I have once again ventured out to volunteer on two local Democratic campaigns. One is for state representative and one is for a congressional representative.
So far so good with me and the congressional campaign staff I’ve met. They have been very polite and patient teaching this old dog new tricks when it comes to the latest apps and programs for knocking on doors and phone banking. They are open to suggestions. And they remember to thank me.
But not so well with one staffer on the state rep campaign. We started with door knocking and informed him I don’t go alone after the first training run. My request was not taken seriously. Next he texted me a request to volunteer with a time and place and no note as to what we’d be doing. I replied that I would be there. Only it was the wrong time — 2 hours too early and he seemed a little annoyed that I wasn’t a mind reader and didn’t know he’d made a mistake. No apology.
So I left and returned 2 hours later for what was to be a phone bank. A group showed up to train on a new computer program for phone banking which the two staffers were trying to get working. I was watching the screen trying to learn how to use it but apparently me peering at the screen annoyed him and he asked me to give him some space. I stepped over to the more crowded table with the nicer staffer, went through the tutorial and decided to go home to make the calls using my own lap top.
Except the staffers didn’t correctly register us with this program so I couldn’t get into the program during the 2 hour time period I had planned to make calls. Between the help desk and the more patient staffer, I got into the right program but too late for me to make calls.
I wasted several hours of my time not to mention gas that day and it left me not willing to return. I realize staff is used to doing things at a minute’s notice, but volunteers usually need some notice and planning. We volunteers have other jobs and obligations.
I realize that the paid staff is tired, not sleeping or eating well and putting in long hours. However, the campaign depends on volunteers and paid staff are the contact the volunteer has with the campaign. I’ve done my share of campaigning for local and federal candidates as well as several presidential campaigns. I’ve even house out of state volunteers. But I am getting too old to tolerate rudeness, disrespect and dismissal. I’ll go where I’m wanted and appreciated.
I’m done ranting. I feel better now.