Today, day 1677, is the
Do you know why today's society is full of lazy, irresponsible, entitled children, teenagers and young adults? I'll tell you why. It's because there are more and more lazy, irresponsible, entitled ADULTS in this world.
Someone I barely know told me yesterday that I'm always so polite and happy, and that it was refreshing. That was a nice compliment, because I really do try. I mean, life is good so why not be happy?
They probably wouldn't have said it about me today.
Warning: LONG RANT AHEAD!
For the past five years I have volunteered with a non-profit organization (youth softball league). Most of the time I enjoy it (obviously, because I'm still there after five years!). My daughter started in tee ball when she was 4 years old, and this is her eighth year of playing. I have grown to love the game, and I love watching her play. I also love that my love for those two things has presented me with an opportunity to give back. When you work with the public in any capacity, you have to expect that you will interact with a diverse group of people. Sometimes that's a positive. I've made some very good friends and have worked alongside some incredibly dedicated and enjoyable men and women. On the flip side, it's not always sunshine and roses. In fact, this is going to be my new business card:
Like it? I'm going to hand it out to everyone who complains about something not going their way and unrealistically expecting me (or any other volunteer) to appease them.
THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND YOU!
Honestly, you would be amazed at how many selfish, inconsiderate, petty people there are in this world. Everyone is in it for themselves and what they can get out of it. If one little thing goes wrong, instead of adjusting their sails and going with the flow, everyone seems to make mountains out of molehills and they aren't satisfied until they feel validated. It's getting ridiculous.
I spend hundreds of hours of my own time "working" for this organization. Most of that time is spent on my computer, on my couch in the comfort of my own home.... but it's still time that takes me away from my family and other things I might want to do. I can't even take a guess at the number of phone calls, texts and emails I send and receive each week. I'm surprised my phone hasn't blown up.
As league secretary:
- I am the primary records keeper for the league.
- I prepare minutes of every board meeting, e-mail copies of minutes to Board Members, and provide hard copies to be read during the next board meeting. Along with that I prepare a summary of electronic decisions to be read into the next regularly scheduled meeting.
- I work with other officers and the scheduler (me) to develop an annual calendar of events.
- I lead the effort to prepare and set up for spring and fall registrations, prepare and submit registration dates and other pertinent information to local media.
- I prepare and distribute flyers (schools, churches, etc). This year we passed out 2000+ flyers.
- I prepare and submit roster insurance documents (282 players this spring) and provide registration numbers to Division Reps.
- I prepare draft lists for each age group, and notebooks for coaches before draft.
- I prepare team forms for player, coach and parent shirts.
- I collect and file completed code of ethics forms for all coaches.
- I collect insurance and waiver forms from each team.
- I have to ensure every coach has turned in a coaching application and completed their background check, and I am the one who nags every single parent to send in their player's birth certificate.
- I enter insurance information on the District 11 spreadsheet and communicate with the appropriate person at District 11.
- As scheduler for the league, I schedule games and practices for 25+ teams. I coordinate with at least five other leagues to cross-schedule games so our teams have a variety of opponents.
- I develop and communicate the park opening and closing schedule.
- I prepare all-star information for closing ceremonies.
- I am the primary avenue of communication between the league and the coaches & parents. I keep Facebook updated and I design and maintain the league's web site.
- I plan, advertise and schedule tournaments throughout the year, preparing coaches packets, making the schedules and purchasing the trophies/medals for each tournament.
- I coordinate with the district umpire in charge, making sure every game has an umpire. I work with the league treasurer to ensure the umpires are paid the correct amount each week.
I also spend countless hours at our league's facility. Although my lymphedema prevents me from doing a lot of the physical work at the fields, I try to do my share by picking up trash, emptying trash cans, cleaning the bleachers and/or press box area, purchasing and stocking softballs and trophies for the league season, and I've even been known to hop on the Toro machine and drag a field or two. I have cleaned bathrooms, thrown away your trash and even served nachos and frito pie. As one of only seven board members, I am on the schedule about a dozen times this spring to open and/or close the fields on game nights.
Do you know why I do all of that? I volunteer because it's my way of giving back. I like being around softball, and I like knowing that I'm doing my part to help give kids a fun, safe place to play ball.
But you know what? MY KID DOESN'T EVEN PLAY IN THE LEAGUE!!!!!!
She plays softball, but she plays on a travel team (tournaments only, most of them out of town).
You want to complain because you didn't like the way someone spoke to you?
You want to complain because you don't like where someone parked?
You want to complain, quit & then ask for a refund?
You want to complain about who your child's coach is (or isn't), but you haven't stepped up yourself to coach?
You want to complain about having to help close the fields ONE evening during the 8 week season?
You want to complain about being asked to participate in a fundraiser? A fundraiser that will help a NON-PROFIT league provide equipment, truckloads of dirt, bases, field machines, scoreboards, chalk, and dozens of other things so YOUR CHILD can have fun playing softball? A league that was bankrupt three years ago?
You want to complain because a mistake was made on your team shirts or your parent shirts?
You want to complain that you had to wait five extra minutes for your nachos/hamburger/fries?
I'm sorry, but your complaints are falling on deaf ears.
I listed everything I do for this league day in and day out. And I'm just one person. There are others who bust their asses for this league (and all of the other volunteer-run leagues), the same as me. People with jobs, people with families, people with lives outside of softball. People who are out at the parks until after midnight getting fields ready to play on the next day. People who work hard to solicit dozens of sponsors to help the league financially (because trust me, the $75 registration fee that you complain about paying barely scratches the surface). People who do softball instead of their own jobs at work because a city inspection had to be done at the complex or irrigation guys had to be let on the field or a financial report had to be completed or repairs needed to be made in the concession stand.
What do you do, besides show up for games and practices and leave when you're done?
Some of you do step in and help without being asked, and we greatly appreciate it. But you are the minority.
There are a million and one things that have to happen, both behind the scenes and at the fields, to give your child a fantastic place to play softball. And you know what? We have seven board members. Seven volunteers. Seven people who spend their time and energy year-round volunteering for almost 300 kids. It doesn't happen by magic.
So let me ask again ....before you complain, have YOU volunteered?
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