B2-26 / CEFR B2 / EPISODE 26

Volunteer Coordination

Setting limits on responsibilities when staffing is short

SceneAt the community center, the volunteer coordinator is going over Saturday's volunteer schedule with Frank and Tina. Three columns: check-in, children's crafts, cleanup. Not many names yet.

The friends planning a community event with a coordinator. — Select the illustration to view it at full size in a new tab.

Narrator

At the community center, the volunteer coordinator is going over Saturday's volunteer schedule with Frank and Tina. Three columns: check-in, children's crafts, cleanup. Not many names yet.

地域センターで、ボランティアのコーディネーターが、フランクとティナと一緒に土曜の担当表を確認している。欄は三つ——受付、子どもの工作、片付け。名前はまだ少ない。

Coordinator01

We're short of people. If we'd started recruiting earlier, this chart wouldn't look so empty.

人手が足りないの。もっと早く募集を始めていたら、この表もこんなにスカスカじゃなかったわね。

Frank02

Who's on it so far?

今のところ、誰が入っていますか？

Coordinator03

Tina on check-in, two volunteers penciled in for crafts, staff on cleanup. Tina, could you watch the crafts too? The tables are right beside check-in.

受付はティナ、工作はボランティア二人を仮で入れていて、片付けは職員。ティナ、工作も見てくれない？工作台は受付のすぐ隣だし。

Tina04

I can't check people in and watch children using scissors at the same time, even if the tables are nearby.

工作台が近くても、受付をしながらハサミを使う子どもたちを見守るのは無理よ。

Coordinator05

Fair point. Check-in only, then.

もっともね。じゃあ、受付だけで。

Tina06

Thanks. One job at a time — it's safer for everyone.

ありがとう。一度に受け持つ仕事は一つ。そのほうがみんなにとって安全よ。

Frank07

Have both craft volunteers confirmed?

工作担当のお二人は、参加すると返事をくれていますか？

Coordinator08

Not yet. I'll call them today.

まだなの。今日、電話で確認するわ。

Frank09

And if one of them can't make it?

一人が来られなかった場合は？

Coordinator10

Then we'll use one table instead of two. Fewer kids at a time, but it's manageable.

そうしたら、工作台を二つから一つに減らすわ。一度に見られる子どもは減るけど、なんとかなる。

Frank11

If neither comes, I'll run one craft table. I've made paper rockets with my students.

お二人とも来られなければ、工作台を一つにして、私が担当します。学生たちと紙ロケットを作ったことがありますから。

Coordinator12

Perfect. I'll put you down as backup — for crafts, and maybe cleanup, and...

完璧。欠員時の担当として書いておくわ——工作と、それから片付けも、あと……

Frank13

Crafts only, please. Writing my name in all three columns won't give you three volunteers.

工作だけでお願いします。三つの欄全部に私の名前を書いても、ボランティアが三人になるわけではありませんから。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“two volunteers penciled in for crafts”

Pencil someone in means to provisionally schedule them, with the possibility of change—pencil marks can be erased. A final arrangement is confirmed. The coordinator has tentatively assigned two people to crafts. Have both craft volunteers confirmed? in line 7 checks whether those assignments are definite.

Browse all 60 B2 episodes

STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Words & context

“two volunteers penciled in for crafts”