Part-day marshalling question

[numbersix]

Advice please.
Is it allowed for a marshal to do a half-day (assuming he/she volunteered in advance as usual)?
Unfortunately due to important commitments I find myself stuck until about August because I just cannot do a full day. But I could marshal more often if I could go on post after, say, 1.00pm.
I've always assumed that if I can't sign-on in the morning then I wouldn't be insured, even if I signed-on at the post later in the day.
This might be an important general question re: lack of marshals - the notion that a half-day is better than none?

[M Greenslade]

I work all the hours God sends, to lunchtime - Balders

[MagnetON]

Check with the chief marshal, usually there's some way of getting your name on the sign-on sheet part way through the day. Most circuits would be glad of extra bodies, especially in the afternoon when it's usually races after morning qually.

[Stephen Green]

I agree with Grant, you should contact the Chief Marshal for all the clubs you would normally marshal for and explain the situation. Personally I would be glad of an extra pair of hands, even if they were only for half a day.

[numbersix]

Another thought is how would I know which post to go on?
It's normally organised in the morning during group sign-on.
I suppose the Chief Marshal would allocate one in advance?

[Bodysnatcher]

As someone whose professional commitments mean that I can be dragged away at a moments notice, I find that all chief marshals that I have dealings with are quite understanding if I have to leave the circuit during the course of the day.

Always inform the chief(s) at signing on so that you're not somewhere where your presence/absence is critical.

Late starts with no notice can also apply to me. I'm a bit more picky about those. Usually I would only show up if I was a maximum of 2 hours late. IF possible I would text/call somebody I know to pass a message on that I would be there later.

Alec Spooner and Pete Scillitoe, previous chiefs of the BRSCC were very,very good about this. I knew in advance where I could find them and they in turn appreciated my making the effort to help out.

However,I have to say that if large numbers of us took up jobshare things would get chaotic.

[KayBee]

Originally Posted by numbersix

Another thought is how would I know which post to go on?
It's normally organised in the morning during group sign-on.
I suppose the Chief Marshal would allocate one in advance?

I do know that at Oulton there are a few marshals who only do half a day and they sign on with the Chief Marshal at a mutually agreeable time and then go to their post.

[Upside Down Bug]

It is not unusual for marshals to do half days at Lydden, particularly when there is a sprint in the morning and race in the afternoon. Provided that the marshal is signed on, and allocated a post then I cannot see that any club in their right mind would turn a extra marshal away.

[Peter Harding]

No problem at all as long as we know in advance. Obviously, if everyone did it, we would be in trouble, but one or two is ok and better than them no coming at all.
As for allocation, I would tend not to pre-allocate you as I could use you to fill up any gaps caused by "no-shows".

[jim69]

We used to have a marshal who was a postman, he always came at lunch time. Normally the sign on sheets are in race control or with the secretary of the meeting. With modern technology, I am sure that the chief marshal can be contacted, and maybe one of the course cars would take you to your post.

[SteveR]

Not a problem if you are working with the ES Team at Donington. If you are doing the morning, just sign on as normal ( but remember to tell Ian / Di you have to leave early). If you are doing the afternoon, just sign on with us in Race Control.

[Upside Down Bug]

Just as an aside, we used to have a marshal who was a bus driver. On occasion he was seen to drive his scheduled bus into the circuit complete with passengers to have a quick look at the racing.

Back to the thread.......

Seems the important thing is signing on and ensuring everyone know what times you are doing!

[gravel_monkey]

mr ali g has sorted that for me last year when i got stuck in work untill 12. finished and straight down to oulton for the afternoon.

[thepits!]

Originally Posted by numbersix

Advice please.
Is it allowed for a marshal to do a half-day (assuming he/she volunteered in advance as usual)?
Unfortunately due to important commitments I find myself stuck until about August because I just cannot do a full day. But I could marshal more often if I could go on post after, say, 1.00pm.
I've always assumed that if I can't sign-on in the morning then I wouldn't be insured, even if I signed-on at the post later in the day.

As has been said, check with the Chief Marshal, or your individual Chief if you're a Specialist, I've never had a problem with 1/2days - in fact with some of "my" marshals that's what I expect (No names, no pack-drill! )

It's only a further step from the NEED(?) to do all of a 2 or 3 day meeting.

Originally Posted by numbersix

This might be an important general question re: lack of marshals - the notion that a half-day is better than none?

Oh so true.....

[sss]

Originally Posted by Upside Down Bug

Just as an aside, we used to have a marshal who was a bus driver. On occasion he was seen to drive his scheduled bus into the circuit complete with passengers to have a quick look at the racing.

I have done that at lydden when i was coach driving, dropped the passengers off at various destinations by the seaside for the day, drove to lydden and signed on, parked the coach by the ambulance gate at chessons so I could make a quick getaway when it was time to pick the punters up again later in the day.

[b1ackcr0w]

If I were a Chief Marshal, I'd take the view that anybody whos keen enough to marshal after a hard days work, should be welcomed with open arms and I'd find a way to accomodate them.