A Vent - Stand duty for sports

[klj27]

The OP was talking about someone who "didn't want to work the stand" not someone with a valid issue. No one has said that valid issues wouldn't or shouldn't be taken into consideration. Do you think someone saying "I don't want to do it" is a good reason?

Nope, that's not a good reason at all!

 

[Mkrop]

Really? It was mandatory back in the 80s?

Like I said, that's why we had -- and still have -- boosters. Volunteers, the real thing, not forced participation.

You mentioned this before what is boosters?

 

[LUVMYTINK]

I hate snack bar duty and I am totally dreading but it is a necessary evil of my son playing Little League.


GL

You and me both

Wait a second...you deliberately schedule people DURING their children's games?? No way, no how would that fly with any of the parents here.

Here we are scheduled while are kids playing, 3 innings, either the first 3 if you are the home team, last 3 if you are the away team. If it is a weeknight, then eveyone helps clean up, if it is a weekend then you just hand off to the enxt shift unless you are the last game then you have to clean up.

We work during our kids games here too. Except we work the whole game unless we do a split shift with another family to were we each do 3 innings for my day and then 3 innings for their day.
Or in our case, I work 3 of the innings and my DH will work the other 3.

I agree.. What about the single mom who is working 2 or 3 jobs to keep food on the table?

The parents who have another child who is fighting cancer or some other serious illness?

Kids who are being raised by an elderly grandparent?

It's just not as cut and dried as some believe..

I'm pretty sure that in cases where its impossible there would be other options, but the mother in the OP "just doesn't feel like driving". She agreed to the terms when she signed her child up, if there were issues that prevented her from doing it, it could be worked out. However flaking out is just that and its not covered under the circumstances C.Ann listed. Those things that aren't cut and dry need to be discussed beforehand because most people understand that not all parents are capable and other arrangements could be worked out for your family. However when you are capable, it is expected and pretty cut and dry.

I was in that boat for 2 seasons when my DH was deployed to Iraq for the entire 2 seasons. Team moms were both understanding and we worked it out to where she would cover my shift or get a friend to do it and I would supply the aftergame snacks for 2 games instead of one.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Do you think someone saying "I don't want to do it" is a good reason?

Actually, I do.

People aren't obligated to go any further than that in their explanations.

 

[janets]

Our league does it a bit differently.

When ds was younger, all the teams had an obligation to work the concession stand. Your team was assigned a certain game (when your team was playing) and you picked one of the three shifts. I worked the middle shift and let me tell you, I'm not too bad on a grill!

However, they must have had all sorts of issues with getting people to cover shifts, including other things needed, so they changed how they got the help.

Instead of having parents volunteer, or even having it mandatory that each team had to have parents working different things, they instituted a "work bond" for all of the coaches. And you don't get your money back unless you work.

So the people that were already putting in time and effort coaching the kids now had to work as well...concession, spirit wear, field work detail, etc. Because they just could not get the team parents to do it, they put the burden on the ones they knew were guaranteed to work...the coaches.

DH coaches our younger son's team. So guess who works off his bond? Me. I'm working a 2 or 3 hour shift on May 1 (my birthday, in fact) selling spirit wear (logo shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc) during one of the picture sessions up at the middle school. Inside, lots of people around, no big deal.

But to put this kind of burden on those who already do the most, to me, is so sad. Even more so since so many parents just don't (or can't) be bothered.

 

[cats mom]

You mentioned this before what is boosters?

A booster club is a non profit organization formed to support (read: raise money) for an associated sports team or club. They're very common in college, high school, and travel or club level sports.

I'm not aware of any booster clubs for little league or rec level sports around here (which is what I believe the OP is involved with) but that doesn't mean they're not out there.

You want to talk about serious expectations/commitments... get involved with some of the more intense booster organizations. Working a 1.5 hour snack bar shift is nothing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Actually, I do.

People aren't obligated to go any further than that in their explanations.

If they wish to avoid a consequence they do. It is what they signed up for and a reason cannot be determined valid if it is disguised as laziness.

 

[klj27]

A booster club is a non profit organization formed to support (read: raise money) for an associated sports team or club. They're very common in college, high school, and travel or club level sports.

I'm not aware of any booster clubs for little league or rec level sports around here (which is what I believe the OP is involved with) but that doesn't mean they're not out there.

You want to talk about serious expectations/commitments... get involved with some of the more intense booster organizations. Working a 1.5 hour snack bar shift is nothing.

