#52 Stories--Story # 8

In what ways do you sacrifice your time to volunteer in your community? 

 

Most recently, I have taken a bit of a respite.  But this year I hosted a neighborhood cottage meeting to offer information regarding a proposition that was on the ballot this past week.  Prop 3 was poorly written and not responsible in the ways it demanded funding for road repair and upkeep. It would have cut funding--and essentially the availability of other city services including the library, pool, senior center, and Strawberry Days to name a few--to fund 20% of the general city budget directly and solely to roads.

 

I did spend 18 years as a volunteer at the kids' school with the PTA locally.  I served as everything from a room mother to a carnival helper, to a book fair volunteer walking classes & kids up and back from the fair, to PTA president at each of the schools the kids attended--elementary, junior high and high school--to council president to the region board as a member representing our council. 

I served as a the PTA rep on the School Community Council s at the Junior high and high school, and at the elementary as a SCC member.  I served on a district level community committee about the Space Center. I sat on a text book selection committee at the Junior High.

 

In the community generally, I served for three years as a photographer for the Strawberry Days committee, where I attended EVERY event the week of Strawberry Days to record the events on film, and then used those photos for publicity for the following year.

 

I also served as a Swim Team mom for the summer Rec Team in the city.  I mostly served as a the "Bull Pen" wrangler where we lined up the kids in the heats and lanes they were assigned  and then kept them entertained while they had to sit and wait.

 

And there was a season where I sat on a community committee regarding our Public Safety Building proposal.  That was a steep learning curve, but I sure appreciated all the tthe city management and safety personnel did with what they had in place.  I am glad that two ballots later we finally passed a bond to fund a new PSB.

 

Community volunteerism is exhausting but super interesting as well.  I have met wonderful people as I served--especially in PTA. I don't miss the hours I spent doing community service, but I do miss the friends I made in each branch of the community.  It was total worth the effort and stress and worry.

Community Service

After serving in PTA locally for about 15 years, I figured this was my last year of doing that kind of service for my community.  I doubled dipped a few years with Strawberry Days volunteering too.  But this week I start a new community service chapter in my life.

I was asked to sit on a citizens' committee regarding our Public Safety Building that is proposed for our town.  It was on our local municipal ballot last year, but the rush to get it a bond for the building on the ballot that quickly had some people imagining there was some nefarious business going on and their suspicions spread like wild fire and the bond issue was voted down--along with our mayor and a few others on the city council.

This committee will meet with the consulting architects and the police and fire department heads and then consider the costs, locations, option,s and needs to make the most efficient and logistically feasible choice.  I'm sure I will learn a LOT.

We are only scheduled for four committee meetings--plus a large city wide introductory meeting tomorrow night--so we will need to work fast.  I am kind of happy that the meetings are already set and we have a time limit.  Otherwise people get in their heads this is the most important thing EVER and meetings last forever.

I'm happy to serve my neighbors and friends here.  I don't think I know anyone else on the committee, so I have many more potential friends to meet.  I do like our little town and I know that when we serve each other every is blessed.  Wish me luck!

That's What Costco Is for, Right?

We will have our stakewide RS Conference on Saturday.  I was called to be on the committee to hep with the luncheon.  That is a fun calling, really.  One meeting, a few emails and voila!  We have a great luncheon.

My part int he luncheon prep committee was dessert.  Ooooh, they got the right girl for that one.  After our discussion of "what do we want to have?" We opted for Costco cheesecake.  It was my job to go buy 9 Costco cheesecakes.

I also was asked, since I was going to Costco anyway, could I also pick up 9 English cucumbers and 5 tubs of grape tomatoes fro the salad.  But my main job was CHEESECAKE.

I bought 9.  Not counting the one I bought for our family for Christmas Eve dinner.  And you know what?  The checkers at Costco didn't even bat and eyelash when I rolls up in my cart with 9 cheesecakes.  They didn't even ask if I was hosting a party, or working with a RS committee for a Saturday Women's Conference.  I love that about them.  No guilt no matter what--or how many--things I am buying.

I Already See The Difference

I've been a employee for only one week, and yet, I can already see a difference in some of the things that I have been doing.  The biggest difference is one I like and want to share with you.

Did you know that when you work for someone else, you can go to work--do the work--and then come home from work?  The WORK doesn't always follow you home. You do not have to be worried about answering the phone and having a coworker call, or a customer need something, or a big-wig get a hair-brained idea and want you to do it before morning.  I didn't know this was a possibility.  I always have thought that if you were doing something for work, you were owned by that employer.

