Early is OK

It’s quiet here in the early mornings. Gena is on holiday, and while she’s gone, I’m on morning baking duty.

Other than the “having to get up at 5am” part, it’s actually nice to be in so early and alone. It gives me a chance to see everything it really takes to get this place operational each day.

It is at once overwhelming, amazing and inspiring. Yesterday, for instance, by 7:30, while scones and cookies were baking in the oven. I took the chairs off the tops of the tables out front, brought in the paper, set the soup out, and checked the sugar, cream, and spoons at the self-serve coffee station.

By 8am, a wonderful team of volunteers, 5 to be exact, and Darcy (one of our AmeriCorps team) arrived on the scene. Each set about putting the rest of the Coffeehouse Bookstore together.

Two volunteers checked in a delivery and put everything away in its proper place. One set up the espresso machine, checked to make sure the shots were pulling correctly, and stocked the fridge with fresh milk and cream. Another put out the baked goods as they were ready, while yet another set up the back for dishwashing. And the other set up the cash register and started the prep work for our quesadillas and salads.

Within 30 minutes, everything was up and ready for business and the volunteer team was asking, “what can we do next?”

By mid morning, as customers were served, all of the baseboards and cabinet faces were scrubbed, the books in the front were straightened, storage shelves in the back were cleaned and organized, and new signs were designed, printed and put out to highlight various programs and opportunities.

It’s easy to miss all of this if you’re not here at 7am…this unfolding of the day.

It takes 250 volunteer hours each week to make all of this happen…to keep the Commons Coffeehouse Bookstore working in service with our community. And the fact that people are willing to come in for several hours a week, work hard, and have fun while they are doing it is testament to the mission of the Commons. We (that includes YOU, otherwise there is no WE!) strengthen our community by creating opportunities to gather, learn and grow.

While we do this, volunteers learn how to engage with people they might not know yet. They learn how to more seamlessly interact with people of all ages. They learn how to make great espresso and provide good customer service. And they learn what it takes to run a business.

What I’ve seen this week, by coming in to participate in the unfolding of the day, is that our volunteers not only make The Commons possible, but they also become better customers who understand the challenges of our local businesses, and they become more solid candidates for jobs with those local businesses. But until the time is right and those jobs become available, they are happy to be here, learning in concert with the people who support The Commons by purchasing espresso, scones, tea, salads and more.

Don’t quote me, but I think I’m going to miss this early morning shift.

Judy
Communications & Programs Coordinator
South Whidbey Commons