So I noticed a shift in the energy here today. I get it now. They would absolutely take advantage of that gate given any deviations.

From: Robert Samuel White <rsw@rswfire.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 10:00:01 PM
To: [Volunteer Services Lead]
Subject: Re: Gate  

So the gate was closed tonight when I went out there at 2158 and no one in sight. They must think they need to close it on my days off...

From: [Volunteer Services Lead]
Sent: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 2:15:30 PM
To: Robert Samuel White <rsw@rswfire.com>
Subject: RE: Gate  

Hi Sam,

That’s all right, thank you for getting back to me about December. 

As far as other parks, sometimes it takes them a little while to respond as the volunteer coordinators usually have other duties than just their role as the Volunteer Services Lead.  I generally try to respond to everyone who inquires about positions, whether to set up interviews or to let them know the position has been filled, but not everyone may follow that practice.  I definitely have had instances where I did not respond to a volunteer inquiry for over a week however, due to being caught up in major park maintenance or enforcement related duties.

[Volunteer Services Lead] | Volunteer Services Lead/Ranger 1
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
84505 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
[phone] Office
[phone] Cell
[phone] Fax
https://stateparks.oregon.gov

From: Robert Samuel White <rsw@rswfire.com> 
Sent: Monday, February 3, 2025 10:14 PM
To: [Volunteer Services Lead]
Subject: Re: Gate

Hi, [Volunteer Services Lead].

So I've thought about this, and December doesn't really align with my intentions.

I'll be in the area for September and I was willing to extend that an extra month to come back here, but I'm eager to explore more of the coast, and accepting a December assignment would require me to stay in the area for many months longer than I intended.

What I really want is to experience Cape Lookout, Fort Stevens, and Beverly Beach. I applied to the positions those parks posted, but no one responded to me, which is what led me to accept the September posting with [Tugman Volunteer Services Lead] and exploring any further potential here.

I'm also really interested in Oregon State Forests division - the forest in Tillamook. But I've yet to do my research on this so I haven't reached out to them. And someday maybe the coast will call less to me and I'll be ready to explore what else Oregon has to teach me.

I have time. Years, really, to experience all the things I want to. And I am patient - I understand getting myself in the door at some of these parks may require a longer record of service.

I appreciate you noting the month was available. As noted previously, I hope to come back February to April to experience another dune season here. I will wait to hear form you on that.

Thanks for being such an awesome and understanding boss. I really enjoy working with you and hope for continued engagement in the years to come - especially during dune season!

Sam

From: Robert Samuel White <rsw@rswfire.com>
Sent: Monday, February 3, 2025 12:04:31 PM
To: [Volunteer Services Lead]
Subject: Re: Gate 

Hi, [Volunteer Services Lead]. Thanks for the updates. I would do December if I'm still in the area. Before I commit, let me find out what I'll be doing for October and November first. I'll check back with you and see if the position is still open when I know more.

As far as my days off - 7am and 10pm are both times when I'm going to be home. The odds of me not be here during those times is practically nil. I mean, I guess if I end up dating someone and staying at their house? Whatever. I'm trying to be useful - I understand if you want someone else to do it. Offer remains open however.

From: [Volunteer Services Lead]
Sent: Monday, February 3, 2025 11:58:45 AM
To: Robert Samuel White <rsw@rswfire.com>
Subject: RE: Gate 

Hi Sam,

We will go over the gate coverage this month at the orientation today.  I would be fine with having you opening and closing the gates, but I would still like to find someone to cover your days off so that we have the coverage on Wednesdays and Thursdays just in case you needed to leave for your days off and to give you a break on your days off as well.  

I haven’t officially started the 2026 schedule yet, but I have you noted as interested in February, March & April in my calendar.  As we get further along into February and March, I would be able to officially put you on the schedule for 2026 but cannot make any promises yet as we are just getting started.   

As for the October position, I have filled it as of this morning.  The only month left that I would have open will be December of 2025, also at the welcome center.

[Volunteer Services Lead] | Volunteer Services Lead/Ranger 1
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
84505 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
[phone] Office
[phone] Cell
[phone] Fax
https://stateparks.oregon.gov

From: Robert Samuel White <rsw@rswfire.com> 
Sent: Monday, February 3, 2025 9:46 AM
To: [Volunteer Services Lead]
Subject: Re: Gate

Good morning, [Volunteer Services Lead].

I appreciate the adaptation.

Would you like me to take on the gate duties as specified? I am happy to do it - this was not a ploy on my part. It feels like a natural part of my rhythm here.

I assume you're still evaluating me (this is fine) and maybe I'll hear about October before you've filled it? I would sincerely like to come back then.

Regarding next year, I ask that you consider me for this spot and this position from February through April. I'd like to be here through the end of the dune season if you're amenable. (Again, understand you are still evaluating me. Also understand if you have others for those months and would need to put me in different roles, I believe I'm open to that.)

Regarding my current job - first day, I forgot to write anything on the envelope. Second day, I did but I couldn't find anything in the binder telling me what to write there. I don't think I overlooked it but perhaps I did. I looked pretty hard though.

Definitely feeling the position out and developing a rhythm for it. See you at orientation. 

Sam

From: [Volunteer Services Lead]
Sent: Monday, February 3, 2025 8:59:53 AM
To: Robert Samuel White <rsw@rswfire.com>
Subject: RE: Gate 

Hi Sam,

I probably won’t be able to switch the positions around, but I can see if my new incoming hosts are open to changing sites as they will only be here for 1 month.  I will give them a call tomorrow about it and see if they are open to swapping sites.

[Volunteer Services Lead] | Volunteer Services Lead/Ranger 1
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
84505 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
[phone] Office
[phone] Cell
[phone] Fax
https://stateparks.oregon.gov

From: Robert Samuel White <rsw@rswfire.com> 
Sent: Saturday, February 1, 2025 10:00 PM
To: [Volunteer Services Lead]
Subject: Gate

Ranger [Volunteer Services Lead], 

I just want to offer to open and close the gate for you through February (March as well if I can keep my site). I just watched someone cut across the landscape with a powerful flashlight to come and close it. It's right across from me - I'm happy to do it. Even on my days off. If I'm not around for some reason, I could let the ranger on duty know. Your call.

Gatekeeper Sam