quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
You colors or lack of them are showing.
I wouldn't talk TR!
.
I wouldn't talk TR!
I wouldn't talk TR!
There will ALWAYS be parents who refuse to get involved and there are those who will always volunteer their time.
League says its unfair to the parents who have to cover and miss their child's game....it is, but isn't it unfair for the child who is benched ????
You should not punish the child.
League says its unfair to the parents who have to cover and miss their child's game....it is, but isn't it unfair for the child who is benched ????
You should not punish the child.
KInd of like punishing a kid in LL who is late for practice...He can't drive. It's a situation out of his control. A child should never have to pay for the parents' problems. Just a strange rule, since the whole program is supposed to be about the kids! MOst programs, with candy sales for fund-raisers, there is a buyout fee. $25-$30 is a nice chunk of change for a young teen to earn manning the concession stnd a couple of hours for someone who couldn't/wouldn't.
Has anyone ever ran a LL snack bar. My best friend did it. She is a single mom and a teacher when she did this. It is a lot of work. We as board members started to charge parents snack bar fees because a lot of them if not forced will not help. We took the fees and we paid kids to do it.If you didnt want to work it you just paid the fee.
You all know running a LL is a lot of work, the few do a lot and the majority do little. when you play 20 plus games in a season and you are given a schedule well in advance you can make some sort of arrangement for someone to do it or pay. If you cant afford to pay then thats a different story and Im sure people will understand. But if you cant afford to pay then out of 20 plus games you can work the snack bar a couple times. As far as sitting the kid , maybe in this league its been an ongoing problem. We all know playtime is always an issue so maybe taking play time away will make the parents who are not helping step up.
You all know running a LL is a lot of work, the few do a lot and the majority do little. when you play 20 plus games in a season and you are given a schedule well in advance you can make some sort of arrangement for someone to do it or pay. If you cant afford to pay then thats a different story and Im sure people will understand. But if you cant afford to pay then out of 20 plus games you can work the snack bar a couple times. As far as sitting the kid , maybe in this league its been an ongoing problem. We all know playtime is always an issue so maybe taking play time away will make the parents who are not helping step up.
FYAA response (from fyaa.com)
Over the last week the Freetown Youth Athletic Association has been brought into a National debate over its enforcement of a rule in its organization. While the FYAA understands the need for the media to cover this story, we feel that all the facts have not been presented.
The Freetown Youth Athletic Association is a non-profit organization run by unpaid volunteers. Every cent raised through registration, fundraising and the Concession stand are spent on uniforms, equipment, field maintenance and improvements. Anyone who has ever been involved in running a youth organization realizes the tremendous amount of time, effort and money it takes to keep an organization running season after season.
The men and women who have volunteered to lead this organization are all working professionals with busy lives of their own. These men and women represent a variety of professions from teachers, craftsmen, law enforcement officers, therapists, housewives as well as a numbers of other professions. We have made a commitment to provide the children of our town the opportunity to play baseball and softball with safe playing conditions, equipment, and rules in a structured environment.
On Tuesday May 6, 2008, Mrs. Hooper, while watching her son’s game, informed an assistant coach that she would not be at the concession stand the following night, because she had to work. That coach informed her that she needed to speak with the team manager, which she never did. She never asked any of the parents at the game to help her out, she never called any of the directors, and she just failed to show.
On Thursday May 8, 2008, when Mrs. Hooper was informed that her son wouldn’t be allowed to participate for two games she was understandably upset. Instead of sitting out that night, her son was allowed to play while the facts were gathered regarding her issues. Once the FYAA had the full story it decided to impose the penalty. When Mrs. Hooper was informed of this, she again was upset and stated something needs to be done. At that point she was offered the chance to have her issues heard before the league that very evening; she refused to attend the meeting. Instead on Friday May 9, 2008, she contacted a State Representative, who in turn contacted the Freetown Board of Selectmen.
On Monday May 12, 2008, Mrs. Hooper and the League President again spoke about the issue. Mrs. Hooper was again offered the opportunity to speak with the Board of Directors either in an emergency meeting prior to the start of her son’s game the next day or via e-mail. She again declined and stated “my son will sit, I will bring him to the field and he will sit on the bench” Mrs. Hooper was informed that this was not part of the rule and her son did not have to sit on the bench. The decision was made by Mrs. Hooper, not the league, to have her son sit the bench.
Instead of meeting with the board and attempting to have the rule changed as she has indicated is all she wants, she choose to contact the local newspaper which led to this becoming a national news story on the very same day that eighteen teachers and faculty were laid off from their jobs in Freetown but which hasn’t received even a fraction of the same press.
The reports have stated that Mrs. Hooper signed a contract. She signed a registration form which indicates several key issues that the FYAA wants the parents to by aware of. One of which is that they understand their responsibilities for working our concession stand and the consequences if the obligation is not meet.
This registration was completed and signed by Mrs. Hooper back on October 2, 2007. Since that time, the league has sent out several mass emails to parents regarding upcoming events and responsibilities which included reminders about fundraising and concession stand duties. Parents were informed in those emails that if they were unable to attend their scheduled night that it was their responsibility to get a suitable replacement or swap nights with another parent.
