Why do assignments take so long?
tahoeturner said:
Rob,
I don't have the latest figures, but as of about two weeks ago, there were just under 1000 full registrations. I'm sure that number has climbed since then. Regarding the assignment of assistants, I'm guessing that won't happen until Thursday afternoon. See you in Portland.
Malcolm:
Thanks for your reply! I was just wondering what levels of 'seat competition' in the "popular" sessions we will be facing in Portland relative to that experienced in Louisville. Some of the rooms were so packed you couldn't even get a 1/16" parting tool in there edgewise!
MORE IMPORTANTLY:
For the Louisville meeting, it was very convenient to know well in advance of the Symposium for which demonstrators, and at what times, a volunteer would be assisting. Last year, we had this information at least a few weeks in advance so we could plan our "non-assisting" times. It is only fair to inform your volunteers of this basic information, at the very least, as a courtesy, so they can organize the "rest of their symposium life".
With the request for demo assistants taking place so long ago, a fixed number of demonstrators, and the schedule/rotation grid already completed, why will it take until Thursday before the Symposium organizers inform us of assignments for demo assistants? It doesn't make sense!
Further,
we have not yet been informed about any
demo assistant meeting, and if one is to be held,
where and
when this will be (i.e. on Thursday afternoon and/or early Friday morning).
Am I missing something, or has the AAW done a backslide on the organizational aspects of this part of the Symposium?? [If there was one, "I didn't get the memo!"] Coordination and informing the demo assistants is important to do
well in advance of the event. Last minute arrangements DO NOT work for any organizational structure or activity. It would be good to keep us in the loop!
Please pass this information request on to anyone who is capable of getting the information out for demo assistants - I am sure I'm not alone in wondering what I am expected to do, and how I can fulfill my offer to volunteer at the Symposium. To date, we have been "significantly uninformed"...
Thanks,
Rob Wallace