Suppose I am organizing a birthday party for a coworker. This is not an official event. The team as a whole agreed to do it on every coworker's birthday.
Someone needs to get a cake (and some other things) from the shop. I would like one of my coworkers1 to volunteer, because it is not practical for me to go to the shop every time. The volunteer won't pay for the cake.
I want to avoid:
- Choosing a "volunteer" due to the Got Volunteered issues. (warning: tvtropes)
- Trickery like "who likes ice cream?"2 because it makes the "chosen one" feel stupid.
- Draw of lots, Rock Paper Scissors, etc. because it makes a mountain out of a molehill.
- "Who is getting the cake?" due to Diffusion of responsibility.
How can I get someone to volunteer for such unofficial team building tasks while avoiding creating any negative vibes in the team?
1 I am not the team manager, but the most senior team member, which makes me the "ex officio" organizer for these fun events.
2 Whoever raises their hand or says "me" first is chosen as the volunteer.