now gained so much confidence they carry out and arrange events themselves and grow and grow in confidence.
Thats what it is all about to me, people getting up and doing something for there community, and Im proud of the large number that I have come into contact with over the years.
I recall many activists who sat around the table on the first day of doing a NVQ 2 and 3 in community management with south kent college saying they could not complete or even do the course(well 1 of your posters didnt) but the rest slogged over the year encouraging each other, and when anyone struggles everyone pulled together.
Out of this came community champions many who can be seen today.
There are negatives of course, dealing with local authorities or big business as a community group isn't easy but you have to keep at it for the sake of your community.
Mandie like others has shown that although difficulties arise outside of your control, you keep at it because you are a volunteer and as such its in your blood.
Everyone knows some 27 or so years ago I started out as a cllr, and served a few years with my mate BAZ we rarely agreed but hopefully we didn't fall out, and I do think local politicians have lost a lot of the sparkle, in those days(boy im sounding old!) there were characters, we don't have them now.
But did give my best shot at it, and hopefully along the way helped, but I ,look around and am proud when I see volunteers giving up there time in communities because they believe in being a volunteer, and it realy is great to watch.
Being a volunteer is a thankless task, but they still turn out week in week out.
I would like lay down my thanks to all those volunteers out there
It can be a thankless task, but believe me people do notice the good work you do.
Well done and keep up the good work.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
it may be an idea to name the people who gripe but never volunteer for anything keith.
otherwise it is just general mud slinging.
#3
Great posting there keith about volunteers. I got involved in carnival some 7 years ago, and have stayed with it ever since.
People have often asked why I do it. It's quite an easy question to answer really in that I love doing something good for Dover but more importantly for the youngsters.
Organising a carnival, selection and for the court to attend events is VERY time consuming, there are huge amounts of work involved, and I guess some people are scared off by thinking there is no way they could do it, but every pair of hands is a useful pair.
Believe it or not. 7 years ago I would not have said boo to a goose, or stood up for what I believed in, but over the last few years as I have conqured each hurdle, dilemma, or obstacle I have chnaged into someone who can "hold my own", someone who is confident, a tidgey bit cheeky, but approachable, and I adore every single youngster that comes DCAL's way.
I did have a mighty fine teacher in Sid I have to say, but now I can hold the reins.
I am extremely proud of all of our committee and youngsters who to are volunteers. Without them there wouldn't be DCAL.
I think there will always be an element of people who will knock what you do, and at times it can make you down hearted, but when ever I get to that point I step back and look at what can be acheived, what has been acheived, and I know that every tear, every fight has been worth it.
All volunteers work super hard,and yes you could say it is a thankless task, but for me I get the buzz of seeing that carnival go out on time, people having fun, the bringing together of the town, and of course the love you get for the youngsters you spend your year with, and it's all worth while.
I wouldn't change a single minute of it. Other than saying farewell to the outgoing court, but the nice thing is that DCAL has always operated a family orientated ethos,which sees the youngsters return as volunteers themseves, helping out with selection night and carnival day, and that in itself says to me
" A job well done"
To all those volunteers. Keep up the good work. The greatest feeling is knowing you give something good to the community
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
thanks for the encouragement mandi
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#5
Good posts there and yes the volunteers do a great job and sometimes do get it in the neck which is unfortunate. Perhaps thats part of the small town ethos, if thats the right word. Look at all the bitching that goes on in the small villages of middle england..I know this for a fact as have seen it all in Midsomer Murders !!
But yes without the volunteers the rest of us would feel the pinch.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#6
Ah yes PaulB but in Midsomer Murders there is a tendency to 'do away with' any voice of opposition.If that happened in Dover the town would be half empty.The busiest businesses in town would be the Undertakers..
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
#7
Mandie
You do a grand job, and over the years I have met many others in all the other wards, we were encouraged to get together and it was great to see how volunteers came together, worked hard, achieved.
Yes there are times when you feel down, but like mandie i think volunteers are dedicated to there work and will continue to make a positive difference.
I think, mandie had you been present on the first day of the NVQ course with volunteers from across most of the wards they lacked confidence, but with a realy good tutor from the college, and volunteers all sitting down and helping each other, at the end of the course volunteers now have confidence to go forward in there communities.
Its realy great to watch and im all for it.
As I say well done to all of you
#8
Although I think I am well established as a bit of a moaner, I would like to support all the thanks offered to the volunteers. Volunteers are pivotal to community life and need a strong backbone to continue. Nice One!!
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
#9
veryone is entitled to moan but I prefer to listen to those that moan, but also do try to do summat for the local community.
What I find on here is individuals moan, but don't actually put themselves out to do owt.
its easy to do that moan about someone else.
bt i suppose thats life
#10
I think your comment about things changing is right, though. Politics is different now - although it might just be me that has changed (for "changed" read "grown older")!! It feels as though politics used to be about committment and belief, about real conviction and moral drive. The current state of politics leaves me feeling somewhat dissatisfied, without real teeth or clout, more about sound bites and presentation - more dependent on white and even teeth than on rhetorical bite. Tell me if I am wrong, tell me if I am too old!!!! But I yearn for a bit of real oratory (don't be naughty!!) and real political insight.
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
#11
BERN
There are a lot of good volunteers out there, as I'v said earlier im proud to have worked alongside many ofthem(and still do)
think the politics is a different subject
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#12
keith
i never knew you did volunteer work!!
you never boast about it on here.
you have made the claim yet again that there are people in here who moan but never do anything themselves.
did you mean any person or persons in particular, or was it just a general smear?
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#13
Most Councillors are volunteers of course,when you see how much they 'earn' in the newspapers soon that only tells a small part of what they do,Sue is heavily involved in lots of things I know and she and I even serve on the Dover Federation for the Arts,along with Jim Hood and Barry W.
Council work at DDC is paid,while Town Councillors do it for next to nothing,I heard recently that they do get expenses now,although they didn't in my 4 Years.But as I say what you read in the Newspapers at Council meetings is only a tiny part of what we do.We have group meetings and Sue and Nigel have Cabinet meetings,then of course it depends on what your position is on the Council,Nigel and Sue will have loads of meetings with groups and Individuals,while us little people on the Council have our ward work,this is sometimes the best and worst of Council work.
It can be so frustrating when some of your constituents have a problem and ask for help,you then have meetings,e-mailing people,phone calls and even when everyone agree it can still take months to resolve,e.g. soon after I became a Councillor I had a call from someone who wanted a parking spot outside his flat,nothing unusual there,but this man had a muscle wasting disease that would eventually kill him,after months of fighting his corner and having several meetings and dozens of phone calls,I eventually got it,only for him to move out of the Town!
That is only one example of many,then of course there are things that you don't hear we do,these can be personal,or private for many reasons,and then we volunteer for other groups clubs societies and organisations.
As an example,and this is to show you what some Councillors do,not for praise the easiest way is to tell you what Clubs etc I am involved with; Dover Federation for the Arts as I have said,which involves 4 Schools,Vice Chair at Priory Fields,Vice Chair of the Dover History Society,Dover Sea Cadets,Curzon Rangers F.C. Dover Lions,and I work full time around the Clock in my real job,that is why I have the greatest of respect for anyone who stands as a Councillor,because then the local newspaper will take the mickey out of you if it can,and as I have said before me being just a Councillor get about £8 a day,and I haven't mentioned the forrest of papers we have delievered on a daily/weekly/basis,the last lot was the LDF which was over 500 pages!
Just because I like politics,and I want to help and fight injustice.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
