People who volunteer to take on HUGE positions at your school are a rare find, indeed. They are dedicated and they care so much about the school and the kids in it. They don’t do it for the glory – because there isn’t so much of that. They are often talked about, disliked and treated badly on any given day. Any little thing that goes wrong is their fault. Of course, those that talk the talk ALWAYS think they could do it better and may even offer up advice to those who do it. Or perhaps they are the type the just complains, but NEVER helps. There is lots of Monday morning quarterbacking!
Some things people might not know is WHY these people give their time to the school. Some of them may do it because they want to feel important. It is their full time job and it gives them a sense of self. They like having people know who they are and what they do. For others, though, it may fill a gap.
My husband, for example, was very unhappy in his job a few years ago. He worked from home and wanted to feel like he was doing something important – something that made a difference in our small world. For him, that was becoming PTA President at our daughters’ school.
I don’t know that he knew what he was getting into completely. Yeah, he was able to make a HUGE difference and get involved in a lot of areas that he otherwise wouldn’t have. He became more aware of kids with special needs, and wanted to create a committee for parents to go to make everything better for them on campus – but it wasn’t limited to parents with special needs kids. It was for everyone. When asked if his kids had special needs, he said, “No, but that isn’t a reason NOT to create it.” He helped bring awareness of propositions regarding education and encouraged parents to go to rallies and get involved.
Every president or highly involved parent leaves his or her mark on a school in some way. They find things they are passionate about and fight for them. Some make strategic choices and try to put their agenda ahead of the schools, some lead with the heart and some…well, some lead blindly and don’t really have a plan. Though I was never president, I feel good about the things I have done and the legacy I will leave at my kids’ school.
Ultimately, we need to be grateful for those people because without them, the school would not run as efficiently. If you’re one of those that help, look in the mirror and say it to yourself, and let me say it too. THANK YOU!
Want to share some successes with me? Do it in the comments below!
Sarah
Sarah is a native Los Angeleno with the heart of a Chicagoan. She loves A Cappella music, cooking, and swing dancing. When she’s not helping raise money for schools, sports teams and clubs, she is hanging out with and loving life with her husband and girls. For more information about what she does professionally, check out www.amomsguidetoschoolfundraising.com