I would be criminally remiss if I did not touch on the tremendous volunteer efforts that go into putting on an Escapade. As an Escapee for some years, I have known of the volunteer spirit in the organization. As a volunteer at C.A.R.E. for a brief month in 2008, I witnessed firsthand the power of caring. Now, after seeing the tremendous volunteer efforts at Escapade, I am, to put it mildly, in awe!
The Escapade Directors (husband/wife team) hold the position for several years and to be honest I don’t know if that position is paid or not, but it seems like darn near a full time job. Beneath them on the org chart are ass’t directors and coordinators and, like the directors, it seems those folks must flat wear themselves out during the prep for the Escapade rally. But the above folks only scratch the surface of the effort required on site during the event, and this is where the big push of volunteers come in.
The “staff” volunteers are those recruited in advance and serve various functions throughout the week, some arriving days or maybe weeks in advance to set up the site and coordinate the activities. From what I witnessed, there are several dozen of these good people working their butts off to bring all the pieces of the rally together and make sure they stay together for the week. From the initial friendly greeting at the site entrance by a rover on a Segway to the parking, registration, volunteer and information booths, donuts and coffee every A.M. (great ladies- a place to find a smile every morning!) seminar scheduling, set-up, and assistance, main event organizers, vendor coordination, clean-up, and on and on, these folks are there and attentive to every small detail.
Then there are the on-site volunteers (my term) recruited during the rally registration. This gives everyone an opportunity to augment the staff volunteers and help out in one specific area for a three hour period. Another few dozen people volunteer in this capacity and I can tell you from personal experience, it is greatly rewarding to feel a part of the whole rally by contributing in this small way.
Now, lest you think this volunteer thing is “no big deal,” or that perhaps I am overstating the efforts, I suggest you bee-bop on out to your own county fairgrounds and spend a couple hours thinking about what you would do with nearly 1300 people arriving in nearly 700 RVs, all of whom expect to be parked and entertained for five days and evenings. Think of a five day wedding reception for 1200 of your daughter’s closest friends or a multi-day birthday party for your seven-year-old- times about
fifty. Good luck! Let me know what you come up with.
As for my thoughts, all I can do is remove my hat and bow deeply in recognition of the efforts of these fine people who contribute their time and sweat. God bless you one and all, and thank you for a fine rally in Gillette, WY.
The Escapade Directors (husband/wife team) hold the position for several years and to be honest I don’t know if that position is paid or not, but it seems like darn near a full time job. Beneath them on the org chart are ass’t directors and coordinators and, like the directors, it seems those folks must flat wear themselves out during the prep for the Escapade rally. But the above folks only scratch the surface of the effort required on site during the event, and this is where the big push of volunteers come in.
The “staff” volunteers are those recruited in advance and serve various functions throughout the week, some arriving days or maybe weeks in advance to set up the site and coordinate the activities. From what I witnessed, there are several dozen of these good people working their butts off to bring all the pieces of the rally together and make sure they stay together for the week. From the initial friendly greeting at the site entrance by a rover on a Segway to the parking, registration, volunteer and information booths, donuts and coffee every A.M. (great ladies- a place to find a smile every morning!) seminar scheduling, set-up, and assistance, main event organizers, vendor coordination, clean-up, and on and on, these folks are there and attentive to every small detail.
Then there are the on-site volunteers (my term) recruited during the rally registration. This gives everyone an opportunity to augment the staff volunteers and help out in one specific area for a three hour period. Another few dozen people volunteer in this capacity and I can tell you from personal experience, it is greatly rewarding to feel a part of the whole rally by contributing in this small way.
Now, lest you think this volunteer thing is “no big deal,” or that perhaps I am overstating the efforts, I suggest you bee-bop on out to your own county fairgrounds and spend a couple hours thinking about what you would do with nearly 1300 people arriving in nearly 700 RVs, all of whom expect to be parked and entertained for five days and evenings. Think of a five day wedding reception for 1200 of your daughter’s closest friends or a multi-day birthday party for your seven-year-old- times about
fifty. Good luck! Let me know what you come up with.
As for my thoughts, all I can do is remove my hat and bow deeply in recognition of the efforts of these fine people who contribute their time and sweat. God bless you one and all, and thank you for a fine rally in Gillette, WY.
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