When I placed an 'ad' in last week's school newsletter for someone to replace me as the school fundraising and functions co-ordinator I didn't hold out much hope. How do you sell a volunteer position responsible for overseeing 3-5 fundraisers and 10 functions a year with a parent body that, at best, can hardly be bothered? I didn't volunteer for the position in the first place. I was shanghaied. I didn't see it coming.
I practised my spiel.
"you get to meet loads of people"
"It's really social"
Oh god, I'm repeating myself.
"all the systems are in place, if you're smart there's hardly anything to do"
Now, I'm really crapping on.
Then I get a phone call. A mum who's seeking further information. I start off with my pathetic spiel, accentuating the positives. Half-way through the conversation she indicates she's interested. I immediately go into truthful mode.
"Have you got someone to help? You really need a friend to bounce ideas off"
"Volunteers are not like employees, they pull out at the last minute because their hair is frizzy"
"Everyone tells you how it could be done better but won't lift a finger to help"
"You'll be left behind at 11pm, in the rain, picking up half-filled soft drink cans and lolly wrappers"
She said she'd think about it over the weekend and get back to me.
Saturday 3.30pm. Email says yes.
I still can't believe it.
I forget. Kindy* mums are still fresh, they haven't burnt out and they believe it can all be done so much better. Just the sort of person we need. Really.
I feel better now.
*Kindergarten is the first year of school in NSW
10 comments:
Oh, YAY for the enthusiastic kindy mum who doesn't know any better. It's people like her that keep the school community world turning. And good on you for being honest with her - she can't accuse you of any shanghai!
You won't know yourself with that little burden off your shoulders. It may even give you some time to spend on other projects.
(Where are you getting these cartoons from...or are you making them up yourself? They're really good!)
The cartoons are just me, clip art and Powerpoint.
Did I mention that she's a single mum? She's already practising her lines "You say you can't work on the sausage sizzle because your husband is away...let me tell you about husbands being away..."
Yay for you and Kindy Mum. I love people who volunteer and help out.
Good on her! It's nice to see someone giving it a shot. Oh, and I like the idea of 'Never Did Me Any Harm' too!...
Good on her. There are still good people out there!
That's great news. I wish there were more people like her (& you of course, I still remember that mornning tea you did . . .!).
At our school, people seem to think if they pay fees they shouldn't have to do anything else but of course they expect a lot of great stuff to just happen. Can you tell I'm burning out?!
I'm impressed you were so honest too.
Sucker.
I'm too scared to make eye contact with the fundraising coordinator at the boys' school lest she ask me to do something.
Don't get me wrong, I help out in lots of ways, but fundraising?
Urgh!!
not this mum.
i'm exhausted and burned out already, and i'm not even there yet ( but I learned from the bloodsuckers at Playgroup ... )
Kudos to you for getting rid of it though - poor new mum :(
aww geez .. now i've read the comments and feel bad.
HEY! - I WILL BUY ALL THE RAFFLE TIX and eat all the Mars Bars you need, ok ?
I will NOT pick up empty cans at 11pm - I do that at home already..
My 1st look at a blog in 4 weeks and I found this - you have to know how happy I am for you! (of course you know I am.) I did enjoy my time (3 years) of voluntary labour but the following year is so much more enjoybable as a reward for your hard efforts - you will revel in it!
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