Some event organizers are voicing concern when it comes to attracting and maintaining a viable volunteer base.

With fewer volunteers, two event organizers, are hoping this story will make you pause and reflect.

Kailey Leonzio, representing Cochrane and Area Events Society, as well as, Stephenie Shelstad with Cochrane Light Up have both heard similar accounts of volunteers being treated poorly and verbally abused on site.

Already feeling the pinch when it comes to filling the positions, to begin with, both share worries that this will deter people from stepping up or offering their help again in the future.

Leonzio, says she was appalled to learn that some of the volunteers manning barricades at the Cochrane Labour Day Parade were yelled at and called offensive names. "We really can't run these events without the volunteers. We do our best and try to get the word out about the road closures around town. Even though the parade has been going on for over 50 years, we know some people don't know about it and get quite upset. I want to thank our volunteers because no one should have to put up with some of the stuff they had to."

Inappropriate name-calling and downright hurtful comments, bother both organizers a great deal. Leonzio, shares if it weren't for the help they provide, there would be no parade or other events. "Our volunteers are there helping us out for the community and to make sure everything runs smoothly. It is just incredibly unfortunate that people would treat them that way when they are just trying to better the community."

Leonzio says the committee will spend some time discussing how to ensure this doesn't become the 'new norm.' "We will have to look at investigating some different avenues. Whether that means we do more promotions or we have to staff certain barricades next year, so our volunteers don't have to put with this behaviour. This is where it becomes a huge challenge. People won't want to volunteer their time to make these community events go smoothly if the public is treating them so poorly. As an organizer, this makes me really sad."

Shelstad states she has heard very similar accounts from her volunteers. With both festivals requiring close to one hundred people willing to give their time freely, this type of behaviour is not okay. "I know last year, I was just about done with Light Up as I witnessed some of the volunteers being yelled at. It would be nice almost to host a special night where we can discuss just how to deal with the public when stuff like that happens. Maybe we could consider offering training on how to coach our volunteers to handle difficult situations. It rips on my heartstrings hugely when I see my volunteers being yelled at. It makes me question why I do this when the people I have asked to come down and help me are going to be screamed, yelled, or sworn at."

Even if you are not interested in the event or planning to attend, Shelstad hopes frustrated residents show more understanding. "Some people think of it as just being a huge inconvenience for them; they don't see the big picture. They only think of themselves at that moment."

With the size of the events and the crowd they draw in, both agree that safety must be a top priority.

While some people may say just hire help, it all comes with a cost, says Shelstad. "If you don't have enough people to have it properly manned, you can't have an event. Certain key people absolutely have to be there. I don't want to have to pay people to stand on a barricade when I could take that money and make an extra children's tent or serve more hot dogs. I want to take every bit of money from sponsors and grants to go right into the event."

Lastly, both say adding to their stress, is when people criticize the events from behind a computer screen but never step up to help.

If you would like to help out at events hosted by the Cochrane and Area Events Society or Cochrane Light Up, please email them at caes.cochraneevents@gmail.com or cochranelightup@gmail.com

A huge thanks to all Cochrane event organizers and committee members who volunteer their time for others enjoyment. It is, and should be, greatly appreciated.