I need to rant... so please feel free to keep scrolling. LOL.
One of my coworkers asked if he and his wife could chaperone our youth leadership camp. I was thrilled they were interested, and I made sure that they were given two of the seats on our very full bus. I gave them the dates last summer, and they confirmed in early fall. Since that time, I've done a ton of planning... we have a private Facebook group for the parents of the kids and their sponsoring co-ops, we have a GroupMe for everyone going on the trip, we've had TWO virtual overviews... one for the families, and one for just the chaperones, and I have a daily count-down email for the past two weeks leading up to camp. In addition, everyone was sent the digital program for review that includes the full schedule. AND I mailed a laminated, glossy, large mailer to every household with our abbreviated itinerary and the bus schedule of where everyone told me that they were getting on the bus. Finally, I give all of the camp leadership matching shirts, with a schedule of which shirt should be worn on which date. They've had their shirts for the past month.
So... at our staff meeting on Monday, our CEO announced that this coworker was attending a fun "Bourbon" trip (fundraiser for our local PAC) with him to Kentucky. I immediately pointed out that he was already committed to be on the bus with me on Friday (tomorrow). So I called him and he confirmed that he was flying separately from the group and would, indeed, be on the bus.
YESTERDAY... less than 48 hours before we leave... his wife emails me that they had "a slight mix up" and now will not be able to meet the bus on Friday. So now they are planning on driving their own vehicle and will meet us at the camp on Saturday. That leaves me short TWO chaperones. My coworker was the only male, so now I will have to do bed checks at the Denver hotel with only myself and two other female chaperones for 50 kids. We've already pre-paid for their hotel room, meals, and iFLY activity. So now, even if they do drive to meet us, that means that they'll have to drive back. So again, I will not have the chaperone support on the bus for the ride home. They will also miss getting to know the kids and learning about their roles (a discussion planned for when we were on the bus). I. AM. LIVID.
I've already looped in my CEO and he's offered to send another one of our male employees to drive all the way to Denver to help with bed checks, and then drive all the way back home the following day. I could hardly sleep last night I was so upset at yet another coworker who could not be counted on. The thing is, we will still need him and his wife AT camp and during the week. I need to communicate with my CEO that any additional expenses incurred for their vehicle, fuel, and food is out their own pocket and will not be charged to camp. I think that he should also pay for our other co-workers' expense for covering for him.
Seriously. What would you all do in this situation? I think it's absolutely inexcusable. His wife's email said that they had it in their heads that the trip started on Saturday instead of Friday, and that all their childcare is also scheduled to start over the weekend. I claim BS!! AAARRRGGGHH!!!!
Thank you. Rant over.
