MNFurs Volunteering and Events – Your Thoughts

[Kurst Hyperyote]

For those that don’t know MNFurs is part of Minnesota Furs, a Minnesota 501c3 non-profit, that’s purpose is to help educate and connect people to the furry fandom and the outside community.

All of our events are run by local members of the group. It’s intention is to help get other events going and advertises other local furry events.

Our goal has always been to help get people to make their own events and provide a “space” for people to talk to them. That is why we give volunteer hours to people for helping out planning and putting on local events that these volunteer hours can be used to direct where this group is going.

So the question I have for you is what can be done to help get more events and get you the members of MNFurs more involved in the community. Because this is not just my group, his group, or her group… This is your group, the community group and I personally want more community involvement.

Kurst “I know this might bring up drama – but I want to hear from you” Hyperyote

Member of Minnesota Furs a 501c3 Non Profit, former Convention Chairman for Furry Migration, volunteer, and always doings lots of other stuff.

Feel free to ask questions because I'm here for you!
Kurst "YipYap" Hyperyote

[Drake M.]

I suppose one idea that might be interesting and could help is having an event where many community members can play a small role in bringing it together.  For example, and the most obvious, is having a co-head…A co-head is your second in command and can help you in the grand scheme of things.  To add on to this, in that grand scheme, see if you can assign other small roles for people to play in helping you (or you and your co-head) make it all happen.

I know from lots of experience that events do not just happen over night.  Takes lots of work from where you want it and so on.

I have many other ideas too, but I would then have a wall of text.  XP

~ Drake M.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Drake M..

T H €  B | Z   F [] X

MNFurs Photography Department - In being part of Photography, we are here to assist in taking photos at MNFurs-sanctioned events.  Please email [email protected] with questions in how we can help.

MNFurs Merchandise Department -  Working together to get you fun organization-branded merchandise, have an idea?  Email us [email protected] and we will assist you.

MNFurs ~ 501(c3) Non-Profit Organization

[Buckeye]

I like Drake’s idea of having smaller roles. I have a number of things that I would like to see done or tried but I don’t have the time or focus to actually get anything big done (I have what I like to call Shiny Object Syndrome, I get an idea work on it for a bit then something new comes along and then that new thing is my focus, it’s a never ending cycle)

Another thing I would like to see would be some rewards/recognition other than voting and a mnfurs email address. Even something as simple as a volunteers only pizza party at GPS, a piece of leftover Furry Migration swag, a small discount $5/10 on next years FM or even a drawing for a registration/sponsor upgrade.

[Drake M.]

Buckeye wrote:

I like Drake’s idea of having smaller roles. I have a number of things that I would like to see done or tried but I don’t have the time or focus to actually get anything big done

It’s always nice to have your main event head in charge of the grand scheme and then having the assistance in between.  Team work from volunteers help get things done more quick and everyone can learn a thing or two.

Another thing I would like to see would be some rewards/recognition other than voting and a mnfurs email address. Even something as simple as a volunteers only pizza party at GPS, a piece of leftover Furry Migration swag, a small discount $5/10 on next years FM or even a drawing for a registration/sponsor upgrade.

We did do a volunteers party a couple of months ago at the Machine Shed, but unfortunately these do not happen very often.  I love this idea and would love to see someone run with this…This will be more board-driven though.

~ Drake M.

T H €  B | Z   F [] X

MNFurs Photography Department - In being part of Photography, we are here to assist in taking photos at MNFurs-sanctioned events.  Please email [email protected] with questions in how we can help.

MNFurs Merchandise Department -  Working together to get you fun organization-branded merchandise, have an idea?  Email us [email protected] and we will assist you.

MNFurs ~ 501(c3) Non-Profit Organization

[AtomiK]

Drake M. wrote:

I suppose one idea that might be interesting and could help is having an event where many community members can play a small role in bringing it together. For example, and the most obvious, is having a co-head…

~ Drake M.

I really like this idea too, especially as a newer member. I’d love to volunteer my time, but I have such a messy schedule and don’t know anyone here yet, so it’d be nice to be able to ease into it by helping out in smaller rolls as I get to know everyone as well as how everything works around here 🙂

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by AtomiK.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by AtomiK.

Andrew - https://atomik.smugmug.com/

[Shoku]

Well I know The Minnesota Force does a lot of events around town; movie openings, parades, that sort of thing.  They do a lot of bell ringing for Salvation Army too.  Fursuitters might be well suited to that given the usual weather.  I know it’s the time I feel most comfortable outside in mine.

"The problem is not that there are too many idiots in the world, the problem is the distribution of lightning."
- Mark Twain

[Kurst Hyperyote]

Drake M. wrote:

I suppose one idea that might be interesting and could help is having an event where many community members can play a small role in bringing it together. For example, and the most obvious, is having a co-head…A co-head is your second in command and can help you in the grand scheme of things. To add on to this, in that grand scheme, see if you can assign other small roles for people to play in helping you (or you and your co-head) make it all happen.
I know from lots of experience that events do not just happen over night. Takes lots of work from where you want it and so on.
I have many other ideas too, but I would then have a wall of text. XP
~ Drake M.

Here is my opinion –

A wall of text is still a wall of text – but can be informative. If you feel it would help feel free to post or email. If rather just do a conversation that’s good too.

But cross training, co head, easing people in is always a good idea. While some things look easy and well they might be easy. Sometimes cross training and just well helping out makes it easier to get involve instead of both feet first.

