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parkrun thread

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shyfire Oct 2021 2:49pm, 30 Oct 2021 345 posts	Quote Pin shyfire Actually am being daft and took 59:59 threat a little far since without scanners you wouldn't know who the runners were obviously Parkrun volunteer hub, totally viewable to all lists the essential roles. Volunteering shouldn't be compulsory there are many reasons why someone might not be able or comfortable doing so. But if that doesn't apply the odd stint once in a blue moon wouldn't go amiss.
hellywobs Oct 2021 2:53pm, 30 Oct 2021 39 posts	Quote Pin hellywobs When I finished today I heard one of our regular race directors, who'd finished a bit ahead of me, saying we didn't have enough barcode scanners today. But there were five, and three were available - no queues at all. She might have meant not enough for our regular numbers, but because the weather was rubbish we had fewer people than usual. I can't use the scanner app on my Android phone and I wonder if that puts a few people off. Maybe use of the app should be very strongly encouraged, but not compulsory. The old style scanners had their problems but didn't depend on a compatible smartphone. I do have a work Apple mobile so I might download the app to that and see how I get on.
Hunkyteddy Oct 2021 3:02pm, 30 Oct 2021 1,446 posts	Quote Pin Hunkyteddy Hellywobs that seems a bit OTT. I dont think that the scanner: runner ratio is rigidly enforced. I would be more than happy with a wait to scan. As for the app, I don't think they will turn the clock back. The opticons have all been ditched and with more and more modern phones being used there should be fewer incompatible phones.
mrs shanksi Oct 2021 3:13pm, 30 Oct 2021 13,030 posts	Quote Pin mrs shanksi I was impressed today when the phone app managed to scan some very soggy paper barcodes.
LindsD Oct 2021 4:59pm, 30 Oct 2021 50,490 posts	Quote Pin LindsD Decision is made by RD of that week. HQ do not enforce the extra scanners rule.
Zorba Oct 2021 5:11pm, 30 Oct 2021 1,824 posts	Quote Pin Zorba That's interesting , LindsD .In Scotland it certainly feels as if RD's are interpreting the protocols very strictly , leading to these cancellations and subsequent gaslighting of participants into volunteering.
LindsD Oct 2021 5:13pm, 30 Oct 2021 50,496 posts	Quote Pin LindsD We have struggled to fill our roster many times, including before the pandemic, but worse since. We often have to say we might have to cancel, and I said it in my run brief last time I was RD. It's definitely not gaslighting, but it's also not Covid (for our parkrun). I can't speak for any other parkrun. Why do you call it gaslighting? Do you think they genuinely don't need the volunteers?
Dooogs Oct 2021 5:17pm, 30 Oct 2021 7,598 posts	Quote Pin Dooogs Guilt-tripping rather than gaslighting? (Although gaslighting would fit if a theoretical RD was claiming there weren't enough volunteers to run it, when there technically were the minimum required already?)
Zorba Oct 2021 5:18pm, 30 Oct 2021 1,825 posts	Quote Pin Zorba Point taken .Guilt tripping
LindsD Oct 2021 5:23pm, 30 Oct 2021 50,497 posts	Quote Pin LindsD How else would you suggest I proceed if on Thursday morning I don't have enough volunteers to put on a run?