H.O.P.E.

[ree]

After reading the Azimuth article Adam posted (and now seeing GeneseeMtn's picts), I was pretty disappointed in the driving portion of the endorsement at the Homecoming event. They were just running too many people through the course and all the other events to do a serious day out on the test track to work on some tough stuff.

[GeneseeMtn]

The intent of the trail endorsement is to get the driver comfortable with obstacles, steps, log crossings, ditches, water, etc... and safely using the winch. Some of these things might be encountered when assisting the Red Cross. More importantly than the driver being comfortable is knowing what to be uncomfortable with so we help instead of hinder the volunteer effort.

I think HOPE is a good volunteer program. It's nice if you want a little adventure & don't mind helping out now and again. If you do join the HOPE program, local red cross chapters will likely use the help more than the national Red Cross. I transported some "stuff and people" last Christmas for the local Red Cross in Denver. I got one call so far from the national Red Cross right after Katrina.

[ree]

Originally Posted by GeneseeMtn

The intent of the trail endorsement is to get the driver comfortable with obstacles, steps, log crossings, ditches, water, etc... and safely using the winch. Some of these things might be encountered when assisting the Red Cross. More importantly than the driver being comfortable is knowing what to be uncomfortable with so we help instead of hinder the volunteer effort.

This I understand. I know it's ultimately up to me to learn my capabilities and my limits so that I do not become a liability. It just seemed that the "go play around on the infield obstacles" approach was overly superficial. This was the homecoming, however, with a lot of people and not a local chapter gathering. So logistically, I guess this approach was all that was practical.

Originally Posted by GeneseeMtn

I transported some "stuff and people" last Christmas for the local Red Cross in Denver.

Was this due to snow and impassability of roads? Or were they just using you as one more vehicle than they normally have at their disposal?