This isn't an administrative experience, but on Thursday February 18th I volunteered in the concession stand at Umatilla HS where the Big Sky district tournament was held.  I was in charge of the popcorn, and let me tell you it is crazy.  At first I thought this was a good job for me, my favorite snack at a basketball game is a popcorn and soda.  I actually rate all the venues in our league on the quality of their popcorn, so I kind of consider myself a popcorn connoisseur.  After doing this job I have a new appreciation for the person who runs the popcorn machine.  For one it is extremely hot next to that machine, and also you don't get gloves so I have all sorts of little burns on my hands and arms from reaching inside to fill the thing up.  I also learned that EVERYONE eats popcorn, and it is a battle to stay caught up with the crowd. 

In order to understand the chaos of running the popcorn machine, I think it is important to understand the process.  After the machine is all warmed up and running, you use a 1/4 cup of oil and you place it in the popper, followed by a cup of kernals and 1/4 tsp of flavor.  It takes only about 3-4 minutes to completely pop, then you empty the popper and start the process again.  Once you have a nice supply of popcorn you start to fill bags and stockpile for the busy times, usually in between games and halftime.  Once it starts selling it seems like for every bag you fill, you sell two bags, so then you have to keep on the popping so you can fill bags, and then keep filling bags because somebody just bought two, but you have to take a break from filling bags because you have to fill the popper, and then you fill more bags, but then you empty the popper, and fill it again. 

Now the problem with this popper was there was a little thing at the top of the popper that spins and it is connected to a metal thing that stirs the popcorn inside the popper, but the little spinny deal didn't work quite right, so when the popper was full the whole machine would shutter violently, so then you have to turn the agitator off to empty the popper, but turn it on again when you filled it again.  The other thing I learned from this experience, is the popcorn machine is quite gross.  I'm not sure the last time this thing was cleaned, my guess is the day it was bought.  This has led me to contemplate my choice of snack when I go to games.

Overall I'm glad I was able to help out, I can see why people don't volunteer very often. I would do it again, but maybe I can get candy hander-outer, or soda retriever.