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Posted by Bill S on June 22, 2007 at 12:05:05 pm EDT
In reply to What are other people paid to teach rappelling? posted by Pam Gaddis on June 21, 2007 at 7:32:02 pm EDT

A further comment - BSA and GSUSA, as well as other organizations working with youth, depend heavily on volunteers. So if you start pushing on the professional staff about what a bargain they are getting, you may find that they don't buy it, since you are "a volunteer." I have sometimes found it strange that they recruit volunteers (and solicit donations) with the phrase "giving back to the community" and talk about the cause and vision, yet the professionals themselves often seem more interested in the money and don't seem to have the personal dedication to "the cause" that they push for the volunteers. In addition to my involvement as Climbing Director and running and instructing in other courses, I oversee timber management on two camp properties for one council, spending an amount of time and effort that I am told by professionals in the timber management business generally gets a 6-figure salary. But as a volunteer, I am expected to generate income for the council and donate my expenses plus cash to the various fund-raising campaigns (like many volunteers, I am retired and living on a pension, so don't really have all that much available cash). Don't get me wrong. I don't begrudge them the time and effort, since BSA and GSUSA were meaningful in my family's life (my father, my sister and me, our children, my wife and her brother, etc), and I am happy to "give back". It is also true that like most non-profits and charitable organizations, BSA and GSUSA are increasingly strapped for cash.

This is not meant to suggest in any way you are out of line in expecting something for your efforts, especially if guiding and instruction are a significant source of income for you. It does cost money. Having the insurance and gear provided by the organization is good, and I believe they need to be conscious of the fact that it ain't free, folks. Like FMD, the students in the instructor training courses I run and the adult leaders when I act as instructor for the youth on unit outings do pitch in to help cover my gas money and, if I have to use my personal gear, some of the wear and tear.

I am more just cautioning you that the professional staff at the GSUSA council's office probably have an expectation that you are basically "a volunteer", hence donating your time, gear, and expenses. I see both GSUSA and BSA councils around here approaching professional climbing guide services and gyms all the time asking them to donate their services and use of their equipment. They don't seem to realize that the training required to run a safe program (and by the insurance companies) costs money, and the gear must be maintained and replaced. You should be prepared to lay out the figures to show that - "you want a safe program? I gotta keep current training and certification, and that costs, so I have to have some financial support and reimbursement here." If it is providing living expenses and is a significant part of your income, let them know that, too. And, yes, let them know what nearby climbing gyms and guide services charge. These may be apples and oranges, but it will give them an idea of what your time and effort are worth. Still, you are going to be compared to the "free" volunteers. Hard facts, so you gotta toot your own horn.

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