Ugh -- Great Strides Stress

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
So this past year a few of us discussed having a dance as part of a GS Event. One person had a barn available, access to catering -- just needed to arrange for beverages and a band. Then in this past spring, we found the barn wasn't available because the owner had livestock and did not want alcohol served on the premises. Also, our GS walk got postponed until next month due to flooding at our original park.

I knew we were cutting it short, but figured if we could get a band, everything would fall into place...So now we're dealing with summer. We have a venue, but still no band. We don't want to spend $$$ for a band, plus we don't want a terrible band and set a bad tone for future events.

People either aren't getting back to us regarding possible entertainment. I used what few contacts I had a month and a half ago. I'm tapped out, which I explained back in May.

Then we have people complaining that the walk interferes with their lake cabin time. Ugh! As in previous years we have issues with people who talk big -- can get companies to participate, food donated, entertainment, plan for additional events -- ones who originally step up to the plate and then disappear -- ignore email requests and conference calls... Some are our own team members who end up not raising any money for the walk, but sure show up on the day of for our after party and their free t-shirt. Ugh! I'm totally stressed out.

Add to that, DH got an offer for our group to either do concessions at a baseball tourney for 3 days (12 hour shifts) and get half the profits OR take tickets (admissions) for the tourney. And NOBODY got back to us on it and quite frankly -- the two of us just can't do it by ourselves for the entire time. So now he's mad because it makes him look bad, I'm annoyed that nobody is interested in raising $750-1000 for taking tickets. Plus I suspect that our rep never even bothered sending out an email to all the teamleaders to even ask them if they wanted to volunteer.

I'm sure it will all work out. Basically if we don't find a band, we'll scrap it until next year and get our ducks in a row.

I just want to walk to be over with -- sent out my letters the beginning of the week and got a few emails that people were going to donate online right away and nada. I'd done my email campaign with slide show last march before our walk got postponed.

I guess what it all boils down to is last night we had a conference call and nobody was prepared -- just promises of contacting bands, which should've been done MONTHS ago. PLUS, I never said a word to other team members when they or their families had health issues and dropped out of the walk in previous years, yet I saw on facebook a comment from an individual involved complaining about certain people getting sick (ds) and not stepping up to the plate.

Okay, vent over.... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
So this past year a few of us discussed having a dance as part of a GS Event. One person had a barn available, access to catering -- just needed to arrange for beverages and a band. Then in this past spring, we found the barn wasn't available because the owner had livestock and did not want alcohol served on the premises. Also, our GS walk got postponed until next month due to flooding at our original park.

I knew we were cutting it short, but figured if we could get a band, everything would fall into place...So now we're dealing with summer. We have a venue, but still no band. We don't want to spend $$$ for a band, plus we don't want a terrible band and set a bad tone for future events.

People either aren't getting back to us regarding possible entertainment. I used what few contacts I had a month and a half ago. I'm tapped out, which I explained back in May.

Then we have people complaining that the walk interferes with their lake cabin time. Ugh! As in previous years we have issues with people who talk big -- can get companies to participate, food donated, entertainment, plan for additional events -- ones who originally step up to the plate and then disappear -- ignore email requests and conference calls... Some are our own team members who end up not raising any money for the walk, but sure show up on the day of for our after party and their free t-shirt. Ugh! I'm totally stressed out.

Add to that, DH got an offer for our group to either do concessions at a baseball tourney for 3 days (12 hour shifts) and get half the profits OR take tickets (admissions) for the tourney. And NOBODY got back to us on it and quite frankly -- the two of us just can't do it by ourselves for the entire time. So now he's mad because it makes him look bad, I'm annoyed that nobody is interested in raising $750-1000 for taking tickets. Plus I suspect that our rep never even bothered sending out an email to all the teamleaders to even ask them if they wanted to volunteer.

I'm sure it will all work out. Basically if we don't find a band, we'll scrap it until next year and get our ducks in a row.

I just want to walk to be over with -- sent out my letters the beginning of the week and got a few emails that people were going to donate online right away and nada. I'd done my email campaign with slide show last march before our walk got postponed.

