[SJAAboard] What does running the loaner program entail?

[Rob Hawley (SJAA)]

Looking at my flowchart convinces me that a Library model that pulls the scope
back at the end of a loan could be more work than what we currently do.  The key
point is where the scopes are stored between loans.

I only have space for limited, short-term storage.  I have been able to use my
garage to match the different schedules of a previous and next loanee.  That
also gives me an opportunity to document and repair the scopes.

If our normal process is to recall the scopes after 3 months then they will need
an external home.  If we had a storage area (paid or not) which I could access
then I could deliver and pick up the scopes from there.

Unfortunately, the current situation is that volunteers (a synonym for board
members) store the scopes. Dealing with the volunteer is almost the same as
dealing with a new loanee. Thus except for scopes that are wait listed I will
have to run through my lending flow chart twice (once on return, and once on
loan). 

The only exception to this is Lee since I can transfer the scopes at his office.
That makes Lee the "storage area" in the previous paragraph.  

If we were to rely on volunteers (effectively the board) exclusively for long
term storage that now makes the storage footprint important as I related in
previous emails.




We could still decide to pursue this approach as a better policy.  We should not
do so under the belief it will make the program easier to administer.


Rob Hawley