While the news media has focused on the FYAA and our rule of punishing the players for the parent’s mistake. It is a fact that many leagues in this area and across this country have similar rules in place.
We appreciate the surprising support we’ve received from not only the parents in the association and people in the region but from people across the country.
Each and every month the FYAA holds its monthly meeting, we have and continue to invite anyone to attend, make suggestions, voice concerns and help run our league as volunteers are always in short supply. There are always plenty of seats available as typically there are only a handful of people in attendance.
Thank You
FYAA Board of Directors.
Over the last week the Freetown Youth Athletic Association has been brought into a National debate over its enforcement of a rule in its organization. While the FYAA understands the need for the media to cover this story, we feel that all the facts have not been presented.
The Freetown Youth Athletic Association is a non-profit organization run by unpaid volunteers. Every cent raised through registration, fundraising and the Concession stand are spent on uniforms, equipment, field maintenance and improvements. Anyone who has ever been involved in running a youth organization realizes the tremendous amount of time, effort and money it takes to keep an organization running season after season.
The men and women who have volunteered to lead this organization are all working professionals with busy lives of their own. These men and women represent a variety of professions from teachers, craftsmen, law enforcement officers, therapists, housewives as well as a numbers of other professions. We have made a commitment to provide the children of our town the opportunity to play baseball and softball with safe playing conditions, equipment, and rules in a structured environment.
On Tuesday May 6, 2008, Mrs. Hooper, while watching her son’s game, informed an assistant coach that she would not be at the concession stand the following night, because she had to work. That coach informed her that she needed to speak with the team manager, which she never did. She never asked any of the parents at the game to help her out, she never called any of the directors, and she just failed to show.
On Thursday May 8, 2008, when Mrs. Hooper was informed that her son wouldn’t be allowed to participate for two games she was understandably upset. Instead of sitting out that night, her son was allowed to play while the facts were gathered regarding her issues. Once the FYAA had the full story it decided to impose the penalty. When Mrs. Hooper was informed of this, she again was upset and stated something needs to be done. At that point she was offered the chance to have her issues heard before the league that very evening; she refused to attend the meeting. Instead on Friday May 9, 2008, she contacted a State Representative, who in turn contacted the Freetown Board of Selectmen.
On Monday May 12, 2008, Mrs. Hooper and the League President again spoke about the issue. Mrs. Hooper was again offered the opportunity to speak with the Board of Directors either in an emergency meeting prior to the start of her son’s game the next day or via e-mail. She again declined and stated “my son will sit, I will bring him to the field and he will sit on the bench” Mrs. Hooper was informed that this was not part of the rule and her son did not have to sit on the bench. The decision was made by Mrs. Hooper, not the league, to have her son sit the bench.
Instead of meeting with the board and attempting to have the rule changed as she has indicated is all she wants, she choose to contact the local newspaper which led to this becoming a national news story on the very same day that eighteen teachers and faculty were laid off from their jobs in Freetown but which hasn’t received even a fraction of the same press.
The reports have stated that Mrs. Hooper signed a contract. She signed a registration form which indicates several key issues that the FYAA wants the parents to by aware of. One of which is that they understand their responsibilities for working our concession stand and the consequences if the obligation is not meet.
This registration was completed and signed by Mrs. Hooper back on October 2, 2007. Since that time, the league has sent out several mass emails to parents regarding upcoming events and responsibilities which included reminders about fundraising and concession stand duties. Parents were informed in those emails that if they were unable to attend their scheduled night that it was their responsibility to get a suitable replacement or swap nights with another parent.
While the news media has focused on the FYAA and our rule of punishing the players for the parent’s mistake. It is a fact that many leagues in this area and across this country have similar rules in place.
We appreciate the surprising support we’ve received from not only the parents in the association and people in the region but from people across the country.
Each and every month the FYAA holds its monthly meeting, we have and continue to invite anyone to attend, make suggestions, voice concerns and help run our league as volunteers are always in short supply. There are always plenty of seats available as typically there are only a handful of people in attendance.
Thank You
FYAA Board of Directors.
She signed a check to have her son play. That is all that should be required. I know the money the concessions stands bring in, they can hire some HS kid with no problem.
Mom has to earn a living. Ridiculous!
Mom has to earn a living. Ridiculous!
Whether she signed an agreement or not, how hard is it if you are sitting there at your son's game the night before she was supposed to handle the concession stand to get someone to cover for you the next nite---like as in "switching nites" ---is there and ulterior motive here?
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
Whether she signed an agreement or not, how hard is it if you are sitting there at your son's game the night before she was supposed to handle the concession stand to get someone to cover for you the next nite---like as in "switching nites" ---is there and ulterior motive here?
TR is right, seems the more you read and hear that this mom did have an "agenda". She had plenty of opportunity to take care of the situation prior to it happening.
