A Plea for Social Quarters Volunteers Members, as you know we are a volunteer-run organization. There is limited budget for hired staff at the Lodge which doesn’t include all the people we need to run an efficient Social Quarters and provide our members with food and beverages on a daily basis. We must rely heavily on members who volunteer as food runners, dish washers, and greeters (card checkers). With over 2,000 members one would think we’d have more than enough volunteers, but sadly that is not true. The same 30 – 40 people regularly volunteer, and rarely more than that. It’s far less than that who volunteer in the Social Quarters on a regular basis. Kudos to those who run food, wash dishes and check cards weekly, bi-weekly or monthly (you know who you are, and we are so grateful!). Every day the House Committee is tasked with finding at least 3 volunteers per night (busier nights require 4). Will you please consider being one of those volunteers? Will you sign up for shifts on a regular basis? It’s a lot of fun – and you get a complimentary meal and 1 free drink when your shift is over each time you volunteer! Shifts are for 4 hours, typically 4:30 – 8:30, other than Sunday brunch (10 - 1) and a bit later on Monday nights (9:00). Without a team of volunteers each night we can’t effectively serve our members. We won’t be able to extend kitchen hours when the weather gets better. We won’t be able to get your food brought to your table in a timely manner. We won’t be able to keep bar lines to a minimum if bartenders need to check membership cards. We won’t be able to expand our menu and continue offering daily specials from our kitchen staff. To volunteer, please email SQvolunteers@ballardelks.org with your available dates and times. Someone will get back to you quickly to confirm your shifts. PS – you also get a free volunteer t-shirt to wear too!! For those of you who will now step up and sign up – you have the thanks and gratitude of this entire Lodge. We simply can’t continue to operate Social Quarters without more volunteers. Thank you. Fraternally yours, The 827 House Committee