[ST] [SA] Staff Den access policy...

[Bill Y]

   From: quietann <quietann at gmail.com>

   > Basically, there will be a higherarchy of volunteers.  This I understand,
   > HOWEVER,
   >
   > ... just because a person is working the art show desk, or directing
   > people in the masquerade, why does that automatically get them a full
   > weekend of meals?  I can understand one ore even two meals that makes it
   > easier to have them available at a certain time for a specific job.  But
   > every meal all weekend, just because they have an Art Show or Masquerade
   > ribbon?  Security I understand, they are on duty all the time.  Tech I even
   > understand because they are on at the oddest hours.  I just think you're
   > being too generous with some volunteers at the expense of generosity to
   > others.
   >


   Having been on staff now for a few years, and having helped run staff den,
   and knowing most of the staff, the vast majority of those folks you'll see
   wearing a regular Staff ribbon have put in HUGE amounts of time pre-con,
   and/or will do so post-con, and most work many, many hours at-con, sometimes
   just dealing on the fly with situations that arise, or, as has happened to
   me, having someone walk up to them and saying, "Oh you have a staff ribbon,
   come help me with complicated task X, or answer very tricky questions Y and
   Z to my satisfaction or I'll go find your divhead and say you're
   worthless."  We tend to joke that staff members don't even *try* to keep
   track of their volunteer hours.

   And Krikket is right; most staffers won't eat more than 2 or 3 meals in the
   Staff Den anyway.

I usually manage four meals over the con.  But since I do art show
setup and takedown, that means over thursday to sunday late.  Call it
a meal a day?  I rarely make it to the "real meals" - I'm lucky if I
get Froot Loops for breakfast and cold cuts in the toaster oven for
dinner (though I did manage to get some meatballs(?) last year.  I
can't remember too well.  It's a little hazy, but the meatballs were
good... thanks!).  Sometimes lunch is a lettuce and Marshmallow Fluff
sandwich.  Sometimes lunch is whatever I find in my Utilikilt.
Sometimes that's from a previous con.  Maybe I should wash my
Utilikilt more often.  But I digress.

Staff ribbons mean "you are on duty.  All the time.  Instantly".

Staff means "keep the con running".  If you can competently fix it, do
so.  If you can't, you need to find someone.  You can't just ignore
the issue and go to the panel / watch the movie / see the art show.
If it needs cleaning up, you help.  

There is no such thing as "not my department".  There is "I am not
competent" - which means your metaproblem is immediately "find the
competent person"- which is still your problem.

You miss dinner trips and parties because something got all sideways
and three tons of marbles mixed with sawdust needs to get moved.  You
need to watch the gophers and make sure even the most dedicated gopher
has a good time and gets fed.

If you have a staff ribbon, your time is not your own.  At all.  
However, your body is still going to need sustenance.  That is why
Staff Den exists.

    - Crash