A collection of common texts used in multiple places throughout the wiki

*** start Roster Preference Explanation

This table is designed to capture your (and others') roster allocation preferences. There are three things you may wish to change:

1. The column labelled Fixed Term indicates how many weeks notice you want for your roster allocations. Possible values are 4 through to 26 weeks inclusive. (Used only for rolling allocation.)

2. The column labelled Exclusion Period indicates how many weeks must pass before you are willing to be rostered again. Possible values are from 1 to 13 inclusive. (Used only for rolling allocation.)

3. The remaining columns indicate the times or duties you are willing to be rostered. Possible values are Yes and No. (Used for both rolling and Coordinator allocation.)

The "Fixed Term" is the number of weeks into the future when you will be rostered. Setting this to a small value, say 4, means that you can make your self "Unavailable" and so avoid allocation, for any date more than 4 weeks away. The tradeoff is that you only get 4 weeks notice of a duty. This suits people who have relatively unpredictable schedules. Setting "Fixed Term" to a large value, say 13, means that you get 13 weeks notice of a duty, but you can only make yourself "Unavailable" with 13 weeks notice, increasing the probability of needing to arrange a swap. This suits people who like to plan well ahead.

The Exclusion Period defines how frequently you are willing to be rostered. If you don't wish to be rostered more than twice a year, put 26 (weeks) as your exclusion period. If you are happy to be rostered once a month, put 4 (weeks). Note that you can go as low as 1 week, although it is unlikely that the program will ever roster you for successive weeks.

The purpose of the remaining columns should be clear. Simply enter a Yes or No in each column, according to whether you are willing to take duties in this time slot.

NOTE: Any changes you make to your preferences will not change allocations already made. If you change preferences to remove a time for which you are allocated, it remains your responsibility to arrange a swap.

You are welcome to edit this page yourself, or send your preferences to DavidMorgan or the ChurchOffice.

*** end Roster Preference Explanation

*** start Roster Reintroduction ***

For links to related pages, please see above.

The automated systems perform the following functions on this roster:

• Email reminders are sent each week for those volunteers with email addresses.
• Past weeks are moved to archives, so that next week always appears at the top.

Allocation to this roster is by volunteers or the coordinator

• This means that the RosterUnavailable page will only prevent allocation if the allocators look at it. (However, you are welcome to edit that page for future reference, and to help roster coordinators as they add new names.)

To understand more about the future plans for these rosters, please visit RosterNewSystems.

*** end Roster Reintroduction ***

*** start Roster Introduction ***

This roster is automatically maintained. You can read more about the recently revised process in RosterNewSystems, which also describes future plans for these rosters.

Please visit the RosterUnavailable page to record any weeks when you will be unavailable for the roster. Note that adding your name to that page will not remove you from existing allocations! If you are already rostered on a day when you cannot be present, please arrange a swap with someone, or if that proves difficult, inform the roster coordinator.

Automatic reminders will be issued the week before duties. Email alerts will be issued when and if automatic allocations are made, but not when allocations are made by the coordinator or by volunteers.

*** end Roster Introduction ***

*** start auto Roster Introduction ***

This roster is allocated week by week, known as "rolling allocation". See the links above for associated pages. Each volunteer in the preferences page is considered for allocation at their "Fixed Period" ahead, as indicated in the preferences page. Those who are available, do not have a clash and have more than the median interval since their last duty will be allocated if needed, and sent an email advising them of this. This allocation process respects the RosterUnavailable page, and attempts to avoid clashes with other rosters. If you are unable to do an allocated duty, you need to arrange a swap.

You can pre-empt the automatic allocation by allocating yourself to dates of your choice; simply enter your WikiName in any blank cell. Instructions here.

Automatic reminders will be issued by EMail during the week before a duty. These will obviously only be correct if swaps have been recorded here.

*** end auto Roster Introduction ***

*** start manual Roster Introduction ***

This roster is normally allocated by the convenor in blocks, ranging from a school term to a year in length. See links above for associated pages. Coordinators usually consult the preferences page for the roster and the RosterUnavailable page, but this cannot be guaranteed, and will only occur at the time of block allocation. If you are allocated for a duty that you are unable to perform, you will need to arrange a swap with another volunteer. Please notify the coordinator of swaps, and either enter them on this page, or ask ChurchOffice or DavidMorgan to do so for you. You can also allocate yourself to dates of your choice; simply enter your WikiName in any blank cell. Instructions here.

Automatic reminders will be issued by EMail during the week before a duty. These will obviously only be correct if swaps have been recorded here.

*** end manual Roster Introduction ***