Results from the voluntary survey
Kongsberg Jazz Festival's officials put a lot of effort and time into creating the festival. Where reward in the form of money is absent, creating something that gives meaning to the individual becomes even more important. Good management is a prerequisite for making this happen.
This year's volunteer survey has been commissioned by the festival's volunteer group leaders. The group leaders wanted feedback from the festival's clerks on the following: Why do the clerks choose to become clerks, and what will it take for them to come again? How do they experience the festival and how do they experience the management, both the secretariat and the volunteer leaders doing their job? What is good and where can we improve for next year's festival?
One knows, with a background in research, something about what makes sense for the individual. It is, for example, about socializing and helping the festival as a festival.
You also know something about what kind of management is needed: Democratic management style leads to higher work effort and people coming back. Giving praise for a job well done, involving the volunteers in important decisions and listening to suggestions for improvement are central to this.
Our survey confirms this. It turns out, for example, that for some the social is actually more important than the jazz. "I come year after year because of the people and my group. I don't even like jazz".
The questions
All registered civil servants from this year were sent the survey. 280 responses were received.
The questions we used are taken from a master's thesis from BI (2011, Leif Erling Øverbø Lie/supervisor: Beate Elstad) which deals with the management of volunteers at the Øya Festival.
What did we find?
The overall impression is that Kongsberg Jazzfestival's officials are satisfied. They are satisfied with the festival as a festival, with how the festival was managed, how the group functioned and what it has been like to be an official at the festival.
However, there is room for improvement
Communication between the festival management, the volunteer leaders and the officials could be improved. This applies to the dissemination of plans, decisions, and both short-term and long-term changes. Here, the officials give many good and concrete proposals to be worked on further.
The individual's ability to lead effectively can also improve. In general, the feedback shows that the volunteer leaders maintain a high level in terms of their leadership skills. The survey nevertheless provides various tips and advice for the individual manager.
These results will be worked on until the next festival.
In the near future, the individual managers will be invited to a conversation about the results for their group. One should calmly and calmly consider and think through the advice one has received. Later, the festival will invite all volunteer leaders to a meeting where they will look at what they have learned together and should do as group leaders to make the festival an even better festival, for the public, officials and leaders.
Consultant for the civil service survey and leadership development of the festival's group leaders is Lars Graaner.
All photos: Thomas Hegna
