by Jenine Stanley
This year, as always, there will be trained volunteers to assist conventioneers in getting around the hotel. GDUI will also offer volunteer assistance in the relief areas and with guide dog related issues. We take this opportunity to publicly thank all who work so tirelessly to find and train these community supporters of ACB.
Despite our gratitude for our volunteers’ tireless efforts to assist us, however, many years of experience have demonstrated that various convention-related circumstances can test the patience of even the most dedicated volunteers — and the most courteous and well-meaning conventioneers. When I am faced with the prospect of writing about difficult issues or potentially trying circumstances, I often turn to my personal literary hero, Dr. Seuss, who has been my mentor as I composed the following poetic advice:
A Volunteer Coordinator’s Lament
It happens every summer ‘round the first week in July
(Which is really quite a bummer ‘cause it’s a hectic time to fly).
People travel far, though, from the corners of the nation,
Just to count themselves included in this special population.
They come by plane and bus and cab with excellent intention.
Each year they keep on coming to the ACB convention.
There is much to do both day and night and new faces to meet.
There are meetings here and sessions there and food you cannot beat.
The elevators clog and jam with people busy talking.
Seats in meeting rooms are full while microphones are squawking.
Into all this chaos, the conventioneers arrive.
They look about quite dazedly, as if only half alive.
The senses blur, the ears do ring, with all the ambient voices.
A person could get lost in here, overwhelmed by all the choices.
Get lost they do and there’s no doubt, it’s ever so frustrating.
But little do the people know what confusion they’re creating.
Never fear, we’ve thought of everything to make this show run smooth.
The problem is quite simple, people don’t know where to move.
A while back someone figured out just how to solve these woes.
Provide folks with some volunteers to tell them where to go.
The call goes out now every year, in the city where we stay.
People come to help all week, or only for one day.
They come to provide service, they want to show they care.
Some of them are quite nervous, while others want to share.
ACB works with volunteers throughout the day and night.
GDUI has even more, to help things go just right.
If you aren’t in the mood to talk, just let them know this quick.
We explain in training not to pry unless someone is sick.
The great thing about ACB and GDUI too,
Is that people do things differently and some hold different views.
When training all our volunteers we try so hard to tell,
That they will hear so much advice and see so much as well.
All we ask is that they do their best to see you on your way.
They try so hard to pass this test, while learning more each day.
Each year a team coordinates this vast important throng.
But, each year — count on it — some little thing goes wrong.
This year instead of lecturing, (an idea we may explore!)
Your friendly organizers do, instead, solemnly implore:
When you’re bound up with tight schedules, at the short end of your rope
This little rhyme do remember, before you give up hope.
“Please, do not yell at volunteers.
Don’t swear at them, don’t box their ears.
They’ve gone through special training, just to help us out.
So do not be impatient. Do not mess about.”
Our advice may sound a bit too harsh, but listen to us close:
Each year we see the stress and strain as people grow morose.
With so much here to see and do, so many meetings long,
By the third day of convention, few of us can stay strong.
The volunteers can walk with you and point out meeting rooms.
They’re here to help you navigate when traffic congestion looms.
For dog guide types volunteers help out when “park time” rolls around.
They can point out relief spots and where baggies can be found.
We understand that schedules can run tight and tempers short.
We just ask you to remember, to sharpness don’t resort.
If a volunteer does something that you really can’t abide,
Come speak with us and we will help, good intentions we will guide.
Most of us are kind and appreciate all assistance.
We cannot fathom in our minds those who show resistance.
Yet throughout each convention we all find something annoying.
All the people and their canes, the dogs are not enjoying.
It’s rushing here and rushing there; appointments we must keep!
All of this plus parties too, on very little sleep.
So it’s no wonder now and then that some of us get snappy.
But please do spare our volunteers. Please try to leave them happy.
We know that almost everyone works hard to stay polite,
Policing one another when someone’s not acting right.
This year just keep it in your mind how other people feel
Through patience you may well just find new friendships and appeal.
Caption
Volunteers help keep the ACB convention running. Shown here are three volunteers, including one guy answering the telephone at the volunteer desk, a lady named Lou, and John Patterson, who also helps in the ACB Press Room.