As always, there are 2 sides to every story. I have been on both sides. I have served on a board and I have had to work on a concession night. It was never hard to find someone to switch days, or some kids brother to fill in for $5. It did take an effort, but usually very little. It takes co-operation for a league to be successful and it sounds like this mother was more interested in makeing a big deal than really solving a problem. I cannot sympathize with her as she hurt her child by not trying to work something out.
I wonder if she thought she could create a situation where she would get paid to go on talk shows to discuss what happened. The worst that happens is the person gets free round trip to NY or LA, lodging and per diem to appear. Sometimes they get 5-10K for the appearance.
Its the child that gets the focus of my concern here. It saddens me to think how all of this has effected him. He is innocent, yet stuck smack dab in the middle of an adult mess.
Reprocussions are inevitable.
Agree or disagree,...have all the facts or just a few,... the damage has been done one way or another.
Children should not have to live under the shadow of negativity.
.....sad.
Reprocussions are inevitable.
Agree or disagree,...have all the facts or just a few,... the damage has been done one way or another.
Children should not have to live under the shadow of negativity.
.....sad.
The mom is irresponsible in her handling of this situation, first by dereliction of duty and second by calling in media and congressmen.
Which is why I would not punish the kid.
This kid is his own person. He is not his mom. We all have heard or witnessed cases of child abuse or parents failing to properly feed or clothe their children. These kids are de facto being punished. While I'm not saying his mother is abusive I can safely bet she's having a negative influence on this kid.. I'm sure he'll hear about this for years.
The rules should be changed to punish the parent instead, such as requiring them to compensate the league in the form of cash or perhaps not allowing them to watch a few games. The kid? Let him play.
Which is why I would not punish the kid.
This kid is his own person. He is not his mom. We all have heard or witnessed cases of child abuse or parents failing to properly feed or clothe their children. These kids are de facto being punished. While I'm not saying his mother is abusive I can safely bet she's having a negative influence on this kid.. I'm sure he'll hear about this for years.
The rules should be changed to punish the parent instead, such as requiring them to compensate the league in the form of cash or perhaps not allowing them to watch a few games. The kid? Let him play.
quote:Originally posted by norstar:
She signed a check to have her son play. That is all that should be required. I know the money the concessions stands bring in, they can hire some HS kid with no problem.
Mom has to earn a living. Ridiculous!
Doesn't every parent of every player there have to make a living? She has no excuse for not doing her part - work, trade, or pay someone else to work it. She knew how to make such a fuss about the results of her actions, but didn't know how to handle the simple situation up front?
Again, I have no sympathy for momma. The little boy - shouldn't have sat on a bench. For him, I feel sad.
SSMom - Love those pics!
I agree mom is a jerk...
But, If the commitment of the league is to the children and the volunteers profess to working for the good of the kids then it should be for all the kids not just their children. Don't bench the child
LOVE the pictures
But, If the commitment of the league is to the children and the volunteers profess to working for the good of the kids then it should be for all the kids not just their children. Don't bench the child
LOVE the pictures
NJBB,
Would you have jumped in the stand to cover for her when she did not show up and miss your son's game?
If so, that is great.
If not, someone would have had to go in there and cover - where is that person coming from? And if 75% of the parents say I am not going to honor my committment to do the snack stand - then what?
I agree a lot of parents are in it for their kids only but a lot of parents are also in it for the right reasons.
I say get a $50.00 deposit from each parent before the season starts and if they don't fulfill their snack stand obligation, they forfeit the $50.00. If they have a conflict, work with other parents and switch. I have seen that same concept done with uniform returns and it works good.
Would you have jumped in the stand to cover for her when she did not show up and miss your son's game?
If so, that is great.
If not, someone would have had to go in there and cover - where is that person coming from? And if 75% of the parents say I am not going to honor my committment to do the snack stand - then what?
I agree a lot of parents are in it for their kids only but a lot of parents are also in it for the right reasons.
I say get a $50.00 deposit from each parent before the season starts and if they don't fulfill their snack stand obligation, they forfeit the $50.00. If they have a conflict, work with other parents and switch. I have seen that same concept done with uniform returns and it works good.
463
Yes I would and I have, Like most of us I worked the stands for little league etc. I know that there is usually just a small group of volunteers who do the work for everyone. But thats why the call us volunteers.
I agree that parents could be asked to pay a $50 deposit that would be returned if that parent works the stand.
But again, If someone said "little 7yr old will be sitting this game if someone doesn't go work the stand" I know a few parents who would pitch in.
There are times when coaches have to pick kids up drive them to and from games, buy them lunch cover fees. They do it for the kids Because sadly their parents won't
Yes I would and I have, Like most of us I worked the stands for little league etc. I know that there is usually just a small group of volunteers who do the work for everyone. But thats why the call us volunteers.
I agree that parents could be asked to pay a $50 deposit that would be returned if that parent works the stand.
But again, If someone said "little 7yr old will be sitting this game if someone doesn't go work the stand" I know a few parents who would pitch in.
There are times when coaches have to pick kids up drive them to and from games, buy them lunch cover fees. They do it for the kids Because sadly their parents won't