Check out the new USENIX Web site. next up previous
Next: Give credit Up: Running a volunteer community Previous: Build the structure

Delegate ownership

A benevolent dictator needs lieutenants who can be given significant responsibility and trusted to operate on their own. Jenn's goal was to turn over every major responsibility to a lieutenant. Once Jenn turned over a task to a volunteer, she didn't interfere, but she did continue to monitor. Jenn's role is to keep an eye out for burn-out, check for a match between skills and abilities, and make sure that volunteers have the authority and the tools they need to do their job. Sometimes it's hard to sit on your hands, but the payoff is a stronger sense of ownership and responsibility for the volunteers.



2004-05-08