Volunteer Spotlight: Lindsey Scott
Lindsey Scott
Owner at Lemonjello’s Coffee Holland, MI
Current Volunteer Role Barista Competition Judge at Big Western and Member of Competition Committee
How long have you been volunteering for the SCAA?
Since Jan 2013, so almost 2 years.
How has volunteering influenced your coffee career?
By the time I started volunteering, I had already attended a competition and a Barista Camp, so I was pretty familiar with the BGA and SCAA. However, when I started volunteering as a Barista Competition judge, I really found my coffee community. Spending time with peers and working toward a common goal is really exciting! I've made some great friends with similar passions and it keeps me motivated to be a better Barista. Also, as a shop owner, it gave me the confidence to become a better Barista Trainer.
All that said, the biggest way it's influenced my career was by introducing me to my passion: judging Barista Competitions! I've now judged many regionals and 2 USBCs. I've also joined the Competitions Committee, will be judging all the regionals and USBC this season, and I'm on my way to becoming a Head Judge. I guess you could say it influenced my career by becoming a sort of side career!
What was the first SCAA event you volunteered for an what were your duties? My first event was the Big Central Barista Competition in Kansas City in January of 2013. I volunteered as a Technical Judge. My duties included knowing the Rules and Regulations backward and forward, accurately recording the performance of the Baristas, and rewarding excellence!
What was your most memorable volunteering experience? Oh man, there are so many. Judging USBC is a big one. It's such an honor to be there for the Baristas. They work so hard, and it feels really great to reward a job well done! Being asked to join the Competitions Committee was also very exciting. I look forward to training up our new volunteers and introducing them to the fabulous world of judging!
Ready to get involved? Start by perusing the "Get Involved" pages and read more about all the opportunities available through the BGA.