Role and Responsibility of the Boss

The Boss "owns" the Gather. The Boss is ultimately responsible for all aspects of the Gather. If anything goes wrong, the Boss takes the blame and fixes the problem. For everything that goes right, the Boss gets the credit.

Because of the large responsibility involved, the Boss is given great authority. He or she is the nearly-absolute despot of the Gather, accountable only to the attendees and to the Board. The Board is pretty flexible, but the Finance Minister must have her books balanced - so the primary accoutability of the Boss is to the Finance Minister.

Aside from the responsibility to the corporation through a respectful and cooperative working relationship with the Finance Minister, the Boss is free to change or set any rules or procedures he or she wants for the Gather. The rest of the information on these pages should be considered suggestions, best practices, and so on - not limitations on the Boss!

It is a terrifying and gratifying experience to be the Boss. You should mentally prepare yourself to handle the entire event and all surrounding activities completely by yourself. Do not assume that anyone will check up on how you are getting along, or help you make sure you've got everything covered. As Boss, you are responsible for it all.

But don't panic! You can have all the help you want - and sometimes more. The Finest Tradition of the Gather is volunteering. The Board, former Bosses, and nearly everyone attending will be more than happy to help out - or to stay out of your way, if that's what you want. Just remember that you have to make your preferences and needs known. Ask for help when you want it - don't assume that somebody else is taking care.

At the same time, expect that people will do things to "help" that may be contrary to your plans and organization. Other people will complain, kibitz, and interfere - we're all human. Take it in stride, remind the obnoxious of the Finest Tradition of Volunteering, or take whatever other steps seem necessary. Assert your authority as needed.

A big part of the Boss's job is communication. The GPNDG mailing list is the primary channel, but frequent notices and summaries should be posted to the WetLeather list to remind folks, as they often forget to subscribe to GPNDG.

Some Duties of the Boss

• Pick the site or facility
• Set the date
• Reserve the site or facility
• Recuit other volunteers as needed
• Working with the Finance Minister, establish and communicate pricing, budget and registration.
• Establish and communicate schedule, entertainment, options, rules
• Advertise and promote the event
• Communicate and interface with facility officials
• Attend to the health and welfare of all Gatherees
• Ensure the availability of basic first-aid supplies
• Serve as point of first contact in all emergency situations
• Know and publish the location and number of the closest emergency service of all types.
• Establish a reliable process for communicating with the outside world from sites with poor or nonexistent cellular coverge.
• Convey a favorable image of GPNDG to attendees and observers
• Make sure all attendees are safely started on the way home from the event
• Provide a wrap-up report for posterity
• Make sure that all needed tasks get accomplished

Note that last item. Any of the tasks may, at the Boss's discretion, be delegated to sub-bosses. New tasks may be added by the Boss, either for himself/herself or delegated to added volunteers.