LOYALTY
Where does your ‘LOYALTY’ lie?
I used to frequent a great little family restaurant that had the greatest tasting, and most economical, menu. Their specialty on Tuesdays was veal parmesan with a spaghetti side. The dinner included salad, dessert, and beverage. It was a wonderful dining experience.
Like so many things in life, CHANGE happens. Other restaurants opened in the area; people who had patronized the eatery, now looked for something different; the state of the economy shifted and people went out for dinner less often; along with others, I moved to a different neighborhood.
A year or so after I had moved away I found myself back in my old neighborhood, and it happened to be Tuesday. My mouth salivated as I drove my car in the direction of my favorite old haunt. To my shock, the windows were boarded up and a large sign read, “Out Of Business”. I felt was as if an old friend had died.
I’ve never been able to find the same exact taste of that spaghetti sauce and their veal cutlet. Today most restaurants only serve veal patties and, in my opinion, that is nothing at all like the ‘real thing’.
There are about 100+ scrabble directors across America. I am a bit more ambitious than most, directing 3 weekly scrabble clubs sessions (Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday) in Orange County, California. I’ve been doing it for several years. Each session plays 4 games and lasts about 4 hours. The modest $5 fee is less than the cost of a night at the movies. The fee pays my driving expenses, score sheets provided, category prizes, computer time to write up and report stats, and promotion. (I arrive early, am the last one to leave, and do the set up and break down at some locations.)
I have learned that the one thing necessary to be successful is LOYALTY. I show up at every club session whether there are 15 players or 2 players, and my costs of operation stay the same.
Some people have told me that I’m crazy for doing what I do. ‘ THEY’ just don’t get it. It has never been about money. It’s about the love of the game of scrabble and being an instrument to help it thrive in my neighborhood.
But like my favorite restaurant, my clubs rely on the loyalty of others to insure their continuity. How much longer can I keep on keeping on?
Loyalty Begets Loyalty. Play scrabble at Club #350 and The 1st Sunday Tournaments.
Support your local scrabble clubs and tournaments. Join the NASPA.