I guess what it all boils down to is last night we had a conference call and nobody was prepared -- just promises of contacting bands, which should've been done MONTHS ago. PLUS, I never said a word to other team members when they or their families had health issues and dropped out of the walk in previous years, yet I saw on facebook a comment from an individual involved complaining about certain people getting sick (ds) and not stepping up to the plate.

Okay, vent over.... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
So this past year a few of us discussed having a dance as part of a GS Event. One person had a barn available, access to catering -- just needed to arrange for beverages and a band. Then in this past spring, we found the barn wasn't available because the owner had livestock and did not want alcohol served on the premises. Also, our GS walk got postponed until next month due to flooding at our original park.

I knew we were cutting it short, but figured if we could get a band, everything would fall into place...So now we're dealing with summer. We have a venue, but still no band. We don't want to spend $$$ for a band, plus we don't want a terrible band and set a bad tone for future events.

People either aren't getting back to us regarding possible entertainment. I used what few contacts I had a month and a half ago. I'm tapped out, which I explained back in May.

Then we have people complaining that the walk interferes with their lake cabin time. Ugh! As in previous years we have issues with people who talk big -- can get companies to participate, food donated, entertainment, plan for additional events -- ones who originally step up to the plate and then disappear -- ignore email requests and conference calls... Some are our own team members who end up not raising any money for the walk, but sure show up on the day of for our after party and their free t-shirt. Ugh! I'm totally stressed out.

Add to that, DH got an offer for our group to either do concessions at a baseball tourney for 3 days (12 hour shifts) and get half the profits OR take tickets (admissions) for the tourney. And NOBODY got back to us on it and quite frankly -- the two of us just can't do it by ourselves for the entire time. So now he's mad because it makes him look bad, I'm annoyed that nobody is interested in raising $750-1000 for taking tickets. Plus I suspect that our rep never even bothered sending out an email to all the teamleaders to even ask them if they wanted to volunteer.

I'm sure it will all work out. Basically if we don't find a band, we'll scrap it until next year and get our ducks in a row.

I just want to walk to be over with -- sent out my letters the beginning of the week and got a few emails that people were going to donate online right away and nada. I'd done my email campaign with slide show last march before our walk got postponed.

I guess what it all boils down to is last night we had a conference call and nobody was prepared -- just promises of contacting bands, which should've been done MONTHS ago. PLUS, I never said a word to other team members when they or their families had health issues and dropped out of the walk in previous years, yet I saw on facebook a comment from an individual involved complaining about certain people getting sick (ds) and not stepping up to the plate.

Okay, vent over.... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
So this past year a few of us discussed having a dance as part of a GS Event. One person had a barn available, access to catering -- just needed to arrange for beverages and a band. Then in this past spring, we found the barn wasn't available because the owner had livestock and did not want alcohol served on the premises. Also, our GS walk got postponed until next month due to flooding at our original park.

I knew we were cutting it short, but figured if we could get a band, everything would fall into place...So now we're dealing with summer. We have a venue, but still no band. We don't want to spend $$$ for a band, plus we don't want a terrible band and set a bad tone for future events.

People either aren't getting back to us regarding possible entertainment. I used what few contacts I had a month and a half ago. I'm tapped out, which I explained back in May.

Then we have people complaining that the walk interferes with their lake cabin time. Ugh! As in previous years we have issues with people who talk big -- can get companies to participate, food donated, entertainment, plan for additional events -- ones who originally step up to the plate and then disappear -- ignore email requests and conference calls... Some are our own team members who end up not raising any money for the walk, but sure show up on the day of for our after party and their free t-shirt. Ugh! I'm totally stressed out.

Add to that, DH got an offer for our group to either do concessions at a baseball tourney for 3 days (12 hour shifts) and get half the profits OR take tickets (admissions) for the tourney. And NOBODY got back to us on it and quite frankly -- the two of us just can't do it by ourselves for the entire time. So now he's mad because it makes him look bad, I'm annoyed that nobody is interested in raising $750-1000 for taking tickets. Plus I suspect that our rep never even bothered sending out an email to all the teamleaders to even ask them if they wanted to volunteer.

