Recruiting/Retaining Workers

[Super Dave]

I think this applys here...

My wife said that she needed to hear three words before she would sleep with me...

And I thought for a moment and said..."I'll pay you!"

But seriously, I pay my cornerworkers at my school and give them lunch.  Why doesn't CCS, WERA, AHRMA or AMA etc do this?  Or do they?  A pat on the back is nice, but being treated as a professional by being paid...that's priceless.

[LauraCole]

A lot of times the AMA and CCS pay the "group" that works the events.  That is why joining the safety workers group is beneficial - because that is sort of how you get paid.  The groups then take the money from working the event and use it for meals, shirts, prizes and other such things.  They also sometimes need to use it for equipment.  

We pay our workers for club events, but when F-USA comes in for the national, we put that money into the bank.

[EmerWil]

Dave...you said the following:

 A pat on the back is nice, but being treated as a professional by being paid

I have a little issue with that...What about volunteer firefighters?  Do you also feel that a firefighter has to be paid to be professional?  Why does someone have to be paid to be "professional"?

Thats what's wrong with this world right now. Everyone wants to be paid.  People want to be paid for burning their tongues after drinking hot coffee from McDonalds...People want to get paid because they said cigarette companies forced them to smoke...People want to get paid for doing something they want to be doing anyway?

Sometimes people do things for the fun of it...Sometimes people do things because they want to be there.  Sometimes people even do things for the benefit of others.

Thank God I volunteer with MARRC and I'm damn proud of doing it for free.

[TrackBrat]

Ok, now I have issues on this subject.  I am a 13 year veteran of corner working and not just motorcycles.  I have seen and heard it all...
To be honest to the best of my knowledge....this is how I see it....


WERA brings in people from military bases and by flyers, who some have no knowledge or concern for the riders safety....they were told lunch and a good time when I was with them.  I saw beer cans on the stations and alot of "other left overs"  while they conducted a "professional" event. The only training recieved for them was a 10 minute worker meeting in the morning and placed alone on corners with no experienced "marshalls" . This is why I quit for 8 yrs.  I had no want or desire to be in an event where the people I have grown up with were in danger.

CCS, on the other hand, will bring you in and make you train with another experienced worker for at least one yr.  I'll be honest.....I'm tired of training!
I want to be on my corner with experienced workers and know that whatever happens, I have the edge to make what has to happen ...happen!

The issue for getting paid, however, it has it's own deal going. I will volunteer in a second to do this anywhere in the country...however my income is limited.  I can't just pick up and leave when I get the call.  Nor can most in our business without at least expense pay.  

The price may be high in some instances .  I work for the best crew in the southeast.  Most of us have been together without fail for 10 years.  But, we have never failed to deliver the best to our riders or ourselves.  

Whether you work for free or you get paid expenses........who are you really there for???

[TrackBrat]

Okie, I left the other response open mostly because I was on someone elses puter and had to leave in a hurry.  I wanted to originally speak on burn-out.  I have faced it with a lot of other people.  Come on it happens!!   But the best relief I have found for me was simply getting out and meeting the riders and their families.  Sooner or later you all become a family and share each others interests.  Then, on top of that, the staff and cornerworkers go eat dinner and party on Saturday nights.  It all eventually becomes a way of life.  Not a job.

As far as my association between WERA and CCS,  I apologize if I offend anyone.  Just back when I was working both at the same time,  safety was my main issue.  This had then became my family that was on the track.

I worked WERA for the first time in 8 yrs at the GNF'S this year and found a brand new bunch.  Faynicia is an awesome race control.  I have to say that I would be more than happy to work with her again.  

CCS, well my mom and Allan run the show and they are great.  I am no member of any " corner marshall ' group,  but we do the job.  And we go all over the place.


The issue on getting paid for it.............well I do.  And I will never be ashamed of it.  I would be more than happy to be a volunteer if my own finances could afford it.  However, I don't make enough during the week to pay for what I have as it is.  Getting paid should not be compared to others stupidity by any means, especially coffee being spilt in McDonalds.  We do this by choice.  

I love the sport and will do it till I can't do it anymore.  What is the price for experience?  Can anyone name it??  Experience comes in many forms.  90% of the people brought in new are more likely to have more incentive to be better workers being paid than those who aren't.  Sad fact, but, it's true.  Volunteers are the best!!!!!!!!  I'd just love to have the means to be one constantly.  

See you guys at the track!

[one_love_RR]

I have a found rasing idea.

What if at each track, twice per race season, CCS and other sanssions make a donation (entry fee) of one race to the corner workers and safty crews Piggy bank. Even if just for those two races the an additional $5 is added to each riders entrie fee. I would not mind paying it

Kevin AM # 508  

[rabbit]

what ways do you use to keep workers loose and happy during the day?

[Tracy]

Hey Rabbit!!! I am not sure how we do it, but we just get along well on the corner.  I know we need more volonteers out there, but that will happen in due time..  We take our job seriously, and safe, but that does not mean a squirt gun is out of the question.... or a grill!!!