Geoff Schoenberg

From March to September last year, I was working on WorldSkills Calgary 2009. As the Volunteer Operations Manager I worked with a team of six others to try and coordinate over 70,000 volunteer hours spread over 3000+ volunteers. Leading our team was Maureen, the Volunteer Director. I firmly believe (and am sure others would agree) that without Maureen, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 would not have been nearly the success it was. So, I present for you, eleven things I learned about events from Mo…

(For more about WorldSkills Calgary 2009, click here or use google).

1. It doesn’t matter who does it or who should be doing it or who is responsible for doing it, it matters that it gets done. Sort it out later. If someone dropped the ball, you shouldn’t let their mistake sacrifice the event for the participants.

2. Plan for the majority. No matter what you do, there will always be people who will take advantage of the system. Accept that will happen. Make sure you don’t let that minority force you into actions that will be a detriment to the experience of the rest.

3. People power is strongest. Invest in staff and they will reward you. Empower them, support them and guide them. Know when to hold a hand and direct and know when to let them walk their own path.

4. Adapt, adapt, adapt. Develop a robust plan. If it fails, change what you are doing. Don’t worry about why it failed until until after the event. People will understand if you tell them why things are different than they expected.

5. Food and drink make people happy. No matter how miserable a day may have been, if you give someone some food and a beer, they are likely to forgive and understand. People are far less likely to complain if they know you are looking out for them.

6. Talk to everyone you can, even if it’s for a brief moment. Show you care. People will remember. You never know which people might turn out to be amazing and help in ways you couldn’t possible imagine.

7. Work the hardest. Get there early. Stay late.

8. An interview is about the candidate. Make them want the job. Pay attention to the person, not the qualifications, especially in young people, just cause they haven’t done it, doesn’t mean they can’t.

9. Have parties! Celebrate the start, the middle and the end. Celebrate meeting new people and saying goodbye to new friends. Parties create friendships and friendships lead to better teams.

10. Don’t focus on what has happened. Focus on what can be.

11. Stay hydrated. (Those of you who worked with Mo knows what this means…. Those of you who know me, can probably guess… For the rest of you, always remember your water bottle!)

My WorldSkills Calgary 2009 experience was memorable. Thank you to all the volunteers who gave so much and put up with so much. Thanks to the WorldSkills staff, especially to the V-team (Laura Lee, Rachael, Kevin, Chantel, Jason and Emily). And, obviously, thanks to Maureen. Thanks to her, I met some amazing people, learned some valuable lessons and created fantastic memories. (I guess this post is in direct violation of rule 10… but I think it’s alright to look back once in a while…)

Addendum Jan 22: As noted by Laura Lee, I missed perhaps the most crucial one of all…

12. Other Duties as Assigned are the most crucial words on a job description and should be included whenever possible. You simply never know when you may be called on to do something unexpected or need to call on someone else.