On 08/03/2007 03:01 PM, Craig Smith wrote: > On Aug 3, 2007, at 2:58 PM, Robert Citek wrote: >> Would it make sense to model at least some of our volunteer program >> on a fellowship or residency program: learn, work, teach, publish, >> move on? > > Hmm. Could you please elaborate?
Not sure, yet. I still need to hash the idea out a bit better in my mind. And maybe fellowship is not quite the right notion, but it may be close. Something tells me there needs to be an element of time attached to volunteering, with a definite start and end date. Beginning on the start date, volunteers are oriented. Then they are trained, work on projects, teach, etc. When their time is up, they are free to move on or volunteer for another round. But there is always a definite start and end. Fellowships, internships, enlistments, sabbaticals, training programs, political positions, and contract work all have that element of a defined period. For example, let's say ByteWorks had a "Build program" which volunteers could join. The purpose of the "Build program" would be for volunteers to learn how to build student machines, to build five student machines, and to show the next batch of volunteers how to build student machines. The program could be capped at three volunteers and last six weeks. At the end of the program, volunteers could go through the same program again or move to a different program or leave. Another example: a "Teaching program". Three volunteers get taught the material for the student class, they assist for one session, and teach at least two classes in the next session. At the end of the program, volunteers could go through the same program again or move to a different program or leave. In both cases, the numbers above are purely illustrative. Whatever program a volunteer picks, they stay with that program for the duration. The hope is that by having a defined volunteer program, we get a better handle on how many volunteers we have, what they know how to do, what they are doing, and when. Again, these are just rough ideas. Feel free to trash and thrash and propose improvements. Regards, - Robert
