Rodeo Club Trouble[rant]

Alright so earlier this year, I went to high school rodeo state finals. My rodeo club was supposed to pay for the drive up[which was the whole reason why I joined it and worked in the concessions].

But the funny thing is, the secretary[a MOM which I might add >>], was supposed to leave the check at the local tack store.
I never got it. All of the other members going to state did, but I didn't.

So I called up the secretary, leaving a message. Later that night, I got a VERY nasty voicemail from the secretary, saying she left the check there yadayadaya and that the tack store had it.
So the next morning, I had my friend go to pick up the check from the tack store. It wasn't there.
I called the secretary again and she said that it was absolutely there.

I called the tack store and the tack store owner said that it wasn't there.

Finally my family and I gave up, and we went to state, paying for gas with our own money.

Several months later, after state and after I contacted my president, telling him of our predicament...


The secretary just yesterday got in contact with us and honestly bitched me out right before I ran my barrels, asking me all kinds of questions about the check. I ignored her, because I didn't want to get psyched out before my run. She got mad at me for ignoring her and went to my mom, complaining her out instead.

What I don't get is why it is so impossible to simply write us a new check. It disappeared, end of story. Make a new check. It's not like anyone could spend that check on anything anyway since it was addressed to me.

I also believe that a member should be a secretary, NOT a mom who doesn't even have a kid in the rodeo club!
I would even take it up even though I'm horrible at math.

I'm considering quitting the club. As I said before, I joined and worked to have my gas paid for since state is no where close to my home town.

Being in a club shouldn't be this frustrating. Thank you for listening to my trouble.

Actually having a member or a mom of a member be the secretary isn't a good idea.

You want someone who does not benefit monetarily (other than perhaps a small salary) to handle the financials to avoid possible embezzlement or conflict of interest.

I have seen clubs run perfectly fine by members such as FFA and 4-H which I have served offices for.

Besides, that doesn't matter in this situation.

Have you ever had a beef with her before?

All they would have to do is put a stop payment on the old check, and write you a new one. I agree with you, it shouldn't of been difficult.

Hopefully you get this resolved. I would hate to see you quit over this.

Can you please explain what "have a beef with her" means?

If you mean talk to her thoroughly about this, no. I'm terrified of conflict. However I may have to. I just don't want to be yelled at by an adult, because I may start shaking and crying. I have anxiety attacks when people yell at me. Even with my own parents...

Oh sorry, what I meant was if you have ever had any previous issues or problems with her.

What do your folks say about this? Have they contacted her?

(I understand about conflict and thin skin, thank goodness, for me, I got tougher as I got older :)

No, I haven't. In fact, I never really knew what she looked like until yesterday when she approached me. Maybe my parents had issues with her, but I haven't heard of anything.

And my mom has tried talking to her some but it's almost impossible. It'll have to be face to face.
There is a rodeo club meeting tonight but I really don't want to go because of the secretary... I know I'll be approached and things wont be pretty. My mother already said that she will not go. And my dad, well, he doesn't really care about my rodeoing. He only watches form time to time...

Have a beef = have a conflict.

Actually anyone can cash the check. They don't check signatures at the bank so if the back is stoned and you deposit it (deposit, not turn into direct cash in hand) they will not check ID nor do they match signatures (no way to do so). They CAN get caught by doing this but it's still a pain the butt. A stop payment on a check is not free, either. She may think you're trying to double your cash but she really needs to eat the fee and give you a new check. It's her fault for being irresponsible by leaving a check (I bet it fluttered behind or under something). She should have handed it directly or mailed it.

And as for conflict.. You should seek a therapist about it. You will run into conflict throughout your life and need to be able to handle it without falling apart.
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I agree with Delfina..There shouldn't be a member or family member of a member handling that position.. We had a mom that was our secretary, point keeper, and everything.. It got to the point that she was shaving time off of her daughter's times to let her win..She was also caught changing the placings, just like adding one extra point here and there to her daughter's points for the year so she would win high point champion. It was brought to light and the woman nor her daughter are allowed to even touch anything involving points or money of the club.. That along with other political drama in the club is exactly why my sister and I changed associations last year.

That said, I DO think FFA and 4H are a completely different ball park than a rodeo club.

I also want to throw this in. I forgot to mention it.

The secretary is in fact related to the members of the club. She is an aunt/cousin, so I believe she may be embezzled, as you put it.
I completely agree with you that someone completely unrelated should be handling the money, so that situations like this will not happen.