Mounted search and rescue

[Lyne Peterson <lyne@bryngyld.com>]

I agree with the cyclic nature of time folks are able or willing to dedicate 
to SAR.
 
One thing to try and mitigate the loss of trained people is to let people go 
"inactive". They won't have the burden of trying to keep up when they are too 
busy with other stuff, but the unit doesn't totally lose them, either. Some 
will be able to come back and others will end up quitting, but it helps in 
the transition.
 
Also, make the unit attractive and welcoming to new members. Sometimes it's 
hard to be welcoming again and again, but it's IMPORTANT! Assigning mentors 
can help, too.


¸..·´¨¨)) 
   ¸.·´  .·´¨¨))
 ((¸¸.·´ ..·´  . -:|:- Lyne -:|:- 
       ((¸¸.·´
Lyne Peterson
Northern California
>From una.smith@worldnet.att.net  Wed Mar 30 09:47:38 2005
Return-Path: <una.smith@worldnet.att.net>
X-Original-To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Delivered-To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Received: from mtiwmhc12.worldnet.att.net (mtiwmhc12.worldnet.att.net
        [204.127.131.116])
        by lists.ibiblio.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 920334C00B
        for <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>;
        Wed, 30 Mar 2005 09:47:38 -0500 (EST)
Received: from doliolum.localnet
        (210.phoenix-06rh15-16rt.az.dial-access.att.net[12.72.112.210])
        by worldnet.att.net (mtiwmhc12) with ESMTP
        id <2005033014473711200llvqae>; Wed, 30 Mar 2005 14:47:37 +0000
Received: (from una@localhost)
        by doliolum.localnet (8.11.6/8.11.6) id j2UElZr01423
        for msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org; Wed, 30 Mar 2005 07:47:35 -0700
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 07:47:34 -0700
From: Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>
To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [MSAR] keeping members active
Message-ID: <20050330074734.A1414@att.net>
References: <1f6.69a5ced.2f7b938a@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Disposition: inline
User-Agent: Mutt/1.2.5.1i
In-Reply-To: <1f6.69a5ced.2f7b938a@aol.com>;
        from Santafearabians@aol.com on Wed, Mar 30, 2005 at 12:30:50AM
        -0500
X-BeenThere: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5
Precedence: list
Reply-To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
List-Id: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders.lists.ibiblio.org>
List-Unsubscribe: <http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/msar-riders>,
        <mailto:msar-riders-request@lists.ibiblio.org?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/arc/msar-riders>
List-Post: <mailto:msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
List-Help: <mailto:sympa@lists.ibiblio.org?subject=HELP>
List-Subscribe: <http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/msar-riders>,
        <mailto:msar-riders-request@lists.ibiblio.org?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 14:47:38 -0000

Hi Al,

Which county and state are you in?  To help you, it helps us
to know exactly where you are.

One mistake to watch out for is to add too much variety.  One
group cannot do everything well.  My own unit does parades,
traffic control, meet/greet/local color photo opportunities
at museum openings (on horseback! tourists love that), guided
trail rides for charitable benefit events, setting pivots for
rodeo grand entries, etc...all in the name of training for 
SAR.  We also participate in mock searches on horseback and
classroom trainings on foot.  SAR missions are our primary
purpose but not our primary activity.  With so much going on,
overcommittment, loss of focus, and burnout can be a problem
for any of us.  What tends to happen is some members do some
kinds of activities but not others.  One of us who turns out
for every SAR event was a rodeo queen in her youth and wants
nothing more to do with rodeos;  some of us turn out for all
rodeos but never for SAR missions.  I have not yet turned out
for museum openings.

One other common mistake I see is for mounted SAR units to
use non-SAR activities for recruiting.  Such as playdays or
picnic trail rides.  Fun stuff.  People join, thinking they
are joining a fun riding club.  Only later do they begin to
understand what SAR is all about.  That is not fair to your
new recruits!  It's bait-and-switch.

FEMA's Emergency Management Institute has a free self-study
course on working with volunteers, that you may find helpful.
Especially if your MSAR unit/team operates within context of
a Sheriff's Office.  EMI is on the web.  Also, check at your
local public library for books on managing non profit orgs.;
many of these touch on issues relevant to you.

Finally, the single most important thing is that your MSAR
unit gets called.  If you train hard but don't get missions,
then what are you training for?

        Una Smith
        Santa Fe County Sheriff's Posse, New Mexico