CigDaze

Pay to volunteer???????

WTF?

That's a crock of sh!t.

chuckbeecher

If I remember correctly, that some races such as Corpus Christi actually supplied hotel rooms to the out of town boat volunteers and maybe it was all out of town volunteers.
Does anyone remember? Somewhere else did it too I believe.

Ron P

Someone find out some facts and post them. I HIGHLY doubt this is an OSS issue. The local club are the ones to round up the volunteer boats, not the santioning body.

Fast Shafts

If one were to "pay" to volunteer, and God forbid be involved in a incident on the race course, would your insurace company then claim that you "paid" to have your boat in a "dangerous" position and decline any claims? Would this take the liability off the race promoter?
The volunteers at the OPA races do an oustanding job. I just returned from racing in Atlantic City, and spoke with several volunteers (and thanked them) who became seasick due to the rough water, 4-6' waves. Many said that allthough they were sick, they love volunteering (and the front row seats.)
Prior to racing I volunteered, it's absurd to charge them for their generous help. Just as volunteer first aid squads (and fire companies) are the "backbone" for EMS, these volunteer Sweep boats, Medical boats, Pace boats and tow boats are the backbone of an organized race. With out these boats, there is no race.

thedonz

This has to be a misunderstanding. No way I can believe they actually asked you to pay to have the privelege of volunteering your services. I just came back from the Dania SBI races. I volunteered my boat for the first time and was asked, very politely and appreciatively, whether I would mind being a medical boat because of the size and center console configuration. Not only were they extremely polite, but truly made me feel appreciated. I was given passes for me and my friends to the private party last night, free t-shirts, and treated my friends and me to the buffet for the racers and their families after the race. Obviously, I had the best seat in the house as we were Medical Boat #1 stationed on the south end of the course between turns 1 & 2. It was a great experience for me and the rescue divers/firemen on board thanked me repeatedly for the help. I was not looking for thanks, but everyone involved with the race; from the racers to the emergency personnel to the promoters, were great and like I've said repeatedly here very appreciative. I will not hesitate to do this again. HOWEVER, if they asked me to pay in order to be allowed to volunteer my services.....B/S!!!! I'll watch the race from my boat along the course and not worry about having the engines running for the two hours and keeping a constant lookout for any emergencies.....I'd be having a beer, cheering the racers and chillin.

boatme

Ok gang here is the poop

As the PAST promoters of the Grand Haven Offshore races for the last two years, we would like to start out by saying thank you to all our volunteers. Your efforts were incredible at our event, controlling over 2000 spectator boats on the water and helping in many other areas as well

We have herd of this charging of volunteers for a while now by the NEW promoters for the upcoming race and we too are dismayed by it

For the record!!! We are NOT involved with this group in any way!!!

We can understand charging a sponsorship for being a start finish boat, as there are some perks in that position, but to be charging the very persons that make this event safe and do it with there own equipment and gas is very disturbing to say the least

Something has to be done to get more revenue for these races as it cost a lot of money. At the end of the week any shortfalls have to be paid by the promoter charging volunteers is NOT the way to do this

In effect a promoter works his tail off, losses much time from work and family,
makes more enemies and gets to pay all shortfalls out of their pockets. (It is a thankless job) That being said it would cost a lot more if we had to hire staff to do what volunteers have done for us in the past years

What we have learned in promoting races is as follows:

How do you make a FEW friends in offshore racing?
Start out with A LOT of friends in offshore racing!!!

We enjoy promoting the SOTW poker run much more, as there is very little politics involved with Poker Runs and everyone seems to get along at our Poker Run event

For the record; LMORA, (Cherie’ & Marc) are not in any way involved in this years race in Grand Haven Michigan but we wish the new group WMPA good luck and most of all, the racers a safe race

The facts to what is charged this year to be a volunteer can be found on the NEW promoting group’s web site

www.wmpaoffshore.com

Click on "Course boat" on the side or at the bottom of the page and it will show you this is not a rumor but fact of condition to be a volunteer

Good luck and safe racing

Marc & Cherie’
Lake Michigan Offshore Racing Association
(LMORA)

dyno

F- them Rob!!!! I've always helped in the past also.....forget them....

Phantom1

I guess this OSS promotor heard how much money was lost at the OSS St Pete race. Amazing-

MEDICAL/PATROL/PICKET BOATS -
Requirements:
Minimum 28 Ft
VHF Radio - 8 Ft. Antenna to support flag
GPS
100 ft of tow line
Cost:
$100 includes - 4 Weekend event passes
2 Staff t-shirts
2 Event t-shirts
1 Flag

TURN BOATS -
Requirements:
Minimum 40 ft
VHF Radio - 8 ft Antenna to support flag
GPS
Anchor Line
Cost:
$1000 includes - 6 weekend event passes
2 VIP passes
2 Event t-shirts
2 Staff t-shirts
1 Flag

START/FINISH BOAT -
Requirements:
Minimum 50ft
VHF Radio - 8 ft. antenna to support flag
GPS
Anchor Line
Cost:
$2500 includes - 10 Weekend event passes
4 VIP passes
4 Event t-shirts
2 Staff t-shirts
1 Flag

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A NATIONAL EVENT
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT

CigDaze

UnF'inBelievable...

Gee, maybe putting on a race does cost a lot of money afterall...

dhlaw

Thats no chump change!!!