Lincoln was our first experience of marshalling a big Fun rally, although we did assist at Jaws Bash earlier in the year. Hopefully the following jottings may help other first-timers!
Thanks to Polly and Dave as marshals-in-chief for showing us the ropes and Margaret and Eddy for being great team players.
Lessons learned:
Robin & Hilary.
Thanks to Polly and Dave as marshals-in-chief for showing us the ropes and Margaret and Eddy for being great team players.
Lessons learned:
- You cannot please all the people all the time.
- Keep Smiling!
- Everyone may have individual needs, but as a marshal you cannot possibly meet all of them. However, with a bit of lateral thinking some things can be achieved that make the individual really happy.
- An electric bike is a massive boon.
Needs lights and a charging facility.
- Walkie talkies would have helped no end and saved poor Eddy and Dave many miles a day up and down the field. Perhaps someone has an old unused set laying around they might donate to Jim for use in bigger rallies?
- People are queueing up to come in hours before the gates are scheduled to open.
- Keep Smiling!
- Those with children need to be asked to prevent them from cycling or running around moving motorhomes. After dark, all cyclist should have lights. Maybe as marshals, set aside a “let of steam” area in a safe place for the children.
- If there are enough marshals, agree a schedule so that everyone gets some time off. No-one needs to be there to greet every arrival across both days.
- Keep Smiling!
- Identifying ‘New’ Funsters is difficult. Even we who been in Fun about eight years do not know people who joined around the same time. Perhaps variations in badges to consider, although I accept that bring additional costs? “Be gentle with me, it’s my first time” badges to issued and then collected (with any feedback) at the end of their first rally perhaps?
- New members really appreciate someone making the effort. Could we set up a volunteer ‘buddy’ system amongst the long termers? If each newbie had a named contact on the rally it would help them integrate.
- It would be helpful on the Saturday to have the marshals at least contactable. Perhaps a sign up with a mobile number?
- One for @Jim. We had lots of people want details and application forms, and also wanting to renew. Can we have an easy to find link in the web site to allow people to sign-up and renew please? I found it easily on a screen, but it seems to disappear on a phone!
- Smile some more! This is FUN.
Robin & Hilary.