When I first graduated from college, I worked at a dental research lab.  The woman who ran the facility was CrAzY.  And I don't mean  she w as a "wild and crazy guy" kind of person.  I mean she could have been insane. She'd get an idea in her head and she'd want you at the office the next morning at 4 AM so you could do what she wanted before she left on a plane to speak somewhere at 8 AM.  then two days later, she would have thought about it longer, and realize that what you did at 4 AM isn't really what she wanted after all, so you'd have to undo it all and redo something else she imagined up for you to fill your time.  This kind of thing happened all. the. time.

So, I thought, work was something that you dreaded calling you at home just when you were comfortable and enjoying the rest of your life.

My parents have a shop where they work.  They are the owners, so they have a different set of issues on top of regular employees--I understand that--but they also get phone calls from customers.  Someone had something go wrong and needed a tow, a trailer, a loaner car to get them by until their car can be repaired.  I know people rely on their vehicles, and vehicles don't break down during business hours.  But friends, family, family of friends of customers who happen to be driving through town sometimes can cause you to be at work, even when you're not.

So, even when your work will benefit someone else, and it is nice to help them, your personal life isn't necessarily yours all the time.

And my final example of this is from Genius Golfer's work life.  When you are really good at your job, you can cause your own troubles with this.  Maybe something at the office doesn't happen, or someone else--who usually has no business doing anything, much less "your thing"--does something that breaks, suspends, interrupts or disengages whatever you are responsible for seeing gets done.  And it doesn't get done after all.  Who do "they" call?  You of course.  GG has taken fix-it calls on family vacations, had to borrow home computers or laptops of friends we were visiting, and even kept this cell phone with him and ringer on during anniversary dinners.  His work never seemed to leave him alone.

So, being too good at your job isn't a great idea either, because they will never let you leave your work.

All these example have come to mind this past week, as I learned as fast as I could what I was supposed to be doing at my new job.  I concentrated hard to figure out their industry specific software, their system of delivery, the business machines I was assigned to use, understand what they were asking me to do (filtered through a new set of terminology and references and abbreviations), and transfer calls using a new phone system with button that had out of date labeling.  I think I did pretty well, all things considered.

This past week,  I used my brain in ways I haven't for a long time.  I spend energy and effort in doing something for others--and myself, knowing I'd get paid at some point too.  And the best part, was discovering that when my hours were done, I could finish my project to that point--it will be there tomorrow--and tidy my workspace, clock out and walk out to the car.

Work hasn't followed me home.  Once.  All week.  This foreign idea is so wonderful, I can't begin to tell you!

Why have I been spending my life and so much energy, time, effort, money and blood, sweat and tears volunteering only to have it follow me home like dog poop stuck to my shoe?!?!  I know the work was worthwhile while I was doing it, but it is a breath of fresh air not to have colleagues, bosses, customers (or whatever you associate all these types with in a volunteer world) call me at home or demand more than I have already given.  And, they are still going to pay me?!?! Now that is the CrAzY part.

Makes going back to work for Week Two seem like a dream life.

Good Questions

Last evening I had an interview with our Bishop to renew my temple recommend.  Before he started asking me the "test questions" he sat and visited with me, asking me questions about how my life was going.

Sometimes these are the much harder questions to answer.

No.  They are definitely the harder questions to answer.

He asked me about how things were going at home.  He specifically asked about our finances.  So I told him just what I thought and added some points about my feelings.  He sympathized by telling me that he has learned in this calling that men and women do not see things the same way and had wondered how I was doing in regards to our current family financial situation.

I talked to him about feeling guilty that I am not working, and the conflict I feel when I think about working--even at the school--and the sick feeling I have had all weekend about it.  I feel guilty because I am capable of working, but I'm not.  I feel like one of us ought to be providing our family an income.  I was sick about the idea that if I did work, would that make Genius Golfer feel less like the family provider, or worse yet, give him a pass to golf all year and not really have his head in the game and think he didn't need to work anymore?  All these feeling have swirled about my head and the swirling has gotten to a tornado level this past weekend.

And last night I got word that the spot at the school when I might best fit in a job was just opened.  And it made me more sick.

