Volunteering or recreating?
Thu, 9 Dec 1999, 07:53 amGrant Malcolm8 posts in thread
Volunteering or recreating?
Thu, 9 Dec 1999, 07:53 amWhen you commit to working on a community theatre production, are you volunteering or recreating?
We don't generally expect that volunteers should have to pay for the privilege of donating their efforts to the community.
On the other hand, as the user-pays principle permeates every facet of our society, recreation has been commoditised and we're paying more and more for it.
How would you counter an argument that community theatre companies are providing recreation opportunities not volunteer services and as such members should be paying fees commensurate with membership of a health club?
Cheers
Grant
We don't generally expect that volunteers should have to pay for the privilege of donating their efforts to the community.
On the other hand, as the user-pays principle permeates every facet of our society, recreation has been commoditised and we're paying more and more for it.
How would you counter an argument that community theatre companies are providing recreation opportunities not volunteer services and as such members should be paying fees commensurate with membership of a health club?
Cheers
Grant
RE: Volunteering or recreating?
Thu, 9 Dec 1999, 06:30 pmWalter Plinge
Hi guys!! Long time reader, first time gossiper!! Not that this is gossip, more like some quite serious and fascinating discussion.
Up until the beginning of this year I was involved in every one of Kwinana Theatre Workshop's productions as well as Theatre Studies at UWA and the occasional Grads and UDS show. My devotion to community theatre astounds my mates and frustrates my out-of-theatre friends, who could never find me because I was always in a little black box somewhere. I worked hard on the productions I did, to better the show and learn new skills. Making mates came along with it as a bonus. I think I was volunteering at that stage.
I am rushed in this message due to the fact that tonight I have fulfil the ever joyous position of Front of House Manager for my local theatre group's Xmas show. I have been too busy all year to really get in and act, stage manage, or tech any shows and my participation level has gone to zip - or rather to the level of FOH (for every show!!) I miss my friends in the group and always "volunteer" for FOH duties.
But I do this for a few reasons, 1) I get to see my mates on stage and behind the scenes doing their best to bring a form of "recreation" to the audience, myself being one, that turn up. 2) I feel guilty that my services have been directed else where this year and my time and (little amount of) skill cannot be "volunteered " to them anymore. 3) And it is in fact the time before and after the show, chatting, catching up, and laughing about the nights mishaps that I enjoy most. I do recreate in amateur theatre therefore more than volunteer now a days.
I feel a little confused on this question but find it an interesting dilemmak around tonight and get some opinions. I'll get back to you.
I think though that regardless the desire to receate or volunteer - both facits occur. It's kind of like the chicken or the egg, either could come first and each person decides (until God comes along and gives us Her/His answer!)
Thanks for the chat,
Kerry-Anne
Up until the beginning of this year I was involved in every one of Kwinana Theatre Workshop's productions as well as Theatre Studies at UWA and the occasional Grads and UDS show. My devotion to community theatre astounds my mates and frustrates my out-of-theatre friends, who could never find me because I was always in a little black box somewhere. I worked hard on the productions I did, to better the show and learn new skills. Making mates came along with it as a bonus. I think I was volunteering at that stage.
I am rushed in this message due to the fact that tonight I have fulfil the ever joyous position of Front of House Manager for my local theatre group's Xmas show. I have been too busy all year to really get in and act, stage manage, or tech any shows and my participation level has gone to zip - or rather to the level of FOH (for every show!!) I miss my friends in the group and always "volunteer" for FOH duties.
But I do this for a few reasons, 1) I get to see my mates on stage and behind the scenes doing their best to bring a form of "recreation" to the audience, myself being one, that turn up. 2) I feel guilty that my services have been directed else where this year and my time and (little amount of) skill cannot be "volunteered " to them anymore. 3) And it is in fact the time before and after the show, chatting, catching up, and laughing about the nights mishaps that I enjoy most. I do recreate in amateur theatre therefore more than volunteer now a days.
I feel a little confused on this question but find it an interesting dilemmak around tonight and get some opinions. I'll get back to you.
I think though that regardless the desire to receate or volunteer - both facits occur. It's kind of like the chicken or the egg, either could come first and each person decides (until God comes along and gives us Her/His answer!)
Thanks for the chat,
Kerry-Anne
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