GAME DAY DUTY LIST

*What do I need to do?* Based on which squad your son will be playing on such as Varsity, JV or Freshman, please look over the current Game Day Duty list and select the events that your family would like to commit to working. (note: under the title of each event there is a notation saying which squads should be covering. Example: NG 7 on 7 event is open to ALL workers, National Event 1st Game is Senior & Junior parents, Friday night Varsity games are open for all JV and Freshman families to work, etc.) You can e-mail or call MaryLynn Flanigan with your choices up until the team camp in mid-July. After that, any families who have not made their choices will be assigned events to work. The sophomore and junior classes may also make their selections on their grade level Qlubb sites. *Frequently Asked Questions about Game Day Duty*

1	How many games will we have to work this season?
Answer: The number of games that each family will need to work is based on the total number of home games or home events and the number of players on the team. In the past, the Bulldogs have advanced to the 3rd round of State Playoffs five out of the last six years earning more home field advantage games than in the history of the school. We also host the preseason National Football Challenge and several other major events including the NG 7on7 National Qualifier. Since the freshman and JV teams work the varsity games, each family will be required to work at least Four (4) games. There are only seven Freshman/JV games on Thursdays for the varsity families to cover so they will only work Three (3) games.
2	What are some of the Game Day Duties that we will have to do?
Answer: Most of the workers will be assigned to either the Home or Visitors Concession stand where typical duties include: taking orders at the window, get soft drinks/water, make french fries, make popcorn, make nachos/chili, handle money, etc. With each event there are additional duties that are specific to that event: Examples inlcude running the clock at the 7on7, working the entrance gates and accepting donations at the Red & Black Scrimmage games, helping at children's activities such as Crazy Hair and Face Painting, scoring & spotting at the Lift-A-Thon, etc. New this year, we have a vendor who will handle the Inflatable Games so no parent workers will be needed in that area at this time.
3	How long is the shift?
Answer: Most shifts are four hours long. During the National Football Challenge, the shifts run a little longer to ensure good coverage and transition between games. For a typical Friday night Varsity game, workers are expected to arrive between 6:00 - 6:20 pm and will stay until the end of the game and after clean up has been completed. For the JV/Freshman home games on Thursday, the shift is from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm with kick-off at 6:00 pm.
4	Who can work the shift?
Answer: Any parent, player or teen that is age 14 or older may work the shift. Since this is a foodservice area, state law does not allow anyone under the age of 14 in the concession area. For the first time, parents may "Opt Out" of duty by paying $100 before the season begins so that teens can be hired to work in their place. Many parents have their player son work the shift since it does not interfere with their game time. Siblings who are old enough can also work the shift for their family. A few families will sign up two to three members to work one game all together and complete their duty for the season which is a great idea!
5	What if I have young children, can I bring them with me?
Answer: NO! They are not allowed in the concession area due to the state law and you are here to work the shift. There are several options such as setting up a babysitter, having your player son work the shift, or hiring someone else to work the shift for you. But no matter what, you cannot bring and watch your younger children while working game day duty. This is also for their safety since we typically have huge crowds of 6,000-8,000 people attending each varsity game and you would not be able to supervise them properly while also working.
5	I heard that some people are exempt from working, is that true?
Answer: Nobody is exempt from helping our team have smooth operations during all games. The coaches and players work so hard to ensure success on the field that we must all do our parts to ensure successful logistics of the games. We have many people who have committed to working every single home game either handling the parking lot, serving as Sideline Crew members, field and game prep, or selling spirit wear. The rest of the families will all work Game Day Duty as described here.
6	Can I pay a teen to work our shift?
Answer: Absolutely! Before the season begins up until July 15, families will be allowed to "Opt Out" by paying $100 to allow us to hire teens to work in your place. After July 15th the fee goes up to $40 per shift. If you are able to work some of your game duty dates but need a teen to cover just one, then please talk with the Game Day Duty Director. If she has any teens available still for hire, she can help you get one setup. But if all of the teens on her list are already committed, then you will need to either find a teen on your own or find another family that is willing to just switch dates. Throughout the season, all families will be able to hire teens on their own to work the shift as long as you let the Game Day Duty Director know who is covering your duty. Most teens are paid $30 - $40 per shift.
7	How will we know what games we have to work?
Answer: Before the season begins, at every Touchdown Club meeting, families will have the opportunity to select which dates they prefer to work. You can also send your written requests at anytime to MaryLynn Flanigan at marylynnflanigan@aol.com. In mid-July, any family who has not made their selection will be assigned dates to work. Nearly every family will need to help during the National Football Challenge since it will take over 120 workers for just that two game event. The last week of July, e-mail notices will be sent directly to each family with their specific game day duty dates. Notes will also be sent home with the players and the schedules will be posted on the team website for everyone to be able to check.
8	What happens if we have a sudden family emergency the week of the game?
Answer: Call or send a text message to the Game Day Duty Director and copy your grade level rep if you are going to be late or unable to make it for your duty. Ideally, you will be able to provide a week's notice and find another family to cover or switch duty dates with you. (example: everyone in your house gets the flu that week - just switch dates with another family and let us know.) Some people have sent a text on Friday saying they will be 30 minutes late due to work obligations and that allows us to adjust coverage and assignments so that when they arrive there us very little disruption. This is a polite and considerate way to handle it. Unfortunately, there have also been some emergencies due to a sudden death in the family. Our hearts go out to these families and I am very glad that they drop me an e-mail or call just to let me know what is going on. Of course, they are excused and once they return, they select a make-up date to work. Remember, those that just don't show up cause hardship on the friends and families who are there working.
9	What about the ticket sales? Do we have to work the ticket booth?
Answer: Since all ticket sales go directly to the school to help buy books and technology for all students, the school will staff the ticket sales booths for all home games. The only exception will be for the National Football Challenge in which we will have a person assisting the school staff at each gate to check-in special guest and those with reserved tickets.
10	What happens to those families who don't show up and are not excused due to a family emergency?
Answer: After each game, a report is prepared and sent to the Touchdown Club Executive Board and the Coaches to let them know how everything went. The report states who worked and who did not as well as any other news from the game. There is follow up by the Game Day Duty Director and/or the Grade Level Rep to find out why a family was not there for their duty and to reschedule them. There are also notations made on the schedule that is posted online. We highlight those who worked even though they were not scheduled because they care about the team. For repeat offenders, the coach will call the player into the office for a chat and will help schedule that player to work the shifts.
11	What should I do if I observe someone stealing?
Answer: Let the person in charge of the area know whether it's the concession stand, cotton candy, or spirit wear area. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and there is no place on our team for a theft. Each situation will be handled based on the specific circumstances but again the Touchdown Club Executive Board and the Coaches will be notified as well as the local law enforcement if necessary. We have a team of law enforcement officers at every game.
12	What are the expectations of a worker?
Answer: Do your best to represent our team and community in a good manner. Smile and greet all of our guest who have come to the game whether they are Bulldog fans or the opposing team. We want to make the game experience enjoyable for all who attend. Not only does this reflect well on us as a school and community but keep in mind that each game ticket purchased goes to help all of our students. The money raised in the concession stand is what helps to reduce the activity fees so the more we make there, the less you will need to pay in the future.

Go Bulldogs!

To download the current 2010 duty list CLICK HERE.