The Dreaded Snack Bar Duty
Advice from an experienced volunteer board member and parent
With the Third Job Blog, we promise to bring you stories from volunteer board members across the country.
This week’s article is brought to you by our first guest contributor, Jordan Lane. Jordan has served for years on multiple volunteer boards and brings a wealth of experience as a board member and proud Father.
Snack bar Duty: Fear Not, You Got This
You know the situation; your little one is excited to start her first season of a new sport. Registration fee is done. The forms are complete and submitted. The team’s name has been voted on.
The uniforms are ordered. Her coach has sent the first introductory email. Then, it happens! You get an email from someone on the board with a link to sign up for the dreaded snack bar.
Your first thought is – I’ll delete the email. They will never know.
The second thought is – maybe I can get out of it. But alas, there is not a buy out and if you do not register for a shift, then the uniform your little one is desperately waiting for will not be handed out.
Shoot. Other than moving to foreign country and assuming a new identify, you know that you must suck it up and register for snack bar duty.
Okay - now breathe! Here are some tips from a board member and parent to make this an easier experience.
1. Sign up EARLY. Find a date and time that works for you and go for it. You can always trade with someone at a later date if something comes up.
2. If you are absolutely terrified of the prospect of working the snack bar, find a later shift in the season. By then, hopefully, any kinks in the process will be figured out. You can also trade up if an earlier date is better.
3. Most importantly, ask question and attend any training that is offered.
BOTTOM LINE:
Embrace the snack bar shift! The snack bar has likely been running years before your shift began and will keep running long after your little one ages out of the league.
The odds of you “burning it all down” are basically zero. If you get overwhelmed, pause, take a breath, and ask for help. There’s almost always someone nearby. This could be the grandmother in the stands who, unbeknownst to you, started the snack bar fifty years ago or someone right beside you who has worked the snack bar before and can lend a hand.
You’ve got this and be sure to try the nachos!
About the Guest Contributor:
Jordan Lane is a serial volunteer. His service spans youth and adult sports programs - including soccer, softball, basketball, and hockey - as well as a variety of community-focused efforts.
Jordan has served on a Scouting board, supported adults with developmental disabilities, helped feed the hungry, and continues to contribute to numerous other local initiatives. He lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and daughter.