I need to get it off my chest though.
I am not doing this because I have nothing better to do.
I am not doing this simply to provide more work for you.
I am not doing this becuase I enjoy the condescending looks and irritated glances you throw my way.
I'm doing this because I believe in being involved with my child's school.
I'm doing this because I beleive that communities should be helping schools where they can.
I'm doing this beause at the beginning of this year you were desperate.
P&C volunteers don't do this becuase they are bored housewives with nothing to do between seasons of Days of Our Lives (Is that still on TV?).
We all have places we'd rather be.
I don't love dragging my 8 month old baby up to the school and spending hours there each day, trying to do whatever needs doing.
I don't love laying awake at night stressing over the lastest fundraiser.
I don't love smarting from the attitude of the woman who runs Admin.
I don't love hearing "Well as long as you don't expect me to waste my time off on this" from teachers.
I don't love missing out on time with my family, because Samuel had a bad day and now I need to stay up til Midnight to get this done.
Yes. I know you're busy. I know you do plenty for the school. So do I. I don't, however, get paid for that. I know you're committed to the students at this school. So am I. I, however, don't get paid for it.
So for heaven's sake. Suck it up and get off my freaking back. Bitch about it all you want, but I will no longer smile sweetly and apologise for trying to help raise funds for YOU.
Sigh. Sorry. I'm not asking for a medal. Just tired of the attitudes.
Considering how much you are doing, simply because you care, I think you're entitled to vent. Every school needs a Mum like you (or two or three).
ReplyDeleteVent away, Mel x
Oh Mel,
ReplyDeleteI know this feeling well. You doing fundraising, are you? That was me last year. Never. Again. That said, the children appreciate it, the hard work is all for them.
Some of us just can't help it, we are just community minded. I'm vice-chairperson this year!
Not sure why you would think you look petty though, this is an incredibly valid vent. These committee roles are done by a minority doing the majority of the work.
Yeah, I'm the fundraising coordinator, Lex. Which makes it sound like there is a committee or something. There's not.
ReplyDeleteAnd at the next meeting (on Tuesday night), the president is goign to ask me to take on secretary as well, as the last secretary (sadly completely incompetant) has quit.
I worried it would be petty because I thought it might look like I was seeking validation or recognition. I'm not, I just don't want the negativity.
I spent close to 40 hours this week on P&C work.
Oh dear Mel - I remember it well. I was fundraising coordinator last year and our budget target was 15k Tonight I'm going to our yearly trivia night for Kinder, thank goodness just as a paying guest. The organising was tough going last year, really tough.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a thankless job Melissa. I understand exactly how you are feeling... :)
Oh doesn't it make you so frustrated? You know, I think half the attitude of these women comes from the fact that they know they could never do half as good as job let alone do it for no payment.
ReplyDeleteIt's more of a reflection on them Mel, not you.
I would rather one of you than two non involved teachers anyday!
ReplyDelete"Days of Our Lives (Is that still on TV?)."
Yes - Stephano has come back from the dead. Again. As has Tony Dimera who has been on a desert island for 20 years. Marlena is with someone who is probably really someone else. Sami is pregnant with twins but someone switched the Amnio parent results so EJ the evil is not really the father etc etc etc. hehehehehe.... I have to get out of the house LOL
It's true that office ladies that don't suffer from some sort of 'power trip' are extremely rare. In fact, of all the schools I've worked in, I've found only two.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that a lot of teachers don't want to do extra work for fundraisers etc.
It's also true that teachers are only paid for 25 hours a week, yet most that I know would easily work upwards of 70.
While I know your entry was primarily directed towards the people you have come in contact with, remember, there are thousands of teachers out there giving a hell of a lot more than their 25 paid hours every week.
It's true that office ladies that don't suffer from some sort of 'power trip' are extremely rare. In fact, of all the schools I've worked in, I've found only two.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that a lot of teachers don't want to do extra work for fundraisers etc.
It's also true that teachers are only paid for 25 hours a week, yet most that I know would easily work upwards of 70.
While I know your entry was primarily directed towards the people you have come in contact with, remember, there are thousands of teachers out there giving a hell of a lot more than their 25 paid hours every week.