[KYHAM] KEN Training for November 2004: Dangers of Being a Leader or Follower

[Ron Dodson]

As we all went to the polls on Nov. 2, everyone had to consider, who, in 
their opinion, was the best leader for the next four years of our 
country.  While we may or may not agree with the final outcome, it 
illustrates the importance that Leaders AND Followers, play in our 
nation.  The program for amateur radio emergency communications is also 
affected by this.  In many ways we are affected more so more so because 
we are all volunteers with other concerns that may work for or against 
our abilities as volunteers and change may further compound that 
ability. While I was working on a new segment for this month's training, 
Pat Spencer, our KyHam webmaster sent me a draft of an article along the 
same vein that he had done.  I read it and liked it much more than the 
one I was still working on.  I hope you will too. While reading this I 
had to agree that between family, my job as County EMA Director and Ky 
SEC for the ARES program, at times it is a challenge to make it all fly 
as it should.  I believe this material will also offer many others a new 
perspective as it did myself.  Thanks Pat!

73,
Ron, KA4MAP
SEC Ky

The Dangers of Being "In Charge" and the Dangers of "Following"

© 2004 Pat Spencer, KD4PWL
May be used freely for non-profit amateur radio use, please site 
www.kyham.net as source

 

I'm a volunteer! I can do what I want. Yes and No. It is all a matter of 
your level of seriousness and public perception. It also depends on your 
role within the ARES organization.

For those who are "coordinators and leaders," you are in the spotlight. 
What you say and do is just as important as what you don't say or do. If 
you chose to accept an appointment as a leader of a volunteer 
organization you had best be serious. You are confronted with real 
world, and amateur radio world expectations.

In the real world, you are a coordinator of an entire organization that 
will have relationships with government agencies that exist in a 
professional environment and have to contend with legal responsibilities 
to protect and serve the citizens of a particular geographical area.

These agencies understand the home and family pressures experienced by 
volunteers, however they don't have sympathy for broken promises. 
Remember that they have incorporated amateur radio communications into 
their emergency plans. This is no place to "pie in the sky 
salesmanship." Be realistic, and tell the truth. If you can provide 100 
people to help during a disaster, that is wonderful! If you can provide 
2, tell them. Don't assume that people will "come out of the woodwork," 
to help when there is a major disaster affecting the community - hams 
included. You cannot count on that, and neither can the government 
agencies. Remember, they are counting on you to be realistic for their 
response planning purposes.

Another pitfall of being a coordinator is "not being around." A 
volunteer you are, and your home/job/family is the most important thing. 
However, you can't accept responsibility and not be assessable to 
government agencies and the membership of your organization. If your 
life has changed, and you don't have the time/resources to lead; pass 
the torch. There is no shame in that and doing so is far more honorable 
than not doing your job as well as you think it should be done. It is a 
sign that you care because you want to see things accomplished with the 
energy of someone who has time.

"I'm a volunteer, and I will run things how I want," does not work. You 
are not a supervisor at someone's place of employment. One hundred 
percent of your "power" comes from your ability to be an effective team 
member that others will follow you due to your ability to navigate the 
overall landscape. If you are not "a part of the team," listening to 
input, and acting upon changes in the environment in an effective 
fashion you will look behind you to find only your shadow.

Wow! That is a lot of responsibility. Yes, it is. Volunteer 
organizations are very dynamic, and are wonderful because of the energy 
poured into them by people who care. As a leader of volunteers, you can 
go to the Moon, or you can sink faster than the Titanic. Whether you 
have 2 or 200 members, honest, committed effort results in the most 
satisfying experience you can have. "You made a difference."

ARES members also have dangers in participating within the organization. 
Like a coordinator, you are a volunteer who must place their home/family 
first. However, if you make commitments, fulfill them. Be honest with 
yourself about your ability to contribute. Do not take on the 
responsibility for a facility, agency or task if you cannot 
realistically fulfill them. Like a coordinator, if your life's situation 
changes and you cannot do the task as well as you think it should be 
done, pass the torch.

Another danger of volunteers is being complacent with the status quo. 
"John Doe is the EC, he needs to ask me to do it." Manure is available 
at most home and garden stores for reasonable prices. If you see a need, 
do something. Failure to try to help the situation is like failure to 
vote; you don't have the right to complain. Don't sit back and 
quarterback when you have not expended effort as a team member to help 
other ARES members and coordinators fulfill the fix the problem. 
Otherwise, you will lose the respect of others. Being a team member is 
the key. Don't go it alone, work with other members to accomplish the 
needs and goals of the group.

Consistent, honest effort and a common sense approach is the rule for 
all ARES coordinators and members. Be realistic about your capabilities, 
limitations and willingness to "get out of your recliner." Failure to do 
so will result in lack of effectiveness of the organization, can result 
in unnecessary stress, and may create situations which can lead to 
personal feelings between volunteers.

Wow! That is responsibility too! Yes, it is. Serving the community is 
not a matter of "I am a volunteer, and I can do what I want." It is a 
matter of "I am a member of a team, and other people count on me to help 
create a serious organization."