I doubt that what I am about to write will make many folks happy but
it does express a viewpoint that I have not yet seen:
(As I am seen to mount a horse that magically is found to be named
"On My Soap Box".)
I have volunteered over the years at and for a number of things/organizations
both in the horse world and outside the horse world. Most if not all of my
experiences at organized horse events has been on the volunteer side of the
fence and not on what would be considered the paritcipant side of the fence.
With that as background, it is my very strong viewpoint that while the volunteer
may be unpaid, as soon as a participant pays an entry fee, the event is
professional in terms of the organization that is running the event is now
professional (the organization has accepted money). The method by which
the organization goes about fulfilling its responsibilities is the something
the organization is free to decide. If the organization wishes to use
volunteers, that is fine but in no way does that free the organization from
providing the service that it has received money to provide.
Personally, I try to keep that organizational responsibility in my mind when
I go to volunteer. It has become incumbent upon me to live up to this
standard. May not be the best way to always make friends and influece people
but there are times when it seems that some are values have become a little (?)
turned upside down.
(Why is it that I now find that the name of my horse has changed as I am about
to get off "My High Horse".
Someone might want to see based on the response to this post just how open
this list is or is not to a differing opinion. :-)
Enough/Too much for now
Joe jpu@kaiwan.com