View Full Version : to be DO or not to be
well quiet a few thoughts there chaps :)
i must be mad to even think about picking up the mantle ?
is there any GOOD reason for soing so ?:)
i like the power word though MUHAHAHAHAHA ;)
Adrian Kelland
11-11-2005, 07:54
well quiet a few thoughts there chaps :)
i must be mad to even think about picking up the mantle ?
is there any GOOD reason for soing so ?:)
i like the power word though MUHAHAHAHAHA ;)
Are there any other candidates, if so, do you think you would be better than them. If not don't stand, give them your support.
If no other candidate, then perhaps it becomes a duty to the club for a couple of years. Someone was DO for you.
Adrian
John Williams
11-11-2005, 10:51
well quiet a few thoughts there chaps :)
i must be mad to even think about picking up the mantle ?
is there any GOOD reason for soing so ?:)
i like the power word though MUHAHAHAHAHA ;)
Seriously - there is a really good challenge to be had in leading the diving and training functions within the branch.
It teaches you a lot about yourself and the way you do (and the way you should) deal with people.
When it works - the buzz is great!
When it don't - the buzz when it does is greater!
In fact being the DO will do for your understanding of the branch what doing the IFC did for your understanding of divers...and as I recall - you found the IFC to be particularly inspiring!
(must have been your IFC instructor!)
;-)
In the same way that becoming an instructor opens your eyes to some diving issues that you cannot appreciate as a diver - becoming DO opens your eyes to some marshalling/training/leadership issues that being a marshal/instructor/branch member cannot bring to your attention.
It will make you a better member to serve as DO for a term or two...and then you'll have some idea where you'd like to lead the branch...and be ready for Chair!
(that is assuming that your TO is then ready to take over the awesome power of the role of DO...and that you are sufficiently burnt out to relinquish it to him/her!)
HTH
John
Well, given that you are so unsure whether you want to do it, then I would suggest that you don't. It is a responsibility and you shouldn't go in unless (a) you are sure you want to and (b) confident that you can do it
Dave
John Williams
12-11-2005, 06:45
Well, given that you are so unsure whether you want to do it, then I would suggest that you don't. It is a responsibility and you shouldn't go in unless (a) you are sure you want to and (b) confident that you can do it
Dave
Oh dear!
just made a recommendation that no-one ever stands for Branch (or National DO) ever again there Dave!
I'd turn that around - if you are sure you want to do it ...you're not the right person!
If you are confident that you can get it right - for all of the people all of the time - PLEASE don't even think about it!
However - if you'd like a challenge, and an opportunity to take the branch forward , and you think that you have sufficient support from other senior members of the branch to help you make a go of it ...then maybe, just maybe, you should ask the branch members what they think - and stand for the position.
You'll find - EVERY TIME - that the guy Dave describes will also stand - and because they think that they always know better than everyone else - they will not have the support and will not get elected, and will then be digruntled and become one of the thorns in your side that Andy mentioned - but since you have the support, and were elected as the person others felt most likely to do a good job then they will have to "play the game".
DO is as much about diplomacy and compromise (within the limits of SDPs) as it is about POWER!
You'll not have a happy branch, nor will you make friends, get re-elected, or be invited on diving trips (or even told about them) if you actually weild the power of the DO without very clear reasons and objectives. It is NOT an easy balance to strike...but if you have support within the branch - people will remember that you are only human and listen to your reasons and respect you for taking on what everyone knows is a difficult (and immensely rewarding) job!
The other aspect is that, even when you go on someone else's trip - you will always be the DO. You are always the shining example of how to do things to the newbies (and the newbie instructors) ....so you must ALWAYS get it right (but then all good instructors do that all the time anyway - right?)
No DO should intentionally step outside his/her own rules - doing so just invites others to do the same and undermines all the respect and authority that the DO should seek to command.
John
:=Well, given that you are so unsure whether you want to do it, then I would suggest that you don't. It is a responsibility and you shouldn't go in unless (a) you are sure you want to and (b) confident that you can do it
:=
:=Dave
Oh dear!
just made a recommendation that no-one ever stands for Branch (or National DO) ever again there Dave!
I'd turn that around - if you are sure you want to do it ...you're not the right person!
If you are confident that you can get it right - for all of the people all of the time - PLEASE don't even think about it!
However - if you'd like a challenge, and an opportunity to take the branch forward , and you think that you have sufficient support from other senior members of the branch to help you make a go of it ...then maybe, just maybe, you should ask the branch members what they think - and stand for the position.
You'll find - EVERY TIME - that the guy Dave describes will also stand - and because they think that they always know better than everyone else - they will not have the support and will not get elected, and will then be digruntled and become one of the thorns in your side that Andy mentioned - but since you have the support, and were elected as the person others felt most likely to do a good job then they will have to "play the game".