He asked me about how I was feeling about my calling.  I told him I was struggling.  The information is something I can teach with my eyes closed, but I didn't care for this age group--even when The Boy and The Girl were this age.  I told him I love working with my co-teacher, but I don't feel much of a challenge and figured there must be something else I need to learn here.  I told him that I took the calling to be obedient, not because I was happy about it.

I was happy to share with him how I was feeling.  He asked, after all.  I just don't want to be a whiner and I don't like the idea of doing less than I should.  I want to do something with 100% effort and see what I do make a difference.  I want to be useful and of benefit to others.  Which, I guess in a way, is the core of my conflict right now.

I could be of use in a job.  But I feel I am benefiting my community in my volunteer work. I feel I give 100% as a PTA leader and I make a difference to my kids and others' kids too doing that.

When I have prayed about working I never have a settled feeling, so I have avoided pursuing it more.  With this new job becoming available, I feel like I should at least apply because it is "the right thing to do" for anyone looking at us from the outside.  But when I just feel sick to my stomach about it, that is a pretty resounding answer to me.

He had some good questions for me.  I just wish I had better answers.

The Point Of It All

Today I have our monthly PTSA meeting at the high school.  At each of these meetings there is a "reverence" or thought given to help us as volunteers and encourage us to keep going.  Sometimes it is funny; sometimes inspiring.  I found this to share today.

Mathletes, Start Your Calculators!

I have a chance to do something I have never done before in my volunteering life:  I'm helping or high school Math Club host a district wide competition at our school this afternoon.  I'm doing this for two reasons:  1)  Dear Friend, Amy, is the Math Club adviser--almost against her will--and she was kind of freaking out thinking about hosting it without any other adult supervision.  And 2) because The Girl is the president of this inaugural year of the PGHS math club--it looks good on her college applications, and she is Amy's TA one period this semester.

It is what I do:  Volunteer.

I am kind of excited to see how this will go down.  There are 150 high school students--smartypants types, one and all--expected to attend and compete.  We could have potentially 8 high schools participate.  And my majors jobs today will be to deliver the 56 feet of sub-sandwiches from WalMart with all the required accoutrements and then to be the "announcer" throughout the competition and then the prize drawings.

In this arena I think I am as close to professional as I can be without being paid--thus a volunteer.  The announcing job is always my job at the swim team's triathlon each summer too.  Just give me a microphone and let me loose.  I guess that means my talent lies in being a big mouth, since there really is no other gift or talent required for it.

I'll let you know how it all goes. My only concern is that today's math competition overlaps with the Space Center committee meetings I am supposed to be at but I have asked to be excused as I committed to this math thing before we have a committee meeting scheduled today.  "La vida es dura", as Mr. Bryant--my HS Spanish teacher--used to always say.

Regular Customer

I realized last night, on my way home from the HS's production of Peter Pan, that I had been to the high school 4 times already in three days this week.   This really isn't an odd occurrence, but sometimes it does surprise me still.

Call it my overactive sense of responsibility, but I as I serve as PTSA president, I feel that I need to be there to cover things when we have things going on.  This year I have a co-president but she had been ill or substitute teaching more often than not.  we have a Viking Store that is open Tuesday through Friday during lunch each week, so I have been covering things there when no one shows up--or is late.  I try to make it as easy as possible for whomever is there to work.   I get to attend a school community council meeting today and then it's my turn to work the store on Friday.

Never a dull moment, I concede. But really, I wouldn't be anywhere else.  It is a blessing to be able to volunteer and work at the school where my kids are each day.  Not only am I close if they need me, but I also am discovering just what is going on there and how the faculty and staff and other students are working together to make it the best possible learning situation they can.  It is good to feel the unity of purpose with those in charge.

In the meantime, I'll just be grateful I am there and have the chance to do the fun stuff, after school too.  The play was very cute--music was delightful and the "flying" was pretty cool.

The Day After: Time to Get to Work

The US elections are over.  And only one of the candidates I voted for won.  Maybe I am a jinx for these elections.  Regardless of my personal preferences, I think we need to examine the fact that America is a pretty great place. 

I have received a few messages since yesterday's results that I completely agree with:

From Dear Friend Jan: "Ok , no matter how this all turns out. I just watched my husband (who is a Republican and I'm pretty sure voted for Romney) kneel and pray for President Obama. The hatred has got to stop. What kind of Christians are we when we are consumed with despair and hatred? We now need to have faith in our form of government which, I believe, is inspired. And we need to work to change our country for the better. Whining accomplishes nothing."

