Posted by: Bill Lewis
Another "What would you do ?" - 01/23/18 07:29 AM
I belong to the Bluffton Mens Club made up of mostly retired professionals. For a yearly fee ( and a fact for later is they have about 4K surplus in the treasury ) we meet once a month for dinner and a speaker. We also have special events like a Fish Fry and an Oyster Roast and an annual Xmas "Party" at an upscale restaurant. I put party in quotes because to me its just not a party. I haven't attended the Xmas party because they have no entertainment and its just sounds like a boring night.
A few months before the "party" the subject of entertainment came up and the name of a former member who used to play it for free was mentioned. I cringed because I knew they had now been led to believe entertainment shoud be free. The discussion ended with the guy in charge of the party said "some people complained about music because they want to talk " UGGGH !!!
So this free guy couldn't play softly thru dinner ???
Well they had the party and at this months meeting congrats were given to the organizer but then the President of the club said "I think we need some entertainment next time" AKA---- it WAS boring
Same answer given but this time the organized said we'll look into it.
Still with me ? Now my anticipated problem.
Some the members know I perform and some have even seen me at jobs. I'm afraid my name will be mentioned and all eyes will be on me for an answer if asked to play. Now its not about the money but I just have a thing about people demeaning our craft and expecting it for free. I have done a number of free events for local charities here but this club in not a Charity. They are very welll off, sort of like a Country Club without golf.
When new members join and ask what do we do the answer is "Nothing LOL "
How do I answer such a request if it should come up ???
I could use the old "hire a plumber for the night and I'll do it for half that" but I just don't want to come off as sarcastic.
A few months before the "party" the subject of entertainment came up and the name of a former member who used to play it for free was mentioned. I cringed because I knew they had now been led to believe entertainment shoud be free. The discussion ended with the guy in charge of the party said "some people complained about music because they want to talk " UGGGH !!!
So this free guy couldn't play softly thru dinner ???
Well they had the party and at this months meeting congrats were given to the organizer but then the President of the club said "I think we need some entertainment next time" AKA---- it WAS boring
Same answer given but this time the organized said we'll look into it.
Still with me ? Now my anticipated problem.
Some the members know I perform and some have even seen me at jobs. I'm afraid my name will be mentioned and all eyes will be on me for an answer if asked to play. Now its not about the money but I just have a thing about people demeaning our craft and expecting it for free. I have done a number of free events for local charities here but this club in not a Charity. They are very welll off, sort of like a Country Club without golf.
When new members join and ask what do we do the answer is "Nothing LOL "
How do I answer such a request if it should come up ???
I could use the old "hire a plumber for the night and I'll do it for half that" but I just don't want to come off as sarcastic.