[SJAAboard] My take on the auction

[Gary Mitchell]

Rob Hawley wrote:


> When I returned from my trip my inbox was full of comments concerning the
> stress that Gary was under.  From what I observed, things mostly ran
> smoothly so I am not sure why Gary was as stressed as he was.

I've noticed that ever since I've been treasurer, no one understands
the treasurer being under pressure, but they do understand the
computer operator being under pressure.  I don't know why.

Things running smoothly, and the treasurer being under stress are
two completely different quantities--unless the latter reaches
the breaking point, then the former will change suddenly and
catastrophically.


> I certainly did not feel stressed this year.  In fact, I was idle most of
> the time before and after the auction.

That's because you get to be isolated during the check-in phase
when you're the busiest.  And even then, you don't have much
pressure to work faster, just so long as everything gets entered
before the auction starts... And the auction doesn't start until
you say so.

I'm busy then too, but not bad.  I'm easily able to keep up and
the stress is moderate.

During the check-OUT phase things ease up for you, all you have
to do is type in one number and sit there while the receipt
prints out, then to the next person.  It's quick and easy.

But for me, that's crunch time!  I've got the buyers and sellers
coming at me at the speed you print out the receipts.  Some are
paying (counting money, making change), some need me to write a
check.  Typically I'm processing two and three transactions at
the same time!  And there are ALWAYS exceptions or correction.
I never cease to be amazed at the creativity people have for
exceptions.  And on my left people are showing up with questions
or problems or donations or memberships... you name it.  It's
the end of the auction after all and most are trying to finish
up and leave.  Then after a while, the swap sellers start showing
up with questions and swap sale payments.  And while all this is
going on, I'm trying to accurately keep track of the money (what
it's for, where it came from) so I can do the accounting later.

There have been times when I've started writing checks to people
who owe *us* money.  There could be a war going on outside the
building and I wouldn't know it.  This is why I snapped at
Robert for handing merchandise to people over my head (literally)
or on top of the paper work I was dealing with at that time.

I've got some ideas for improvements, but a few might be hard
to implement.

Gary