My daughter is in high school color guard/marching band. I just signed the paperwork for this year and if your child is involved you are automatically a Booster. We had to agree to a combination of raising $150 and working 25 hours. (This doesn't count the two people per family required to work the all day invitational.) The nice thing is that 25% of any money you raise or any funds raised with your time go to our personal account. You can pay a straight $350 fee and not volunteer or fundraise but none of that goes in your personal account. We are going to be fundraising like crazy people because our band in going to WDW next April!!!

 

[MushyMushy]

A booster club is a non profit organization formed to support (read: raise money) for an associated sports team or club. They're very common in college, high school, and travel or club level sports.

I'm not aware of any booster clubs for little league or rec level sports around here (which is what I believe the OP is involved with) but that doesn't mean they're not out there.

You want to talk about serious expectations/commitments... get involved with some of the more intense booster organizations. Working a 1.5 hour snack bar shift is nothing.

Oh yeah, boosters are pretty heavily involved.

I see that a lot of people feel differently, but I just am not interested in devoting a lot of time to an activity like that. That doesn't mean I don't spend a lot of time volunteering. I think that volunteers should do it because they LOVE doing it, not because they feel obligated.

 

[mtemm]

am not sure if I missed this somewhere, but is there a dad that could work the snack bar, or is it a situation where its only the mom? am wondering why she is the only one being held responsible for it.

am not quite sure how it is handled here yet because my eldest is is AAA ball this year and we haven't graduated to the good fields yet. lol. we're still on the school ones where there aren't any stands, but next year I believe we are responsible for volunteering a certain amount of time. soccer in the fall was the same, but only a certain number of parents per team needed to.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We don't have concession stands for kids sports here. I guess I'm not understanding why a child's sport would need to raise that much money, but I accept that they do.

Having said that, I would have read the initial contract you describe as "you pay this fee, and get it back if you VOLUNTEER to work", and given my schedule, I would have said "OK, keep my $25".

I work a part time job (in addition to my regular job) that is hourly as a consultant, and schedule my hours pretty closely around my child's sports. A 90 minute shift with a 60 minute commute would mean 4 lost hours for me, which is way more money than a $25 or $50 fee. Would I complain about it? No, but I would go into it knowing that I was planning on paying the fee. If my $100 sports registration suddenly turned to $500 registration becuase of lost income due to a change in policy, I would not be amused.

Now, if she knew upfront that concession stands were mandatory, then she could have chosen another sport for her child. But if all the information she had was "pay $25 or volunteer" then I think she gets to choose between those two things.

 

[Mkrop]

A booster club is a non profit organization formed to support (read: raise money) for an associated sports team or club. They're very common in college, high school, and travel or club level sports.

I'm not aware of any booster clubs for little league or rec level sports around here (which is what I believe the OP is involved with) but that doesn't mean they're not out there.

You want to talk about serious expectations/commitments... get involved with some of the more intense booster organizations. Working a 1.5 hour snack bar shift is nothing.

So isnt this volunteers too? I dont see the difference. This seems more organized but I assuming it involves parental involvement on some level.

 

[golfgal]

My daughter is in high school color guard/marching band. I just signed the paperwork for this year and if your child is involved you are automatically a Booster. We had to agree to a combination of raising $150 and working 25 hours. (This doesn't count the two people per family required to work the all day invitational.) The nice thing is that 25% of any money you raise or any funds raised with your time go to our personal account. You can pay a straight $350 fee and not volunteer or fundraise but none of that goes in your personal account. We are going to be fundraising like crazy people because our band in going to WDW next April!!!

You band fee is only $350 Our band fee is $800, color guard is $1200.

 

[Mkrop]

We don't have concession stands for kids sports here. I guess I'm not understanding why a child's sport would need to raise that much money, but I accept that they do.Having said that, I would have read the initial contract you describe as "you pay this fee, and get it back if you VOLUNTEER to work", and given my schedule, I would have said "OK, keep my $25".

I work a part time job (in addition to my regular job) that is hourly as a consultant, and schedule my hours pretty closely around my child's sports. A 90 minute shift with a 60 minute commute would mean 4 lost hours for me, which is way more money than a $25 or $50 fee. Would I complain about it? No, but I would go into it knowing that I was planning on paying the fee. If my $100 sports registration suddenly turned to $500 registration becuase of lost income due to a change in policy, I would not be amused.

