DBHS Student Publication.

The Bull's Eye

DBHS Student Publication.

The Bull's Eye

DBHS Student Publication.

The Bull's Eye

Eye of the Editors: BINGO

The weekly volunteer jobs are demanding and uncomfortable for parents and the system needs to be reformed immediately.

BINGO. While the word may conjure up images of a child folk song or peaceful Sunday evenings in nursing homes to others, it holds a rather bitter and unpleasant meaning to students here at Diamond Bar High School—and rightfully so. Under the proposed mission statement of “raising funds to enhance and expand the Academic, social, Performing Arts and Athletic programs that are available to each individual student at DBHS,” Brahma Boosters’ Saturday Bingos in the gym has unfortunately established itself as a feared weekly tradition and an untouchable giant on campus.

For an exchange of $1,500 in funds, many organizations on campus have, without complaint in fear of upsetting the mighty Boosters, submitted parent volunteers to hours of labor in the gym. While treated with meager meals often consisted of chips and pizza, parent volunteers are expected to dedicate their weekend hours serving the visitors, who can be disrespectful and unkind.

With their emotions heightened and invested in their gambling, the players of Bingo are notorious for engendering a displeasing and unfriendly atmosphere for the parent volunteers. The gamblers often display impatience and rudeness toward the parents, who are more often than not completely new to their assignments. This is only worsened by the attitudes of some Booster associates, who sometimes treat the parent volunteers as if they were employed workers obligated to obey them submissively. This poor treatment of the volunteers, who choose to stay compliant under pure intentions of supporting their students’ organization, is nothing short of astonishing in a school environment. It is time to reevaluate the program’s horrid tradition of sacrificing parents to hours of disrespect and manual labor.

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The players of Bingo are predominantly English-speaking elderly residents. Truth be told, the volunteers at DBHS consist heavily of Asian parents whose English is their second language. This imbalance of demographics between the players and volunteers consistently provokes unpleasant friction in the game room. Granted, interaction between the parents and the players are kept at minimum. Regardless, the volunteers feel uncomfortable as they try to understand the players’ demands, whereas the players often display frustration for being unable to communicate their needs.

Any student who has served as a part of an on-campus, Bingo-participating organization at DBHS can truly attest to how distressing the system currently is. There is nothing more upsetting and stressful than having to ask their parents to willingly dedicate their time and physical effort while subjecting themselves to, for lack of a better word, condescension. It is safe to say that many advisers detest Bingos as well; having to constantly pressure the parents to meet the volunteer quota, and at times resorting to extreme means like offering extra credit, cannot be an enjoyable experience for anyone.

Although the current system is painfully flawed, it is illogical to demand the Brahma Boosters to cease its operations. After all, the organizations’ contribution of labor is, admittedly, the most important factor in making the ever-lucrative Bingos happen. However, the Boosters must realize that it is extremely difficult for small-sized groups to contribute the needed number of volunteers from their smaller pool of active parents. Some students, in a justified attempt to save their parents from the notoriously unpleasant experience of working for Bingo, opt to solicit paid help. According to sources, the going rate for a 6-to-7 hour shift at Bingo is around $50 to $100. This ongoing black market for Bingo volunteers, which is rather prevalent among DB students, gathers people of all backgrounds who are looking for a job, whether they be college dropout neighbors or complete strangers met online. Brahma Boosters are well-aware of this dangerous system of hiring outsiders, and they must take action to stop it immediately.

Of course, students and parents must acknowledge, if they do not already, the tremendous support Brahma Boosters offer to organizations in need. In the sincerest way possible, Brahma Boosters’ commitment to fostering the financial welfare of the school is quite praiseworthy. Since the inaugural year of the school, the faithful members of Brahma Boosters have donated their invaluable volunteer time, school spirit, and expertise to organize and facilitate the weekly Bingo events. However, this does not change the fact that the system is far from perfect. It is in desperate need of a drastic change.

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  • S

    Sally
    Jun 7, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    I agree with this article. I just volunteered for 6 hours at South Pasadena High School, and it was not pleasant.

    In addition to disrespect by customers, I was scolded by two women volunteers who headed up the volunteer group, for not knowing what to do on my first experience.

    I was REALLY uncomfortable with what seemed to be our fueling an addiction by poor people who can little afford it. A regressive tax, indeed.

    I understand this bingo program gives $60 credit for my participation last night – minimum wage. I’d rather donate $60 to the school the be treated like a disobedient child.