I offered to do this last year and got either one or two takers, as I recall.
I'll help if you want to try again this year.
KeS
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony Tabacco" <atabacco@california.com>
To: <Kevin_Stevens@Bigfoot.com>
Cc: <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 19:24
Subject: Re: Teeming hordes, etc.
> Here is more work for the weary. I avocate a work assignment school sometime
> during the year. True, any person honestly trying to give back what they get
> can (and will) slowly build their work skills, and it has been my
> observation that not only does this happen, it happens regularly. It is in
> our self interest though, to help this along even if it means investing some
> more time. Lots of people could learn every job and system in a single day
> without event moving the motorhome. I'll even bring the pizza.
> Tony
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kevin Stevens" <kevin_stevens@hotmail.com>
> To: <haggart@SLAC.Stanford.EDU>; <BA-AUTOX@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 12:50 PM
> Subject: Re: Teeming hordes, etc.
>
>
> > >Jeez, what's the deal with people being so defensive about the
> > >status quo? Someone asked about adding a second autocross
> > >school to the annual schedule, someone else pointed out the
> > >difficulties with doing that, and I threw out a few potential
> > >ideas that might address some of those particular difficulties.
> >
> > >Why the attitude? Making suggestions and trying to "think
> > >outside the box" are just ways to try to make things better,
> > >not to throw stones. Or do you think that everything is as
> > >perfect as it can be, that there's no way to make anything any
> > >better?
> >
> > Go right ahead. I'm not sure what you don't like about the attitude - the
> > worst thing I saw was my response to a suggestion that track vouchers
> would
> > be reasonable compensation for giving up work days. You want attitude,
> keep
> > reading. ;)
> >
> > >From the discussion, it appears that nobody has ever asked the
> > >following specific questions, so I'm going to be bold and ask
> > >them myself:
> >
> > >1) Would you ever consider instructing on a non-weekend day,
> > > or is it completely out of the question for you under all
> > > conceivable circumstances?
> >
> > If being paid the equivalent of my bill rate is "inconceivable", then yes,
> > it is completely out of the question under all circumstances.
> >
> > >2) Is there anything that you'd like to see the club provide
> > > in return for your effort and participation? You're likely
> > > to be pretty familiar with the organization, so you're also
> > > presumably aware of the limitations (e.g., no wads of $50
> > > bills). Would you appreciate a "free pass" to an event?
> > > Would track time credit at Thunderhill be appreciated?
> > > Anything?
> >
> > Personally, no. I suspect that "get out of work free" passes would hold
> the
> > highest value. Note that if you hand out a bunch of such passes to the
> > experienced instructors, you now have nobody to run the events.
> >
> > >If you'd like to comment but you prefer anonymity, please feel
> > >free to e-mail me directly and I'll summarize to the list. Be
> > >assured that I will hold all such responses in the strictest
> > >confidence.
> >
> > >And PLEASE don't rag on me for asking. If you don't ask, you
> > >don't learn.
> >
> > Sorry, can't oblige.
> >
> > Here's the deal:
> >
> > This is one more instance of people wanting things to be done FOR them.
> > Several novice autocrossers, including but certainly not limited to
> > yourself, commented that the limited school attendance was a problem and
> > they'd like to see more schools.
> >
> > The responses from the more experienced autocrossers said essentially
> three
> > things:
> >
> > a) Yes it was too bad that sites and resources limited the attendance
> > this year, and that possibly two schools could be scheduled
> > in the future.
> >
> > b) It is highly improbably that instructors could be found for
> > weekday schools.
> >
> > c) That there were a number of alternate approaches to schools
> > which were widely available at events. Jim and I each listed
> > several.
> >
> > What you're focusing on is the one solution that requires the MOST effort
> > and sacrifice for the people who are already contributing, and the LEAST
> > effort and sacrifice from the people who want help.
> >
> > I'm happy to take time out of my personal event preparation to host rookie
> > walkthroughs. I'm happy to have people ride with me even though it's
> > somewhat distracting. I'm thrilled to ride along with others and comment
> on
> > good and bad elements I see. I'm willing to donate a day of my limited
> > number of weekends to focus on bringing people up to speed and into the
> > sport. It's not a problem to spend the time accepting registration info,
> > copying and mailing event flyers, and dealing with the people who send me
> > "why didn't I get a confirmation email" messages when they didn't include
> > their email address. That's what I do to support novice autocrossers, and
> > it's a hell of a lot less than what many others do.
> >
> > Now, instead of focusing on the approach that we've suggested would
> provide
> > the greatest good to the greatest number with the least inconvenience, you
> > choose to focus on an approach that asks me to donate a day of my NON-free
> > time, in exchange for, basically, beads and trinkets. Forget it, and by
> the
> > way the offer is somewhat insulting.
> >
> > *EVERY TIME* a problem is identified, the first "solution" that comes up
> is
> > some method to further burden the people who are contributing to the
> > program, and to require less responsibility and work for the people who
> WANT
> > something from the program. I'm sorry, but the effort required to post a
> > two-question message doesn't impress me.
> >
> > Several EXCELLENT suggestions on how to come up to speed quickly have been
> > offered. They do require effort, initiative, and ambition. I know,
> because
> > I did most of them as a novice. It's your turn.
> >
> > KeS
> > _________________________________________________________________
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