It is time to retire when you no longer enjoy what you are doing, when the burden outweighs the joy, over a period of time.
Certainly, there is nothing wrong with getting new people into the job. The sign of a good leader is one that can find a way to replace themselves with another good leader.
Sometimes that comes through grooming another person into being a leader, and other times it means finding a leader already groomed and ready to go.
What are the attributes of that good leader? That is a different discussion.
The trick is in the recruitment. What method are you using to find that new leader. Are you looking only at the current volunteers? It could be that there are more talented parents of students that have not been volunteering because they don't feel a need. They understand you have things well under control.
They may need to be approached directly, if only you knew who they are.
So let that be your mission. It might be more important than the next fundraiser.
You can set your priorities. This is where you can show your true leadership skills.
Now, get out there... I know you can do it. You've proven yourself already!
Lisa responded to this blog post about
when to retire
and is looking for some advice. I'll let her know I've reposted here for discussion:
Our by-laws state that each officer should only be in one position for three years at a time. This is my third and should be my final year as president. There is no one on our board that is willing to step up and take over. The only person who has shown any interest is the one board member who never follows through. She never does what she promises to do and someone else always has to step in at the last minute and clean up after her. She has even suggested that I incorporate the volunteer coordinator role into the president’s role since I have done all the work for her anyway. Multiple board members have suggested that we simply change the by-laws. That could possibly leave me in the president’s position for another 4 years. I am truly conflicted. I think it isn’t healthy for a PTA to have the same officers for a long time, but at the same time, I have worked really hard and added a lot of new programs for the kids that I would hate to be lost now. Does anyone have any advice?
