Venefica
'lo all...been awhile since I've posted...but in a pinch now..a bit of perspective please...
The owner of a meta store (not a close friend, but a casual acquaintence) asked me to read the cards at a psychic fair she is having in the parking lot behind her store. She asked me to read in passing at an Expo we were both attending back in April.
It's a volunteer gig w/the proceeds going to an animal rescue/shelter. I said "yes" assuming (should never do that) it would be like other charity gigs I've volunteered for...a couple hours...quickie readings....someone else takes care of taking the money....I get a little food or $ for my time/service.
Noooooo. I talked to her last night...she wants me to bring baked goods, tables, chairs, bring a lunch, bring water ('cause it's gonna be hot)...oh, and do I have a tent, or know anybody with a tent?
It's this Saturday, and she has seemingly nothing planned. She warned me that she's going to be a cranky basketcase the whole time because it's going to be utter chaos - and I'm thinking - "lady...you've had since April to plan for this what have you been doing?"
She then made a comment about the fair making her (people from the fair buying stuff in her shop) more money last year than she makes in a whole week - and the tone made me wonder if this is for a charity, or is it about making money for her store? I'm a business owner too, and know PR the value of a good charity event - but something about her tone just made me uneasy.
The fair is supposed to be from 12:00-4:00...but she tells me "get here at 10 because you'll need to help set up...oh, and be prepared to stay until 6 or 7 because the readings will probably go over, and we'll need help cleaning up."
I asked her if she had any volunteers - or if the animal shelter would help her, considering she's holding the charity for them - she said she hadn't heard from anybody. Hmmmm.
SOOOOO - the more she talked about this - the more the pit of my stomach started to turn like a seasick worm. Now I'm trying to think of a way to back out. When I accepted I had no idea I'd be a part of the third level of disorganizational hell (I don't deal well with disorder).
Further - I just don't have the time or energy to devote to pulling off someone else's project. I feel this was her responsibility - not mine. I'm there to provide a service for a cause - not be a hand-on-deck.
Furthermore, she's got 9 volunteers to read - 4 of those are Tarot readers! I'm thinking she doesn't really need one more Tarot reader - unless she's hedging her bets that others will back out at the last minute.
My conscience is twitchy - I hate backing out - but on the other hand - I really feel like I'm being taken advantage of here.
I'm thinking about making a donation to the shelter and excusing myself & my services from the event.
Does anyone have any other ideas? Any suggestions would be appreciated
The owner of a meta store (not a close friend, but a casual acquaintence) asked me to read the cards at a psychic fair she is having in the parking lot behind her store. She asked me to read in passing at an Expo we were both attending back in April.
It's a volunteer gig w/the proceeds going to an animal rescue/shelter. I said "yes" assuming (should never do that) it would be like other charity gigs I've volunteered for...a couple hours...quickie readings....someone else takes care of taking the money....I get a little food or $ for my time/service.
Noooooo. I talked to her last night...she wants me to bring baked goods, tables, chairs, bring a lunch, bring water ('cause it's gonna be hot)...oh, and do I have a tent, or know anybody with a tent?
It's this Saturday, and she has seemingly nothing planned. She warned me that she's going to be a cranky basketcase the whole time because it's going to be utter chaos - and I'm thinking - "lady...you've had since April to plan for this what have you been doing?"
She then made a comment about the fair making her (people from the fair buying stuff in her shop) more money last year than she makes in a whole week - and the tone made me wonder if this is for a charity, or is it about making money for her store? I'm a business owner too, and know PR the value of a good charity event - but something about her tone just made me uneasy.
The fair is supposed to be from 12:00-4:00...but she tells me "get here at 10 because you'll need to help set up...oh, and be prepared to stay until 6 or 7 because the readings will probably go over, and we'll need help cleaning up."
I asked her if she had any volunteers - or if the animal shelter would help her, considering she's holding the charity for them - she said she hadn't heard from anybody. Hmmmm.
SOOOOO - the more she talked about this - the more the pit of my stomach started to turn like a seasick worm. Now I'm trying to think of a way to back out. When I accepted I had no idea I'd be a part of the third level of disorganizational hell (I don't deal well with disorder).
Further - I just don't have the time or energy to devote to pulling off someone else's project. I feel this was her responsibility - not mine. I'm there to provide a service for a cause - not be a hand-on-deck.
Furthermore, she's got 9 volunteers to read - 4 of those are Tarot readers! I'm thinking she doesn't really need one more Tarot reader - unless she's hedging her bets that others will back out at the last minute.
My conscience is twitchy - I hate backing out - but on the other hand - I really feel like I'm being taken advantage of here.
I'm thinking about making a donation to the shelter and excusing myself & my services from the event.
Does anyone have any other ideas? Any suggestions would be appreciated