Think about this story. This happened when my first son was in kindergarten. I volunteered for a bake sale, and I worked with a woman who was Mrs. PTO. She headed lots of committees, and worked tirelessly for the school. She never turned down an invitation to help.
In her daughter’s 5th grade school journal was an entry, that the mother thought was “adorable.”
“I miss my Mom. I never see her because she’s so busy running the PTO Art Auction. I wish the art auction never existed.”
The Mom laughed – “Isn’t that so cute.”
I failed to see the humor.
But as the school volunteer forms come rushing in, it’s good to pause and remember whom the organization is serving. Who benefits? How? Why?
There is an annual, traditional, fund-raiser that has existed for many years. The event has grown, the committees have tripled, and they have evolved into subcommittees with lots of planning with Moms absent from many dinner hours. Finally, the upcoming chair took a hard look at the numbers. The event had created expenses, and it wasn’t pulling in the numbers they expected. In fact, it was losing money, and other fund-raisers throughout the year were designed to support this one. A fund-raiser to support a fund-raiser. The event was a “tradition” and no one could imagine the school without it.
But this chairperson decided it was time to end it. She did. Congrats to her.
When the volunteer sign-up form asks, “what are your strengths,” looking for a way to plug you into their service, remember to filter this answer with your own private question, “what are your weaknesses?” If you see an opportunity to attend meetings while the kids are at school, remember that while you’re there, dinners are not being made, laundry isn’t getting done, and errands are no longer a priority. Will this bother you? Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t.
There is a way to put your skills to work to help others. The secret is to balance your strengths with your weaknesses. And remember that awesome two-letter word, “no.” Just something to think about as you plan your year.
I used to say yes to everything. I got so burned so many times that I made No the first thing that comes out of my mouth. I can always change my mind after I have time to think about it. Good advice.
I knew I liked you. It is easy to get caught up, wanting to do it all.
Thanks for the reminder.
No is a hard word for a lot of people. I can get sucked into too many things in my horse club and then end up feeling used and abused because no one appreciated what I did anyway. So I’m working on more NO.
Can I hire you as my personal mentor?
Hmmm, something tells me your answer to that would be “no.” You’d miss A LOT of dinners! ; )
This was so beautifully said. I feel very strongly this way. Even when I do something while B is otherwise occupied, I’m putting aside things that will take up time later, when she IS around. No is a wonderful word sometimes. I feel this way too, about signing her up for ten zillion activities a season. One is good. Who are we trying to impress?
I tagged you for the middle name meme.
Thanks for remindin me. Must fine time to sit, reflect and list down my priorities.