From a former neighborhood YW:  " I was talking to a rather disappointed customer about the election last night. The only thing I could manage to say was that 'it could be worse. I haven't found an acceptable alternative, but it could be worse.' She looked at me and said, 'ya, we could live somewhere where we don't have a say in our national government.' She's right, we do have a say in some of the things that go on here. If you don't like the things going on at the capital, write your congressmen. They are there to listen and speak for you. All you have to do is tell them what you want. There are ways to make the next four years relatively painless for yourselves, speak up to someone that can do something about it. Being all worried and pissed on FB isn't going to get anybody anywhere. Besides, if the group of you that I know have an immense trust in God truly do trust in him the way you say you do, then you know that he has a plan for all of this. We may not know what it is, but it obviously wasn't to make Romney president. If you truly believe God has a plan for all of us, then you must have faith that even though you think Obama will destroy us God will help us all. If you don't like a policy let someone in government know, make use of the system that the founders provided to you. Don't just post to the internet that you are mad Obama won. If he tries to pass something else you don't like write, call, or send a telepathic message to your local representatives. They are supposed to be there to help. Make the do their jobs and then go home and trust that God will make it all work out for the best."




And from Dear Friend Micheale, a good reminder: "'The future is as bright as your faith.' -Thomas S. Monson"





 If we have done all we could, then we need to get past the disappointments and get to work.  What can we do in our community to improve the situation?  Can you volunteer at a school?  Can you run for city council?  Can you work with a non-profit group to affect the changes you were hoping to see in this election?

Don't let the disappointment from one election stop YOU from making a difference.  We are each still responsible for doing our best to make the world a little better and that is true regardless of which candidate won the election.

So friends, I'm off to the high school again today to do my best to make a positive difference.  What are you willing to do?

Who Answers the Call of the Wild?

Who chooses to have 1400+ pubescent junior high students (one half at a time), one week or so away from the end of school, on a hot sunny day, to swarm you with money and Viking Bucks seeking candy, rewards, validation, and attention during their lunch period and you are the only one to answer their call of the wild?

I'll tell you, since I just returned from this exact scenario unscathed and essentially unhurt.  And I will confess to being a sweaty pig-dog, however, who is very tired.

I do this.  For fun.  Of my own volition.

It was the last day of sucker sales and Viking Store today at the junior high.  (Viking Store, for those of you who don't know) is a rewards station for the kids to bring their teacher awarded viking bucks and redeem them for treats, toys, books, writing utensils, etc. It is open each week on Tuesdays during the two lunch periods and staffed by PTA volunteers.

Except today.  First lunch was staffed by me.  And later an assistant principal took pity on me and came over to help.  I guilted-in some help for the 2nd lunch, but the first lunch is mostly seventh graders--who are closer aligned to Africanized bees than humans at this point int he school year.  I felt like I was the center of their swarm.

Overall the kids are great.  And the rewards system in place is great.  And our opportunity to sell suckers for the PTA fundraiser each week is really great.  But roll that all together and put one tired-because-its-the-end-of-the-year PTA president and I easily could have become their Queen.

Let's just say that it is a very good thing that it was our last day.  I'm too pooped to party.  But it is good to be queen, I guess.

And So It Begins, Again

Today I spent the morning at the high school, in the book depository, helping to hand out textbooks.  It is one of my favorite things to do as a volunteer at school.  I got to see three periods of classes today, with more to come as I spend Wednesday and Friday there too.

The kids just really crack me up.  Some of it is first day jitters.  Others are dealing with picture day nerves. (Yes, our school does school pictures in the FIRST day back!)  Some kids are just happy to be back in a routine, with new clothes, seeing old friends again, and getting closer to graduation.  And some darling kids are new transfers--the cute new boy from Florida, was one of my favorites--and one was an exchange student with the most delightful German accent!  They just make me smile.

Add to the cuteness factor of back to school time, I adore seeing the kids from our stake as they line up and come to the window to check out their books.  I love seeing them, calling them by name and giving them a big smile and some a little teasing before handing over their books.  This is especially fun, if they don't see me until I call them by name.  Ahh, I love that.

It is just one of the joys of volunteering at the schools.  I love my job.

Volunteers Get CrAzY!

