>Jeez, what's the deal with people being so defensive about the
>status quo? Someone asked about adding a second autocross
>school to the annual schedule, someone else pointed out the
>difficulties with doing that, and I threw out a few potential
>ideas that might address some of those particular difficulties.
>Why the attitude? Making suggestions and trying to "think
>outside the box" are just ways to try to make things better,
>not to throw stones. Or do you think that everything is as
>perfect as it can be, that there's no way to make anything any
>better?
Go right ahead. I'm not sure what you don't like about the attitude - the
worst thing I saw was my response to a suggestion that track vouchers would
be reasonable compensation for giving up work days. You want attitude, keep
reading. ;)
>From the discussion, it appears that nobody has ever asked the
>following specific questions, so I'm going to be bold and ask
>them myself:
>1) Would you ever consider instructing on a non-weekend day,
> or is it completely out of the question for you under all
> conceivable circumstances?
If being paid the equivalent of my bill rate is "inconceivable", then yes,
it is completely out of the question under all circumstances.
>2) Is there anything that you'd like to see the club provide
> in return for your effort and participation? You're likely
> to be pretty familiar with the organization, so you're also
> presumably aware of the limitations (e.g., no wads of $50
> bills). Would you appreciate a "free pass" to an event?
> Would track time credit at Thunderhill be appreciated?
> Anything?
Personally, no. I suspect that "get out of work free" passes would hold the
highest value. Note that if you hand out a bunch of such passes to the
experienced instructors, you now have nobody to run the events.
>If you'd like to comment but you prefer anonymity, please feel
>free to e-mail me directly and I'll summarize to the list. Be
>assured that I will hold all such responses in the strictest
>confidence.
>And PLEASE don't rag on me for asking. If you don't ask, you
>don't learn.
Sorry, can't oblige.
Here's the deal:
This is one more instance of people wanting things to be done FOR them.
Several novice autocrossers, including but certainly not limited to
yourself, commented that the limited school attendance was a problem and
they'd like to see more schools.
The responses from the more experienced autocrossers said essentially three
things:
a) Yes it was too bad that sites and resources limited the attendance
this year, and that possibly two schools could be scheduled
in the future.
b) It is highly improbably that instructors could be found for
weekday schools.
c) That there were a number of alternate approaches to schools
which were widely available at events. Jim and I each listed
several.
What you're focusing on is the one solution that requires the MOST effort
and sacrifice for the people who are already contributing, and the LEAST
effort and sacrifice from the people who want help.
I'm happy to take time out of my personal event preparation to host rookie
walkthroughs. I'm happy to have people ride with me even though it's
somewhat distracting. I'm thrilled to ride along with others and comment on
good and bad elements I see. I'm willing to donate a day of my limited
number of weekends to focus on bringing people up to speed and into the
sport. It's not a problem to spend the time accepting registration info,
copying and mailing event flyers, and dealing with the people who send me
"why didn't I get a confirmation email" messages when they didn't include
their email address. That's what I do to support novice autocrossers, and
it's a hell of a lot less than what many others do.
Now, instead of focusing on the approach that we've suggested would provide
the greatest good to the greatest number with the least inconvenience, you
choose to focus on an approach that asks me to donate a day of my NON-free
time, in exchange for, basically, beads and trinkets. Forget it, and by the
way the offer is somewhat insulting.
*EVERY TIME* a problem is identified, the first "solution" that comes up is
some method to further burden the people who are contributing to the
program, and to require less responsibility and work for the people who WANT
something from the program. I'm sorry, but the effort required to post a
two-question message doesn't impress me.
Several EXCELLENT suggestions on how to come up to speed quickly have been
offered. They do require effort, initiative, and ambition. I know, because
I did most of them as a novice. It's your turn.
KeS
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