Musings on a Theme: Volunteerism

Thursday, May 19, 2016

In my position as Organized Play Coordinator, I work with many of Paizo's volunteers. A large number of them are in the Pathfinder Society, serving as venture officers and event organizers. They spend hours of their free time planning games, teaching new players, and finding GMs. Others aren't in Pathfinder Society, but help out in other ways—attending shows and demoing Paizo's products to business partners and fans alike, spending hours compiling prep tools for games and sharing with other GMs, being a beacon of support on our messageboards. All of these volunteers strengthen our community, and without them our jobs would be much harder.

In acknowledgement of volunteer efforts, Paizo developed two different methods of recognition. As a thank you for exceptional volunteerism within the Pathfinder Society, we previously established the Campaign Service Coin. In addition, Paizo takes the opportunity at PaizoCon to name one or more people as Volunteers of the Year.

Campaign Service Coin

Tradition held that a Venture-Officer received a coin near their three-year anniversary, as this represented more than 1,000 days of service. A few volunteers that were not Venture-Officers earned coins, usually for outstanding service at Gen Con and PaizoCon. Fifty-four Pathfinder Society Volunteers have received coins since the program's inception.

One question I've had over the past few months is "When will I get my coin?" This question led me to examine my interpretation of the Coin's meaning. I don't feel it is a check box achievement. It should not be a reward you receive automatically when you hit a date. Nor should you not get one because you haven't reached the date yet. I think putting a number to the award lessens the impact of receiving it. Instead, I see three years as a flag. In most situations, a volunteer working three years is well known in their community and anyone asked provides me with numerous examples of the volunteers' commitment to the campaign. But some of our most deserving volunteers are not members of the Venture-Officer team and thus their efforts fall under the radar for recognition.

So I turn to members of the Pathfinder Society for help. I request that you send me your recipient recommendations for the Campaign Service Coin award. Nominate the local GM who is dedicated to the game, running every week for years. Tell me about the event organizer that is on site before the room opens, leaves after it is closed, and fields issues like a pro. I want to hear about the player who constantly takes time to introduce new players to the game. These people may be part of the Venture-Officer team, but they may be individuals that are helping out just to make our Society better.

Volunteer of the Year

While many recipients of the Volunteer of the Year award are members of the Pathfinder Society organized play campaign, it is neither a requirement nor an expectation that they should be. The largest difference is that the Campaign Service Coin acknowledges service to the Society while the Volunteer of the Year looks to the community as a whole. Past recipients include:

  • 2008: Tim Nightengale
  • 2009: Liz Courts
  • 2010: Mark Moreland
  • 2011: Doug Miles
  • 2012: Kyle Elliott
  • 2013: Dave Harrison & Rob Silk
  • 2014: Ryan Costello & Jefferson Jay Thacker

Names often don't convey the weight of the contributions to Paizo as a whole. Tim Nightengale has been a long-time member of the community, organizing the first unofficial PaizoCon and continuing to be an ambassador to newcomers to the convention. Liz Courts established Wayfinder, the fan-run Pathfinder fanzine that continues publication today under the editorial direction of Tim Nightengale. Mark Moreland established PathfinderWiki, the repository of knowledge for all things Pathfinder. Doug Miles is one of Pathfinder Society's super GMs, having reported over 500 sessions, and was the first five-star GM. Kyle Elliott was a driving force behind Pathfinder Society and helped out at many conventions. Dave Harrison and Rob Silk established Pathfinder Society in England and co-organized PaizoCon UK, one of two Paizo sanctioned conventions outside the US. Ryan Costello and Jefferson Jay Thacker operate Know Direction, the podcast for all things Pathfinder.

Each of these recipients has contributed significantly to Paizo's community, spreading the word of Pathfinder far and wide and embodying the best that our community has to offer. Without their efforts and support, our group would be less rich, less vibrant, less a community. To them, I raise a toast and a cheer, for demonstrating what we can do when we give of ourselves.

In just over a week, we will migrate from the Paizo offices and head to the Doubletree for PaizoCon: the perfect venue to meet our players and spend time with members of the community. At Saturday's banquet, we get the opportunity to announce the newest Volunteer of the Year. I, for one, can't wait to see who is added to this distinguished list. If you are unable to join us at the banquet, follow our social media on Facebook and Twitter as we bring you highlights from the show!

To all those members of our community that help out—from carrying things at events to maintaining player databases to organizing conventions to teaching new players and GMs—thank you. From the bottom of my heart, my teammates and I thank you for your hours spent furthering our hobby.

See you at PaizoCon!

Tonya Woldridge
Organized Play Coordinator

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Grand Lodge

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Pathfinder PF Special Edition Subscriber

I raise my virtual glass to all of the volunteers, without whom we would not have such a strong community.

Huzzah!

*Hic*

Scarab Sages

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Let me be among the many to comment on this blog and say thank you to you, John, and Linda for everything you do in our global community. In addition, a thank you goes out to all of my fellow Venture-Officers and event coordinators for all you do for your local communities!

After going to my first Paizocon in 2012 and seeing all that was going on and all who put the great event together and I wanted to join in on the efforts in order to give back to more than just my local community. September 2013, I was given the honor of becoming a Venture-Lieutenant for the local Spokane Community. November of 2015, was when I was given the ability to step things up even higher with the promotion to Venture-Captain. Both of these were goals I wanted to and succeeded in accomplishing. If these positions weren't available, would I still do what I am doing now and spreading PFS in the area. I would have to respond with a resounding yes.

While the Campaign Service Coin in another goal of mine but I do not want it unless I deserve the privilege. I agree that is should be more than just a check box during a Pathfinder journey.

Thank you.

Silver Crusade RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8

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A list of campaign service award recipients.

Shadow Lodge

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GreySector wrote:
A list of campaign service award recipients.

Why are you not on the list, Eshleman? I would like to nominate you for a campaign service award. You have travelled 1/2 the state over and over to support PFS in Western NC at every public event we have had in the past couple years. Players turn to you for rule advice regularly, and you run a mean game of Pathfinder... Not to mention, you've just clocked over 450 games as a GM.

Silver Crusade RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8

Thanks for your kind words Michael, they mean a lot to me!

Horizon Hunters

mogmismo wrote:
GreySector wrote:
A list of campaign service award recipients.
Why are you not on the list, Eshleman? I would like to nominate you for a campaign service award. You have travelled 1/2 the state over and over to support PFS in Western NC at every public event we have had in the past couple years. Players turn to you for rule advice regularly, and you run a mean game of Pathfinder... Not to mention, you've just clocked over 450 games as a GM.

I will more than second this. Michael has been of immeasurable help to me, especially during my first time organizing Scottys for Pre Gen Con gaming. He's provided me with important background information and some good advice. As a newer VC, I benefitted from his help greatly (and he isn't even anywhere near my region!)

Silver Crusade RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8

Thanks Mark! I'm incredibly vain, so if anybody else wants to chime in I won't stop them. ;)

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