DO is as much about diplomacy and compromise (within the limits of SDPs) as it is about POWER!
You'll not have a happy branch, nor will you make friends, get re-elected, or be invited on diving trips (or even told about them) if you actually weild the power of the DO without very clear reasons and objectives. It is NOT an easy balance to strike...but if you have support within the branch - people will remember that you are only human and listen to your reasons and respect you for taking on what everyone knows is a difficult (and immensely rewarding) job!
The other aspect is that, even when you go on someone else's trip - you will always be the DO. You are always the shining example of how to do things to the newbies (and the newbie instructors) ....so you must ALWAYS get it right (but then all good instructors do that all the time anyway - right?)
No DO should intentionally step outside his/her own rules - doing so just invites others to do the same and undermines all the respect and authority that the DO should seek to command.
John
Each to their own opinion. If a person is so unsure about whether they should do it, then I wouldn't put them in to it and the OP seemed particularly concerned about it
I never said that the person be confident that they will make all the right decisions, but thanks for putting words into my mouth... e.g. they have to be confident that they have the time available to fufil the role, confident in their understanding of what the role entails , confident that they feel they have the diplomacy skills that might be required etc.
Given that the OP has obvious concerns , I would be suggesting that they not look to take on the role at this tim but try n get a better understanding of what it requires in the branch in which he is a member and then reconsider at a later time
Dave
Andy Wade
12-11-2005, 10:21
Each to their own opinion. If a person is so unsure about whether they should do it, then I wouldn't put them in to it and the OP seemed particularly concerned about it
I never said that the person be confident that they will make all the right decisions, but thanks for putting words into my mouth... e.g. they have to be confident that they have the time available to fufil the role, confident in their understanding of what the role entails , confident that they feel they have the diplomacy skills that might be required etc.
Given that the OP has obvious concerns , I would be suggesting that they not look to take on the role at this tim but try n get a better understanding of what it requires in the branch in which he is a member and then reconsider at a later time
I've just read the first two posts in these adjoining thread about becoming DO, and whilst I thought that Paul was concerned enough to post, I didn't read that he was overly worried about taking on the job, with the benefit of a little advice from other DO's.
That said, you're right. Any position such as DO shouldn't be taken lightly, but the fact that he's asking indicates to me at least that he's considering it seriously and wants to succeed. Which is good IMO.
It's a bit like stage fright, as someone once said (I think it was Michael Caine), if don't have stage fright, then you'll probably perform badly, in which case you should have stage fright.
Are there any other candidates, if so, do you think you would be better than them. If not don't stand, give them your support.
If no other candidate, then perhaps it becomes a duty to the club for a couple of years. Someone was DO for you.
Or alternatively:
Being the DO is a great way to learn. They do not have be the 'most suitably qualified person' just a suitable person.
The branch is there to support its DO. I (along with many of my friends) were DO as a newly qualified advanced diver. The more experienced members (and Ex DO's) were always there to offer support and advice.
I think that clubs (and the DO) gets very little from having the most experienced members as DO, long time experienced members are more enthusiatic to help if they do not have the DO burden (unless they are control freaks)
Being DO is not rocket science, its about being part of a team and getting advice when you do not know the answer (none of us know all the answers)
Tony
ps the same applies to other committee posts, we can use a club environment to teach members how to become competent at their posts.
id just like to thank everyone for their thoughts and replies...
Let me just say that i am SERIOUSLY thinking of taking up the offer to become DO..ive been one of the busiest instructors in the branch for some years now and was TO for 4yrs so i think i know what makes the branch tick :)
Ive always asked around for advise and different perspectives on thinks before i "jump" particularly with something as important as branch DO.
i do think i have something to offer the role...and im sure i will become a better diving diplomat after a go at the role.
Thanks John for your comments and thanks for "looking after me :)" on the ifc all those yrs ago !! hehehe looking at the grey hairs now.
i do agree that if you know u can do a job then you have missed something,,,,life will always through something at you and i htink you have to be flexible enough to bend and not brake within set down guidelines :)
listens to more comments :)
listens to more comments :)
Can you think of someone that can do the job better than you?
No, then don't do it.
Can you manage a whole year without saying 'No'
No, then don't do it.
Can you spot the difference between saving your own backside in court and encouraging branch members to dive safely?
No, then don't do it.
Can you put up with people only ever talking to you when they have a problem?
No, then don't do it.
Can you delegate and thank someone even when they cock up?
No, then don't do it.
Do you think that a DOs main job is to enable branch members to go diving?
Yes, then do it.
Will members do what you say because they want to?
Yes, then do it.
All IMHO obviously
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