Now, if she knew upfront that concession stands were mandatory, then she could have chosen another sport for her child. But if all the information she had was "pay $25 or volunteer" then I think she gets to choose between those two things.

Recently our LL got into negotations for a township field with the soccer people. We are outgrowing our space for LL, we need every field we can get and they seem to go to the highest bidder. But some of the fees for fields just to step foot on them, and then the townships also expected us to pay to maintain the field were really high. I know I had no clue it cost that much to just have fields for LL, let alone insurance and other expenses.

 

[luvmy3]

am not sure if I missed this somewhere, but is there a dad that could work the snack bar, or is it a situation where its only the mom? am wondering why she is the only one being held responsible for it.

am not quite sure how it is handled here yet because my eldest is is AAA ball this year and we haven't graduated to the good fields yet. lol. we're still on the school ones where there aren't any stands, but next year I believe we are responsible for volunteering a certain amount of time. soccer in the fall was the same, but only a certain number of parents per team needed to.

Its not required by the mom but I know I'm the one who takes on those resposnibilities in our family. The league doesn't care who volunteers from the family as long as somebody does.

 

[MushyMushy]

You band fee is only $350 Our band fee is $800, color guard is $1200.

Our band fee is -- wait for it -- $0.

Just out of curiosity, what does your fee go towards? I seem to remember that you have a pretty active and talented band, right?

So isnt this volunteers too? I dont see the difference. This seems more organized but I assuming it involves parental involvement on some level.

When I think of boosters, it seems to me it's a more focused group of people, usually parents, but sometimes just anyone interested in joining and helping whatever group or sport they are supporting. It's not expected that everyone will join and it's purely voluntary. I still remember all the boosters from the 80s when I was in band, and I'm still very friendly with them! Although I chose not to do boosters (and wasn't considered deadbeat for it) in middle school, I'll definitely join for the high school. I have yet to see anyone in the boosters complain about non-participating parents and they sure don't act put upon by it. Maybe because it's something they WANT to do and it's a choice for them? At any rate, they devote a lot of time to what they're doing and love it.

I think all the work will even out in the end -- say you have a child in band and baseball. You're putting all your time and effort into that sport, raising money and helping for my child, while I'm doing my part for your child in the other area. Does that make sense?

 

[klj27]

You band fee is only $350 Our band fee is $800, color guard is $1200.

That is the fundraising fee. The marching band fee is only $390 though. That covers uniforms, busses, 6 competitions and band camp. Marching band runs July - November.

Color Guard is $240 for marching band season and $250 for winter guard season. That also includes costumes, flags, rifles, sabers, bags, gloves, band camp, busses, and 11 competitions.

The school does not put any money towards band or guard. i think our fees are reasonable because of fundraising by the parents aka the boosters.

We do have to pay for band banquet and the once a year band trip. Next year the trip is to WDW and it will be $600.

 

[golfgal]

Our band fee is -- wait for it -- $0.

Just out of curiosity, what does your fee go towards? I seem to remember that you have a pretty active and talented band, right?

Yes, the fees cover a week at band camp-they stay at a college about 2 hours away, 2 overnight trips and a weekend long trip to St. Louis for a BOA regional competition. A lot of it just pays for the bus rides, which are very expensive. One competition is only about 3 miles away and that one alone costs almost $2000 just for the buses.

 

[Mkrop]

I just got this email and thought it was funny given this thread, our game got moved to the snack bar field so now we (the team) needs to man it. I cant do it bc I will have my youngest and I dont feel comfortable leaving him unattended at this field. Too many cars moving about. I will be getting someone to watch him on my MANDATORY days. DH helps on the field during the game.

Hi Everyone,

Since Saturday's game is now at ABC field, we'll need to man the Snack Shop. Can anyone help me. We are the Home Team.


Thanks,

LB

 

[brockash]

Actually, I do.

People aren't obligated to go any further than that in their explanations.

Really You don't think so??? This person signed up and part of signing up was that they'd either pay $25 bucks or do the stand for 90 mins...this person still signed their dd up, but now refuses to do either? Really, you think because "she doesn't want to, or doesn't feel like driving the 30 mins.," is a good reason not to have to do it? Well if that's the case, then yes I'm going to sign my kid up and yes I see that it cost 50 bucks, but you know what; I don't feel like paying it Come on now, you know that's insane... and there's no difference between deciding that I don't want to pay the sign-up fee, and deciding that I don't want to pay the $25 or the do the stand.- Either way it was part of the deal when she signed up her dd.