Member of Minnesota Furs a 501c3 Non Profit, former Convention Chairman for Furry Migration, volunteer, and always doings lots of other stuff.

Feel free to ask questions because I'm here for you!
Kurst "YipYap" Hyperyote

[Kurst Hyperyote]

Buckeye wrote:

(some stuff cut)
Another thing I would like to see would be some rewards/recognition other than voting and a mnfurs email address. Even something as simple as a volunteers only pizza party at GPS, a piece of leftover Furry Migration swag, a small discount $5/10 on next years FM or even a drawing for a registration/sponsor upgrade.

(puts a more board hat on) As MNFurs is a non-profit and a community oriented organization we want to be making sure we keep events as low priced as possible aka free or cost of food/admission. We don’t want to discourage people from coming to our events. That’s why you see something like our Picnics we take donations. So we don’t really take much money in other those on and off donations there.

When the group does spend money we want as many people to benefit. Like Christmas parties and events.

As Drake mentioned – We have thrown in a past volunteer appreciation events but they haven’t been well attended.

Also Furry Migration itself is it’s own thing – they have their own separate finances and own accounts. They are also still getting off the ground. So they can’t help out much for giving things to the local group, yet.

So it really does reduce our options.

Mind you I haven’t ruled out in short or long term any of those ideas including volunteer parties. I am definably writing these down and want to think/explore how to expand and do.

Member of Minnesota Furs a 501c3 Non Profit, former Convention Chairman for Furry Migration, volunteer, and always doings lots of other stuff.

Feel free to ask questions because I'm here for you!
Kurst "YipYap" Hyperyote

[Drake M.]

Kurst Hyperyote wrote:

But cross training, co head, easing people in is always a good idea. While some things look easy and well they might be easy. Sometimes cross training and just well helping out makes it easier to get involve instead of both feet first.

Good points here…I feel this is something that could be arranged and can be very educational.  If some volunteers are eager and willing to learn, this could be something to draw more involvement.  🙂

~ Drake M.

T H €  B | Z   F [] X

MNFurs Photography Department - In being part of Photography, we are here to assist in taking photos at MNFurs-sanctioned events.  Please email [email protected] with questions in how we can help.

MNFurs Merchandise Department -  Working together to get you fun organization-branded merchandise, have an idea?  Email us [email protected] and we will assist you.

MNFurs ~ 501(c3) Non-Profit Organization

[Kurst Hyperyote]

Snow wrote:

Well I know The Minnesota Force does a lot of events around town; movie openings, parades, that sort of thing. They do a lot of bell ringing for Salvation Army too. Fursuitters might be well suited to that given the usual weather. I know it’s the time I feel most comfortable outside in mine.

Again it’s more getting people to do it and schedule. It’s not that we don’t want to do things heck I have pages upon pages of suggested ideas/events. It’s that we don’t getting people to volunteer to setup times and just run events.

Some of our local community members do during the Christmas time help animal rescue groups so it’s in essence like bell ringing except more fuzzier 🙂

Member of Minnesota Furs a 501c3 Non Profit, former Convention Chairman for Furry Migration, volunteer, and always doings lots of other stuff.

Feel free to ask questions because I'm here for you!
Kurst "YipYap" Hyperyote

[Kurst Hyperyote]

Drake M. wrote:

Kurst Hyperyote wrote:

But cross training, co head, easing people in is always a good idea. While some things look easy and well they might be easy. Sometimes cross training and just well helping out makes it easier to get involve instead of both feet first.

Good points here…I feel this is something that could be arranged and can be very educational. If some volunteers are eager and willing to learn, this could be something to draw more involvement.
~ Drake M.

In the past we had sessions – group talks but the people who went to them were well already volunteering 🙂 I don’t know trying to do another session like that again would help. But I’m all ears if people would like to try something like that or just shadow people who are running events.

Member of Minnesota Furs a 501c3 Non Profit, former Convention Chairman for Furry Migration, volunteer, and always doings lots of other stuff.

Feel free to ask questions because I'm here for you!
Kurst "YipYap" Hyperyote

[AtomiK]

My biggest issue with being new and trying to volunteer is my work schedule. It’s much different than most peoples (I work every other weekend) and have really obscure days off, at least to those used to normal Mon-Fri type work. i also work night shift, adding on another layer of confusion.

I’m really eager to get more involved in this community, but with my odd schedule and usually no more than 2 days off in a row it makes things difficult. Planning ahead more than a month helps out a lot, but nothing is 100% with my schedule…

I’m sure meeting everyone at the picnic in a few weeks will help motivate me even more, and before long hopefully I’ll find something that fits my schedule to come help out 🙂

Andrew - https://atomik.smugmug.com/

[Crescent]

I am also hoping to get more involved. And like was said before with my job I work every weekend so I need at least a months notice to try and get off. Obviously more notice makes it easier.

avatar done by Rebel

[Amethyst]

Drake M. wrote:

Kurst Hyperyote wrote:

But cross training, co head, easing people in is always a good idea. While some things look easy and well they might be easy. Sometimes cross training and just well helping out makes it easier to get involve instead of both feet first.

Good points here…I feel this is something that could be arranged and can be very educational. If some volunteers are eager and willing to learn, this could be something to draw more involvement.
~ Drake M.

Volunteering is fun and can be a lot of work. I wouldn’t mind helping in anyway I can from home. For example if you want to go to the “Feed My Starving Children” to pack meals — I could make arrangements for you. But I am thinking I may be staying close to home for a bit.

Amethyst

Help me remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together cannot handle!

[Author]

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