It is amazing how quickly things in a conversation can turn negative these days, isn’t it?
Especially here in a small community.
As a journalist, I have attended more than my fair share of community events over the past decade or so. Some of these events are hosted by professional organizations, but I would venture to say that 90 per cent of the events hosted within our community are done so by volunteers.
These events raise money for local charities, community groups, or in some cases are hosted because giving back to the community is a nice thing to do.
As someone who volunteers many hours a year in my community, the worst thing I can hear following, or even during an event, is negative feedback.
Now, before you say, “What’s wrong with negative feedback?” I will counter with this: there is negative feedback, and there is constructive criticism.
In my experience, negative feedback comes from those who cannot find anything positive to say about their experience at your event or with your organization, and offers no solutions on how to fix the issue.
“The lineup for the washroom was terrible!”
“My kid isn’t learning anything from their coach!”
“I should have gotten a tax receipt for this!”
Constructive criticism tends to come from those of us, like myself, who have volunteered and understand what it is like to help with these events and organizations. They also come with possible solutions.
“Perhaps next time we should look at adding some portable washrooms; the lineup was too long for the washrooms.”
“I am worried that my child may not be improving their skills this season; what can we do to help the coaching staff with that? Do they need more resources?”
“Have we looked at issuing tax receipts? If we are able to, it may entice more donations.”
Lately, I have found far more negative than constructive comments in my travels as a volunteer.
And, as Peter Griffin would say in Family Guy, it grinds my gears.
I have all the time in the world for someone who can identify a problem and want to work together toward a solution; not so much for someone who has an issue with no way of fixing it.
When it comes to these community events and organizations – especially minor sports – everyone seems to forget that volunteers are the integral cog in the machine that make it work.
And it just so happens that volunteers are dwindling in, well, pretty much every organization you can think of.
According to Volunteer Canada, a registered charity whose objective is to provide leadership in increasing volunteerism for groups across the country, 65 per cent of organizations in Canada report a shortage of volunteers, with 35 per cent of those groups having to reduce services as a result. Those numbers are based on November 2022 Statistics Canada data.
As a parent and someone who works full-time, I can understand why volunteerism has fallen – we live busy lives, and something has to give. However, the next time you say you don’t have time to volunteer, step back and think about it some more.
If you have kids in sports, you don’t have to coach. Teams need scorekeepers, parent liaisons, snack schedule maker… there are several things you can do.
If you have been asked to join a community organization, see if they have “at large” membership options where you can volunteer when available. These organizations understand you may have a lot on your plate and can’t make every meeting, but you can help with the club’s big event once a year.
Or if you see an event you want to help with, see if they offer opportunities to help the day of the event. More hands make for lighter work, and most groups will not turn you away.
Most importantly, and I can’t stress this enough, is that if you have an issue with how something is being done in a group you belong to, go about raising that issue with the group the right way. Don’t do it on Facebook, or by standing off to the side and whispering to another parent. Reach out, provide your feedback, and be prepared with suggestions on how to solve the perceived issue.
Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
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Mike Wilson is the editor of Midwestern Newspapers. Comments and feedback are welcome at mwilson@midwesternnewspapers.com.