As part of the festivities for Strawberry Days, our local Kiwanis Club hosts an afternoon of Elementary school relay races--4th, 5th, and 6th grade teams from each of our local schools run against each other.  then the school with the most wins is awarded a couple hundred dollars from the Kiwanis.  Win-Win situation, right?  Well, it is until the "unofficial" race is held--after the kids run and while the scores are tallied.  The Kiwanis themselves made a team and raced the kids--whomever wanted to race the grown-ups.

Tons-Oh-Fun!

Mister LE heads off from the start, catching up to the poor little girl in the next lane.

Then docker and loafer clad, Gentleman Jeff, hands off to Miss Diana--who runs in a t-shirt and skirt.

And finally the anchor man is Dear Friend Garth.  What a trouper.  His cap aerodynamically reversed so he can "run like the wind"!  Remember, this is against little kids.

Well, from this shot you can see Mr Garth didn't win outright, but he gave a good showing.  I think if it were a horse race, you could have said he "placed".

Maybe that would have won you some money.

But it was worth whatever you'd have paid the horse racing enthusiast to see the Grown-Ups come in #2 to the kids.  With another set of kids a close 3rd. 

I am so easily amused.

It Just Isn't Fun Anymore

We had a Strawberry Days committee meeting on Monday night.  Technically I am on the committee, but as a volunteer photographer, I have little interest other than what the schedule is and really no say about how things are done.  Add to that, I have only two years invested here as a committee member.  And as a citizen, I had little interest in the behind-the-scenes deals that went down.  I just wanted to know when the parade would block my street and whether or not there was an alternative way out of town to avoid the carnival.

Strawberry Days is the oldest city celebration in the state.  It has been a home grown, small town, locally run program for decades and decades.  But the meeting on Monday made me wonder what had changed.

I felt Monday that there was a discussion heating up that could be boiled down to "keep it local" or "run it like a business".  Apparently, you can't do both.  The meeting had an awkward and uncomfortable feel.  I can't even put my finger on it, to be honest.  It is just a gut feeling, and I have had enough of those to know to trust my gut.

So, I will take photos of the Rodeo Queen pageant in a couple weeks.  And I'll take pictures at each event that I can make it to during the week of Strawberry Days.  But I don't intend to do this again.  I haven enough to do in my regular life than to volunteer for things that aren't any fun anymore.  Real life is not fun most of the time too, so why muck it up with extra un-fun responsibilities?!

Another Way to Spend the Day

This morning I had a chance to work at the cannery not too far from our home.  I volunteered a two and half hour shift where we canned hamburger meat.  It is a loud, messy, happy place.

I mention the happy part because I don't think that is the first thing people think of when I tell them I had a shift at the cannery.  But it is.  It is a happy place.  Everyone there, except the cannery management, is a volunteer. 

By volunteering I have an opportunity to purchase the products that cannery otherwise makes just for the Bishop's Storehouses--kind of like mini grocery stores for people in need of some assistance.  Not necessarily full blown welfare, but for folks that need a little extra help for their families.  Those who get to "shop" the storehouse are sent there by recommendation of their Bishop, the local ecclesiastial/congregational leader.  The shopper comes with an order sheet that the Bishop (or his representative) has filled out with the family.  Then the family loads up with what they need and they go. 

The items from the storehouses are also sent to disaster stricken areas around the world.  Everything from toothpaste and diapers to beef stew and, as today's shift proved, canned hamburger is available for these kinds of relief missions.

It feels pretty good to do something that will help my family.  It feels even better knowing that what helps my family will also be ready to help others' families too.  And that is what makes it a happy place to volunteer.

Getting All "Mother Bear"

Offspring learn by watching their parents. I hate it when my kids do that. But what other choice do they have, really?

I do have a natural Mother Bear instinct. It is fully engaged when someone threatens my kids. But I also see it rise up when my young women across the stake are disrespected, or when a local PTA is disparaged. Why can't people just get along?!

Last night I felt the bristly Mother Bear instinct kicking in while I was waiting for a School Board meeting to begin. The place was packed. I was there to honor four award winners that came from my PTA council--two volunteers, a teacher and a principal. The rest of the crowd was there to speak their mind to the school board.

http://heraldextra.com/news/local/education/precollegiate/article_c91cb886-2cbb-5ad0-9bdc-73f71bfbcd56.html

Sometimes I wonder why people look so hard to find any thing disagreeable. There are other options--homeschooling, private school, charter schools--for parents that don't agree with what is going on in public school. But even if you do have children in public school, you'd better get involved as a responsible parent. Yes, it is a parent's responsibility to oversee their children's education. But public school is not the terrible conspiracy of socialism so many think.

