Dissatisfaction Brewing About Ommegang's Handling of Volunteers

By MONICA CALZOLARICOOPERSTOWN

Several local charitable organizations have expressed disappointment regarding Brewery Ommegang’s handling of volunteers this year.

According to Stacie Haynes, executive director of the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the SQSPCA and other not-for-profits depend on fundraising and donations to accomplish their missions. Haynes explained that being asked by Ommegang officials to help pour beer at their summer concerts has been a great opportunity to raise money for the shelter and have fun while helping a local business. Other not-for-profit organizations were also invited to help, in return for tips.

In 2023, Ommegang invited Cooperstown Rotarians to help pour beer at one of its concerts.

“We saw it as a public service. We received $2,008.00 and some cents in 2023,” said Bill Waller, Rotary Club of Cooperstown president. So, this summer, when Ommegang asked the Rotary Club to help check IDs for the Cake concert on June 22, the Rotarians gladly agreed. Checking IDs means asking to see a person’s driver’s license and putting an arm band on them to indicate whether they are of drinking age. About 25 Rotarians volunteered at the Cake concert.

The verbal agreement between the Rotary Club of Cooperstown secretary and Ommegang was that Rotary would split the tips with the volunteers from Friends of the Feral 50/50 that night. But that is not what happened.