In our lifetimes we will wear many hats in our personal and work lives. 

If I were to name all the hats I have worn or do currently wear, people would wonder what is wrong with me. 

However, with all of the hats I wear, it all comes down to what I represent when I am out in the public eye.

A few years ago our city council and I had a discussion about conduct outside of work.

If employees are not "punched in," are they still viewed as representing the city?

I have always had the policy with my staff and myself that we need to be careful about what we do on the other side of the bar when we are not punched in. 

The customers you are socializing with one night, may be the ones you serve on your next shift. 

Also customers may know you are not working but yet they still view you as an employee. 

If staff cannot conduct themselves in the right manner when punched in or not, it reflects poorly on your facility. 

Do I drink at my facility, but very rarely. 

At the end of the day all I want to do is go home. 

Each day on my way out the door, I stop and chat with customers. 

But I can count on 1 hand in the last 6 years the times I actually stayed to have a beer with them.

After my conversation with the city council, I started observing other people and how they represent their businesses and cities. 

I noticed some people conduct themselves professionally and still can have a good time. 

However, I noticed a few who are loud and boisterous and then I wonder what their city officials would say if they would see them act like that. 

I know if it would ever get back to my city council on the way I conduct myself in public was less than satisfactory, I would be embarrassed, and my council would be very upset and disappointed with me.

Cheers!

Karissa Kurth

Buffalo Lake 

For purposes of this chapter, any gratuity received by an employee or deposited in or about a place of business for personal services rendered by an employee is the sole property of the employee. 

No employer may require an employee to contribute or share a gratuity received by the employee with the employer or other employees or to contribute any or all of the gratuity to a fund or pool operated for the benefit of the employer or employees. 

This section does not prevent an employee from voluntarily sharing gratuities with other employees. 

The agreement to share gratuities must be made by the employees without employer coercion or participation, except that an employer may:

(1) upon the request of employees, safeguard gratuities to be shared by employees and disburse shared gratuities to employees participating in the agreement;

(2) report the amounts received as required for tax purposes; and

(3) post a copy of this section for the information of employees.

The commissioner may require the employer to pay restitution in the amount of the gratuities diverted. 

If the records maintained by the employer do not provide sufficient information to determine the exact amount of gratuities diverted, the commissioner may make a determination of gratuities diverted based on available evidence and mediate a settlement with the employer.

By Post Review 

The weather wasn't stellar for the 2nd Annual Good Karma Rescue Ride at the Stacy Sports Grill June 7, but there were plenty of people who showed up to support the cause, nonetheless.  

Dedicated riders braved the rain and the cold and pulled off another very successful event. 

Some local Stacy riders even showed up to pay the registration fee, with no intention of riding in the rain, simply to show their support.

Good Karma is a small, foster based rescue in the Twin Cities that seeks to improve the lives of animals in high-risk situations by providing them with safe harbor and matching them with families.

(Editor's Note: Congratulations to the Stacy Sports Grill who was recently voted Reader's Choice for Best Bar by ECM Post Review readers.) 

As the good weather springs upon us, many will use this opportunity to fundraise for a good cause. 

One of the more popular fundraising efforts is called a "Poker Run."

Poker Runs usually involve large groups on motorcycles or other motorized vehicles where an entry fee is required to participate.  

The participants travel to a number of locations, usually bars, collecting a single playing card at each establishment. 

At the end of the run, the player(s) with the best hand wins a prize.

Traditional "Poker runs" are illegal because it's gambling.

Gambling involves three elements that all must be present:

1. Consideration - it must cost to play.
2. Chance -the game must be based predominately on chance. 
3. Prize - the player must be able to obtain something worth value if he or she wins.

Consequences

• If an establishment knowingly participates or allows a poker run, the bar can face fines or in extreme cases, lose its license.

• Participating individuals can also face potential charges or fines.

Fundraising Legally

• Poker Runs are illegal if conducted at a licensed liquor establishment but can take place at locations like parks or individual homes as long as prizes are not awarded.

• A legal alternative at a liquor establishment would be a roving dart tournament where a participant throws a dart at each location and the person who throws the best score wins a prize at the last stop. Games of skill, like darts, are legal.

• An individual can donate money to the cause and participate just for fun. No prizes can be awarded.

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