Far more likely, public school is doing the best it can to educate all children--regardless of their parent's involvement. AS a proponent for public education, I feel the need to participate--I'm a PTA leader, a volunteer, a School Community Council member. I know my kids' teachers, administrators, and appreciate the constraints they are constantly under and the pinch they feel when the legislature repeatedly chooses to not put the money where their mouth is.

I didn't stay at the school board meeting last night. I had kids home alone--and I feel my place is with them. But also, I didn't want to stay because I get so fed up with people demanding change when they themselves are not willing to be the change they want to see. The loudest whiners are the ones who most likely refuse to help.

I think I blogged once about "If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." The same sentiment settled over me last night, so I left before the Mother Bear in me got loose.

That Was What I WAS Doing

Tuesday, our new President called for each of us to pitch in to "be the change" the country has been looking for. Starbuck's Coffee Houses jumped on this and has a new "I'm In" campaign where a customer will pledge to do 5 hours of service--of their choice--and they get a free coffee. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher produced a "Presidential Pledge" video with famous people pledging to do something more to improve the social climate in America. Oprah is happy to be a forum for this bandwagon too, of course.

I was pledging before pledging was cool, to borrow a country western phrase. And so were most all of you.

What is the deal? Didn't famous people see the need prior to the inauguration?! Didn't they feel the need to be helpful in their community before a new young leader called them out on it? Didn't they accept that the only change we will ever see is what we choose to take on in our own lives? Good crud, people! Where have these guys been?!

Maybe they didn't realize that public education has been on the verge of either failing or greatness, classroom by classroom, for years, and that the only way to tip the scales was to roll up your sleeves and get in there and help. I've been committed to that for nine years now. Many of you have been at it even longer. That commitment came from us when we had children, and our pledge was not just for our own children, but for all children.

Perhaps they haven't seen the need for cub scout leaders, girl or boy scout leaders, 4H leaders, Boys and Girls Clubs help, library volunteers, teachers at the community center, leaders in the YM or YW programs. Oh, that's probably because that might force them to accept some modicum of responsibility that might not be seen by the media and the cameras from Entertainment Tonight. Our commitment to our community began when we joined the community.

Now, I can't end 21st century slavery, like Demi and Ashton have proposed to do themselves. But I wish them luck in their efforts.

And I can't offer free coffee to everyone who chooses to join the legion of volunteers I work with week after week.

And I know that I cannot do everything I feel the need to do. Physically it is impossible. But I can do something, and I am doing something.

I'm headed to a council PTA meeting today, in fact. There I work with wonderful people--men and women--from about 10 schools in our community. We discuss solutions to various problems as they arise at these schools. We provide leadership and guidance for local volunteer leaders who at times feel they are in over their heads. We are a support to our teachers and principals who are in the trenches every day with our kids. I'm honored to work among them.

So, we can each do something, even small things. The trick is to just get over ourselves and our issues of the moment and just do it. Nike had it right, long ago. You don't need a bandwagon to jump on. The need has always been here, and compassion has always answered the call with a willing heart, not a coffee, or a paycheck, or media recognition, or a presidential mandate.

Holy Time Management, Batman...

I had a regional PTA meeting this morning; the first for the new school year!

Now, those of you who know me, know that I have completely bought into the PTA mission and all that it represents. I've now served at a local level as: secretary, Reflections chair, President-Elect, President, and Leadership VP. Now I'm on to Council level jobs as: secretary and President-elect (this year), and in 2 years I've committed myself to the Council President gig. These are not jobs you take on accidentally. I have chosen my path, young jedi. The path has not chosen me.

But today's meeting, for all the cheer leading and excitement it had to pass along, was a partial waste of time. I love that there are people in the PTA organization that L O V E what they do in PTA. I am all about finding what sets you up and letting you run with it. But as a past local president. I know that my time was very valuable--it still is, in fact--and I don't necessarily want to sit through a 20-30 minute presentation on Health and Safety issues that, yes, I know are important, but the whole meeting was only supposed to last for one hour. ARGH!

Inform, but don't bore. Enlighten, but don't overwhelm. Let's be nice to our volunteers. Think about what they NEED to hear and use their time to the best possible affect. After all, we can't fire them, but they can quit!