I'm sure it will all work out. Basically if we don't find a band, we'll scrap it until next year and get our ducks in a row.

I just want to walk to be over with -- sent out my letters the beginning of the week and got a few emails that people were going to donate online right away and nada. I'd done my email campaign with slide show last march before our walk got postponed.

I guess what it all boils down to is last night we had a conference call and nobody was prepared -- just promises of contacting bands, which should've been done MONTHS ago. PLUS, I never said a word to other team members when they or their families had health issues and dropped out of the walk in previous years, yet I saw on facebook a comment from an individual involved complaining about certain people getting sick (ds) and not stepping up to the plate.

Okay, vent over.... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
So this past year a few of us discussed having a dance as part of a GS Event. One person had a barn available, access to catering -- just needed to arrange for beverages and a band. Then in this past spring, we found the barn wasn't available because the owner had livestock and did not want alcohol served on the premises. Also, our GS walk got postponed until next month due to flooding at our original park.
<br />
<br />I knew we were cutting it short, but figured if we could get a band, everything would fall into place...So now we're dealing with summer. We have a venue, but still no band. We don't want to spend $$$ for a band, plus we don't want a terrible band and set a bad tone for future events.
<br />
<br />People either aren't getting back to us regarding possible entertainment. I used what few contacts I had a month and a half ago. I'm tapped out, which I explained back in May.
<br />
<br />Then we have people complaining that the walk interferes with their lake cabin time. Ugh! As in previous years we have issues with people who talk big -- can get companies to participate, food donated, entertainment, plan for additional events -- ones who originally step up to the plate and then disappear -- ignore email requests and conference calls... Some are our own team members who end up not raising any money for the walk, but sure show up on the day of for our after party and their free t-shirt. Ugh! I'm totally stressed out.
<br />
<br />Add to that, DH got an offer for our group to either do concessions at a baseball tourney for 3 days (12 hour shifts) and get half the profits OR take tickets (admissions) for the tourney. And NOBODY got back to us on it and quite frankly -- the two of us just can't do it by ourselves for the entire time. So now he's mad because it makes him look bad, I'm annoyed that nobody is interested in raising $750-1000 for taking tickets. Plus I suspect that our rep never even bothered sending out an email to all the teamleaders to even ask them if they wanted to volunteer.
<br />
<br />I'm sure it will all work out. Basically if we don't find a band, we'll scrap it until next year and get our ducks in a row.
<br />
<br />I just want to walk to be over with -- sent out my letters the beginning of the week and got a few emails that people were going to donate online right away and nada. I'd done my email campaign with slide show last march before our walk got postponed.
<br />
<br />I guess what it all boils down to is last night we had a conference call and nobody was prepared -- just promises of contacting bands, which should've been done MONTHS ago. PLUS, I never said a word to other team members when they or their families had health issues and dropped out of the walk in previous years, yet I saw on facebook a comment from an individual involved complaining about certain people getting sick (ds) and not stepping up to the plate.
<br />
<br />Okay, vent over.... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

angelsmom

New member
I am mostly a lurker around here but today have some time to post and see that you have had a number of views and no responses!

I'm sorry you are so stressed over this. It really sucks that no one would follow through on their promises and it sucks even more that no one would participate in the concession / ticket taking deal your husband arranged. I would jump at the chance to be able to help out with something like that. Summer time is a hard time to fundraise and recruit people to help out though, so you definitely have that going against you. But you would think a few people could spare some time away to help out!

I hope things work out for you!

Sandra
 

angelsmom

New member
I am mostly a lurker around here but today have some time to post and see that you have had a number of views and no responses!

I'm sorry you are so stressed over this. It really sucks that no one would follow through on their promises and it sucks even more that no one would participate in the concession / ticket taking deal your husband arranged. I would jump at the chance to be able to help out with something like that. Summer time is a hard time to fundraise and recruit people to help out though, so you definitely have that going against you. But you would think a few people could spare some time away to help out!

I hope things work out for you!

