If you visit the office, please close the door behind you as you leave...

Posted by samhutton - 20 March 2009 at 2:02pm - 4 Comments
Sam takes today's baton in our spring blog relay - catch up on entries from other Greenpeace staff.

Sam says

Hi, I'm Sam, and I'm probably the person in Greenpeace UK who speaks to most people in any given day, as the office's only receptionist.

Not only do I deal with all of the staff in the office, but I am also usually the one who answers all the phone calls that come in via the switchboard. Chances are, if you've ever heard "Good morning/afternoon, Greenpeace," it was me. Having been here for over nine years now, I can only imagine how many times I have answered the phone.

I'm also first point of call for things that go wrong. And it's amazing how often faxes, photocopiers and things do go wrong (always when they are needed urgently). And if milk or coffee runs out upstairs there can almost be riots!

Although in many ways the receptionist is not a glamorous high profile role, it's one that keeps the organisation going. It's one of the most visible roles as I am sitting on reception all day, but probably one of the ones that is often overlooked (as I'm not usually on TV or climbing a building with a big banner).

On the other hand I think Greenpeace is a great place to work - especially when our campaigners go out on actions (they are so brave!). I love it; sometimes I wish I was hanging off a chimney or chaining myself to a tree… Aaah, one day!

Sam reminding Esso that climate change denial is not cool

Having said that, I have been on three actions, one where I was the camera woman doing a Stop Esso action in Le Havre in France – it was tiring but great.

The second time I had to stand outside Defra leafleting and guess what? I leafleted Mr Gordon Brown – wow!

On the third occasion, I was sent to Belgium all by myself (lonely and scared but feeling very daring!) and I was dressed up in a missile costume for our peace campaign, running across a muddy field with the police chasing after us – it was great and I will do it again!

One more thing that amazes me about Greenpeace is our funding. None of it comes from companies or government, just from supporters' donations – but there is a hell of a lot of support out there! Brilliant! Thank you all, you are truly amazing.

What else do I do? Well, I sort out the post – incoming and outgoing, maintain signing in sheets; I'm in charge of room bookings, arranging couriers, and fire safety for the building. I'm usually the first point of contact for visitors, making sure everyone is signed in, and we know who's in the building. I'm also the one who has to chase up people in the office to sort out deliveries that arrive at the front desk… which campaigners always seem to arrange for times when they are not around.

There is one big downside to my job however - the draught from the front door in winter. As one of the few members of staff whose job necessitates them being in one place for long periods of time, it affects me worst. So, if you visit the office, please remember to close the door behind you as you leave. Thanks!

Article tagged as: blog relay, stop esso
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I have just read your stop esso blog-frankly you are wrong wrong wrong!!!!!!
I have worked for 4 major oil companies-Esso are the most
safety conscious green of them all- to the point of making their employees want to SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have previously had an open mind re greenpeace,global warming,the whole caboodle-but this rubbish makes me
want to dismiss you all as fanatics who should get a proper job!

By Ceisiam - 5 October 2009 at 7:29pm

Describing Esso (or more accurately, their parent company Exxon Mobil) as in any sense 'green' is quite a remarkable statement - bizzare is the word that springs most immediately to mind.

This company has a record of fiercely opposing environmental regulations all over the world, is still trying to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling and prospecting, is reponsible for two of the worst oil spill disasters in living memory (in Nigeria and the Exxon Valdez in Alaska), and has spend hundreds of millions of dollars funding front groups created for the sole purpose of denying climate change.

For a more detailed breakdown of E-M's corporate and climate crimes, see: http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=295

I'm not surprised that being confronted with a list of their irresponsible activities made you, as a former employee, scream.

If I were you my scream had been one of embarassment and shame at ever having worked for them, rather than one of rage at the people who've patiently researched their crimes and exposed them for what they are.

I can only assume that as an ex-employee you've been 'institutionalised' by company propaganda. Wake up!

By clearlight - 6 October 2009 at 9:34am

I have just read your stop esso blog-frankly you are wrong wrong wrong!!!!!! I have worked for 4 major oil companies-Esso are the most safety conscious green of them all- to the point of making their employees want to SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have previously had an open mind re greenpeace,global warming,the whole caboodle-but this rubbish makes me want to dismiss you all as fanatics who should get a proper job!

By Ceisiam - 5 October 2009 at 7:29pm

Describing Esso (or more accurately, their parent company Exxon Mobil) as in any sense 'green' is quite a remarkable statement - bizzare is the word that springs most immediately to mind. This company has a record of fiercely opposing environmental regulations all over the world, is still trying to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling and prospecting, is reponsible for two of the worst oil spill disasters in living memory (in Nigeria and the Exxon Valdez in Alaska), and has spend hundreds of millions of dollars funding front groups created for the sole purpose of denying climate change. For a more detailed breakdown of E-M's corporate and climate crimes, see: http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=295 I'm not surprised that being confronted with a list of their irresponsible activities made you, as a former employee, scream. If I were you my scream had been one of embarassment and shame at ever having worked for them, rather than one of rage at the people who've patiently researched their crimes and exposed them for what they are. I can only assume that as an ex-employee you've been 'institutionalised' by company propaganda. Wake up!

By clearlight - 6 October 2009 at 9:34am

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