This may still be February, but May and Memorial Day come sooner than you think. Now is when the Fire Department and community volunteers start the work and planning to pull off the massive fundraiser at the end of May.
February 7th was the initial planning meeting for this year's affair. Old and new committee chairs, as well as Muir Beachers interested in taking a more active part, came together to review jobs, discuss improvements, and assign responsibilities.
It began in January with calls and e-mails to everyone who led a committee last year. Notes from last year were reviewed and revisions made to describe the committee procedures. This becomes the Barbecue Manual, an ever-changing document that describes each job necessary for a successful barbecue.
For example, Kathy Sward writes in detail about her responsibilities for the shirt booth. It's a complex job starting with an inventory just after the Christmas Fair. Kathy recruits staff to help in selecting new items and colors, ordering, pricing and hauling merchandise to the barbecue grounds and setting up the booth. Sales day is hectic and then it's time for packing up and inventory. Kathy's write-up details names of venders and supplies and becomes part of the Manual in case there is ever a time when she cannot do the job and we need to recruit a new volunteer.
As usual, not all committee chair positions were filled at the beginning of the well-attended February meeting and potluck. The President of the Muir Beach Volunteer Fireman's Board, Michael Kaufman, asked if anyone would take over the Beans and Bread job, and quickly Aran Collier and Peter Lambert volunteered. Kathy Sward asked for help with selecting and ordering new stock. New resident Laura Van Amburgh immediately raised her hand. Laura had already agreed to take over supervising food for the four Saturday work parties. Laurie and David Piel will take over Raffle duties the day of the barbecue. Bob Hayden and Scott Sampson will be doing the Supplies job that Rob usually handles with Bob's help.
Coming next are the Saturday workdays to clean up the Barbecue site and prepare the structures for the big day. Each Saturday in May—the 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd—many volunteers are needed to do clean up, yard work, repair structures, and more. YOU are needed from 10 am until 4 pm, or any portion of that time. You'll get coffee in the morning, and a hearty lunch to keep your strength up. Come for an hour or two or come for all day. Either way you'll be meeting new neighbors and supporting our Volunteer Fire Department.
At about the same time, committee chairs will be calling around for volunteers. You can help by calling yourself to volunteer. Send calls and e-mails to me, Anne Jeschke, at 388-2278 and ajeschke@aol.com. We can find the perfect job for you!
