CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

Volunteers for cycling events - should they be paid?

(11 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by HankChief
  • Latest reply from acsimpson

  1. HankChief
    Member

    Feel free to shoot me down on this... (it is the debate section for a reason)

    A couple of requests for volunteers have been tweeted today.

    HSBC Let's ride - https://www.letsride.co.uk/city-ride-volunteer?utm_source=Direct

    Tour o' Borders - http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/sport/15493543.Volunteer_appeal_ahead_of_region__39_s_biggest_sporting_event/?ref=fbshr

    I'm all for events that get more people out on bikes, but it narks me a bit that these events are asking for unpaid volunteers.

    The HSBC ride is obviously a marketing ploy for the Bank and ToB is,I assume, being run for profit.

    Why should people work for free for the profit of others?

    Am I overreacting or is this inevitable to get Big events up and running?

    I know that LEL is highly dependant on unpaid volunteers and I was incredibly grateful for them. However I see that as different as the cost of entry was deliberately kept low to be accessible to many and any surplus from the event was going into Audax UK's coffers.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. Ed1
    Member

    The event is free to enter, if everyone was paid may cost to enter. People did not get paid for helping out an the Olympics or for elections, or for I guess for peddle parliament.

    Councillors did not get paid until recently and personally think they probably should not be. School governments magistrates don't get paid volunteer policemen don't get paid. To get silly British agents don't get paid, in fact if someone gets paid its safe to say there not performing a public service but a self service.

    If every one had to be paid for everything would be red tape and costs and stop lot of events from pleasure, sport, politics hobbies. Also if people were to be paid would evolve government minimum wage etc., although the government flout the minimum wage with the armed forces and work fare, I am sure would crack down on people performing a hobby a cycle.

    Tend to think a paid rule would ruin many events.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    "Volunteers for cycling events - should they be paid?"

    Don't think that's really the question you want to ask.

    'Should large organisations expect free help?'

    Does Audax UK have any staff? Even if it does wouldn't be enough to run all the events it does. Volunteers are doing it because they want to support others doing what they have done - or perhaps might like to.

    Lines are increasingly being blurred about 'charity' and also more commercial events.

    Sky Rides relied heavily on volunteers but at least one benefit was training for ride leaders which could be used for getting more people cycling (not just via Sky Rides).

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. paddyirish
    Member

    A lot depends on the event and the motives of the organisers.

    I only found out after riding the event about Etape Caledonia- how Marie Curie has to pay to be the named ride, how volunteers are used and how IMG (The marketing group that manage the likes of Maria Sharapova) fleece riders at about £60 per head. Some think that's worth it for closed roads, I don't and won't ride a sportive like that again. If no volunteers were there they'd put the price up further to maintain a high profit.

    However POP is a volunteer run organisation with aims that benefit all cyclists. If the volunteers weren't there it wouldn't happen.

    I've volunteered a the Pearl Izumi Tour Series in Edinburgh and quite enjoyed the experience (a few sponsors' goodies at the end were much appreciated). A friend who did that with me also did last year's Tour of Britain and was hugely disappointed by the experience.

    Similarly have stood on stands and persuaded people t give commuting to work a go. Again the benefit of having "more of us" is a very good reason to give my time.

    Ultimately it will be decided by numbers. If enough volunteers turn up with the required motivation/skills, the event will flourish, if not, it will have to scale back

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. paddyirish
    Member

    @chdot

    "'Should large organisations expect free help?'"

    Nailed it...

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. Min
    Member

    I should say it is up to people to decide if they want to volunteer to do PR for a bank for free. I would not do that, no way. I do volunteer for the RSPB though.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. HankChief
    Member

    Is it just 'commercial' cycling events that rely on volunteers?

    Does the Fireworks have unpaid volunteers?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. fimm
    Member

    I've volunteered to marshal at various races (mostly triathlons) for no other reason than to "give something back" - I also benefit from other volunteers giving up their time for races that I am doing.
    Depending on the event, you might get something like the same goody bag as the competitors get - some food, maybe a t-shirt or other memento.

    My O/H has twice been chief run marshal for a local triathlon. They pay him (and his swim and bike equivalents (£100 I think)) while the rest of the marshals won't get paid (but will get stuff; including some food provided IIRC).

    I expect that my entry fee for such races will cover stuff for marshals; it is right that it should. It is up to the race director how they budget. Such races are not run for profit.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. dougal
    Member

    I see a lot of calls for volunteers at music festivals are being asked to pay (!!!), which seems totally warped to me. If you want to make sure you've got the staff on the day EMPLOY THEM.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. remberbuck
    Member

    The Great Run Company paid their marshalls £20 for the Edinburgh 10 Miles in March, plus provided a takeaway lunch and a hooded jacket.

    Whilst I doubt if it decided anyone's mind whether to marshall or not, it's a welcome contribution to travel costs.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. acsimpson
    Member

    I volunteer at various things. Mostly charitable causes such as parkrun which couldn't do what it does without thousands of volunteers each week.

    I also voluntarily help moderate an online forum for a profit making company, it's little effort and I get a premium membership for free.

    I have taken part in both Rat Run and Tough Mudder events where they recruit volunteers and give them free or heavily discounted entry to future events which I guess is a form of payment in kind.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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