So much depends upon the can-opener, glazed in water, in the kitchen

After a long flight, and multiple longer bus rides I made it to Bocas del Toro a little over a week ago.

Since then I've been getting settled in and learning more about the Floating Doctors organization.  It has already been a busy week and I can see that things are only going to get busier.  This group is incredible and very generous.  I can see why in only 3 years they have been able to build so much success.

This organization largely runs on volunteers which is unique and new to me.  My first thoughts on this are that (1) everyone working here is as excited and motivated as I am, (2) everyone here has a big heart and has gone out of there way to be here and make a contribution, (3) the burn out rate is non-existent since everyone is transitory for the most part, and (4) no one knows where to find a can-opener.  

Why is the location of the can-opener important you ask?  There are 8 volunteers on the boat right now and I'd hedge my bets that there are only 3 people who know where it is.  From a management standpoint, if you have volunteers coming in and out of the boat (sometimes in as little as a week) then organizing and following procedures becomes a daunting task.  

This is one of my great tasks - how can we make procedures and organization so obvious that someone fresh off of the street will easily jump in and know how to help?  Also, how we encourage everyone to follow protocol and practices because- yes, that data point is important to collect and yes, returning that bottle back to the shelf where you got it is important.  These details which are not immediate gratification are difficult to instill in people especially when they will not be the ones to gratify from the extra work.  

On another note.  Here is my photo of the day.  It is the "Southern Wind" the boat I'm currently writing from.  I snapped this photo on the way to Red Frog, an amazing nearby beach.