Sandra
 

angelsmom

New member
I am mostly a lurker around here but today have some time to post and see that you have had a number of views and no responses!

I'm sorry you are so stressed over this. It really sucks that no one would follow through on their promises and it sucks even more that no one would participate in the concession / ticket taking deal your husband arranged. I would jump at the chance to be able to help out with something like that. Summer time is a hard time to fundraise and recruit people to help out though, so you definitely have that going against you. But you would think a few people could spare some time away to help out!

I hope things work out for you!

Sandra
 

angelsmom

New member
I am mostly a lurker around here but today have some time to post and see that you have had a number of views and no responses!

I'm sorry you are so stressed over this. It really sucks that no one would follow through on their promises and it sucks even more that no one would participate in the concession / ticket taking deal your husband arranged. I would jump at the chance to be able to help out with something like that. Summer time is a hard time to fundraise and recruit people to help out though, so you definitely have that going against you. But you would think a few people could spare some time away to help out!

I hope things work out for you!

Sandra
 

angelsmom

New member
I am mostly a lurker around here but today have some time to post and see that you have had a number of views and no responses!
<br />
<br />I'm sorry you are so stressed over this. It really sucks that no one would follow through on their promises and it sucks even more that no one would participate in the concession / ticket taking deal your husband arranged. I would jump at the chance to be able to help out with something like that. Summer time is a hard time to fundraise and recruit people to help out though, so you definitely have that going against you. But you would think a few people could spare some time away to help out!
<br />
<br />I hope things work out for you!
<br />
<br />Sandra
<br />
<br />
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
Liza,
I'm sorry you're having trouble getting people to pitch in and help. You guys have had your plate full with Max being sick and in the hospital, don't have to tell you that. He is your first priority; his day to day health care. When things are going well it's easier to do the extras for Great Strides. I would not stress about it. Do what you can; do not go overboard and so be it. There is always someone who will complain. Too bad; they are not in your shoes; life is too short for complainers is the way I feel. About the band; Don;t know if this idea is lame but what about just using an I-pod; with a themed music mix...Like all 70's music and people dress up in 70's clothes; or the 80's..Whatever your taste is; or since it's in a barn maybe country music stuff like that..Take care of yourself and ignore those complainers!
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
Liza,
I'm sorry you're having trouble getting people to pitch in and help. You guys have had your plate full with Max being sick and in the hospital, don't have to tell you that. He is your first priority; his day to day health care. When things are going well it's easier to do the extras for Great Strides. I would not stress about it. Do what you can; do not go overboard and so be it. There is always someone who will complain. Too bad; they are not in your shoes; life is too short for complainers is the way I feel. About the band; Don;t know if this idea is lame but what about just using an I-pod; with a themed music mix...Like all 70's music and people dress up in 70's clothes; or the 80's..Whatever your taste is; or since it's in a barn maybe country music stuff like that..Take care of yourself and ignore those complainers!
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
Liza,
I'm sorry you're having trouble getting people to pitch in and help. You guys have had your plate full with Max being sick and in the hospital, don't have to tell you that. He is your first priority; his day to day health care. When things are going well it's easier to do the extras for Great Strides. I would not stress about it. Do what you can; do not go overboard and so be it. There is always someone who will complain. Too bad; they are not in your shoes; life is too short for complainers is the way I feel. About the band; Don;t know if this idea is lame but what about just using an I-pod; with a themed music mix...Like all 70's music and people dress up in 70's clothes; or the 80's..Whatever your taste is; or since it's in a barn maybe country music stuff like that..Take care of yourself and ignore those complainers!
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
Liza,
I'm sorry you're having trouble getting people to pitch in and help. You guys have had your plate full with Max being sick and in the hospital, don't have to tell you that. He is your first priority; his day to day health care. When things are going well it's easier to do the extras for Great Strides. I would not stress about it. Do what you can; do not go overboard and so be it. There is always someone who will complain. Too bad; they are not in your shoes; life is too short for complainers is the way I feel. About the band; Don;t know if this idea is lame but what about just using an I-pod; with a themed music mix...Like all 70's music and people dress up in 70's clothes; or the 80's..Whatever your taste is; or since it's in a barn maybe country music stuff like that..Take care of yourself and ignore those complainers!
 

