Here is something you don’t really think about when you start a project you are excited about and are organizing it with little or no money to hire a staff of full-time professionals.  You spend a lot of time recruiting team members and generating interest in your project sourced in the realm of the “Volunteer.”  You build up a team and then find it hard to keep them all “pumped up,” on the project forums and staying plugged in.

Now a lot of this comes from several things such as “no present income,” “no vested interest, ” “no vision for what could be,” and “real life needs and issues” take a precedent.  Well, I know every project will have its challenges and ups and downs.  We are no exception in this area but it can be a little discouraging.  This is especially true when you are trying to do your best to keep the project organized as best as you can within the time that you have yourself (remember, real life?).  You are dealing with different personalities at different corners of the globe and it becomes a time-management and people-management quagmire that pulls you down until you feel stuck.  You take on the role of not only project manager, extended visionary, communicator and ambassador for what really comes down to the most–your dream, not theirs.

When money and real incentives are not there to give (although I did manage to get a few ZBrush licenses as a reward to those on the team that are putting in time and effort.   It was the least I could do and the best at that) it is hard to keep people motivated.  I am sure the “What’s in it for me” mindset kicks in.  I would say though in most if not all cases, real life is the key factor.

I have worked with a lot of non-profit organizations over the years that depend on volunteer support.  I remember the horror stories and fits of depression by management personnel I would hear about.  So, how can I expect this project to be any different?  Well, I can only hope it is because we are working toward an end-goal that has to do with real money.  It is just unfortunate for most,  that it’s not real money right now.