Rebjane

Super Moderator
Liza,
I'm sorry you're having trouble getting people to pitch in and help. You guys have had your plate full with Max being sick and in the hospital, don't have to tell you that. He is your first priority; his day to day health care. When things are going well it's easier to do the extras for Great Strides. I would not stress about it. Do what you can; do not go overboard and so be it. There is always someone who will complain. Too bad; they are not in your shoes; life is too short for complainers is the way I feel. About the band; Don;t know if this idea is lame but what about just using an I-pod; with a themed music mix...Like all 70's music and people dress up in 70's clothes; or the 80's..Whatever your taste is; or since it's in a barn maybe country music stuff like that..Take care of yourself and ignore those complainers!
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks. I always get stressed before GS anyway and then all this extra stuff. I have mentioned alternatives, even that we could maybe convince a former DJ friend of ours to come out of retirement and it fell upon deaf ears.

And it is very frustrating that we had a very good fundraising opportunity, but there was no way that DH and I could handle it on our own for the weekend as we didn't have anywhere for DS to go and would've been brutal expecting him to hang out at the entrance of a ball park for that amount of time.

So I figure we've done our part -- I contacted who I said I would, passed on info, made suggestions... Just a tad aggravated. Just have to remember all those who do pitch in and who've offered support these past few weeks. The facebook comment really hit a nerve.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks. I always get stressed before GS anyway and then all this extra stuff. I have mentioned alternatives, even that we could maybe convince a former DJ friend of ours to come out of retirement and it fell upon deaf ears.

And it is very frustrating that we had a very good fundraising opportunity, but there was no way that DH and I could handle it on our own for the weekend as we didn't have anywhere for DS to go and would've been brutal expecting him to hang out at the entrance of a ball park for that amount of time.

So I figure we've done our part -- I contacted who I said I would, passed on info, made suggestions... Just a tad aggravated. Just have to remember all those who do pitch in and who've offered support these past few weeks. The facebook comment really hit a nerve.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks. I always get stressed before GS anyway and then all this extra stuff. I have mentioned alternatives, even that we could maybe convince a former DJ friend of ours to come out of retirement and it fell upon deaf ears.

And it is very frustrating that we had a very good fundraising opportunity, but there was no way that DH and I could handle it on our own for the weekend as we didn't have anywhere for DS to go and would've been brutal expecting him to hang out at the entrance of a ball park for that amount of time.

So I figure we've done our part -- I contacted who I said I would, passed on info, made suggestions... Just a tad aggravated. Just have to remember all those who do pitch in and who've offered support these past few weeks. The facebook comment really hit a nerve.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks. I always get stressed before GS anyway and then all this extra stuff. I have mentioned alternatives, even that we could maybe convince a former DJ friend of ours to come out of retirement and it fell upon deaf ears.

And it is very frustrating that we had a very good fundraising opportunity, but there was no way that DH and I could handle it on our own for the weekend as we didn't have anywhere for DS to go and would've been brutal expecting him to hang out at the entrance of a ball park for that amount of time.

So I figure we've done our part -- I contacted who I said I would, passed on info, made suggestions... Just a tad aggravated. Just have to remember all those who do pitch in and who've offered support these past few weeks. The facebook comment really hit a nerve.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks. I always get stressed before GS anyway and then all this extra stuff. I have mentioned alternatives, even that we could maybe convince a former DJ friend of ours to come out of retirement and it fell upon deaf ears.
<br />
<br />And it is very frustrating that we had a very good fundraising opportunity, but there was no way that DH and I could handle it on our own for the weekend as we didn't have anywhere for DS to go and would've been brutal expecting him to hang out at the entrance of a ball park for that amount of time.
<br />
<br />So I figure we've done our part -- I contacted who I said I would, passed on info, made suggestions... Just a tad aggravated. Just have to remember all those who do pitch in and who've offered support these past few weeks. The facebook comment really hit a nerve.
 
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