I did the same thing. Got several pages for our vacation done this weekend. I've just decided that I need to grow some thicker skin and not be so sensitive. At the same time, we all really need some professional development in relation to our responsibilities to the organization. Any ideas on how to sell this to the group?

Let's see....
- Office manager fired week before school started
- Vice President announed she is leaving
- 85% of parking lot gone to construction until October/November
- 6 new staff members that know nothing or no one in the building!
- my son (1st grader) was not on any of the teachers lists the first day ( went to the school last year, had record of him, no one put him in a class!!!!!!)
-Flag dedication (new from DC) happened Friday with construction noise in the background (tried to tape it)

....on a perrsonal note, I had five funerals to attend, my grandma is not well, van broke down, plus PTO stuff, church committee.....hang in there. I think I have tied so many knots to hang on I maybe able to show ya a thing or two!!

Take a break, I'm going to a friend's tomorrow to do some scrapbooking and leaving my cell at home! I think I have well earned it!

Up hill is so much better that hitting bottom!
September 1st HERE I COME!!!

[ 08-24-2003, 08:18 PM: Message edited by: mykidsmom ]

Thanks for the support. Things were pretty hot after the board meeting last night but things are finally starting to smooth out. Its nice to have others who are going through the same things.

What a mess. Hopefully everything is water under the bridge and we'll be able to move forward to a successful year.

I admire all of you Presidents out there taking this on yourself. I don't know how you all do it! Kellyannb: Did you all ever think of sharing the job? When something goes wrong, you actually have someone at your side helping you fix it! Sometimes it can be too much for one person. I am Co-President with another person. This is our third year and it has worked out great. We both work outside the home and knew we couldn't put 100% into this ourselves. Now it's 50/50. I may be a numbers cruncher or problem solver, while by co-hort is an excellent speaker, organized and creative. We are more energetic, profitable and accessible within the school (we can be in two places at one time!). When one gets down the other is there to pick up the slack. We've become the best of friends.

I think this has also helped people who wouldn't normally volunteer to maybe find a buddy and pair up for a fundraiser or to help us (or you can help them find a buddy)! Even if it becomes a disaster, we always make the best of it and always try to find the humour. The moms and dads want to join in and help because they think they're missing out on all the fun.

Hi...I have learned that whenever I get down I come onto the discussion forum. I have only been leader for 17 months but it has only been the last 11 that our group has taken off. We all understand your issues and know that it is a temporary thing, I think you need to look at the whole picture and see how much you are clearly doing for your kids, school and commuinty. I have found that by taking a minute and realizing that it puts things into perspective. I remember last year the class picture company had it all messed up and the principal asked me if i needed something to throw!! Then there are those fundraisers from hell.... but the over all picture is what keeps all of us going. I do agree that you should meet with your principal and mkae sure you both are on the same wave length. Just hang in there it does get better and then you can look at things and laugh....cry ...and laugh again!!

It does sound like your year has not started off on the best note. You could look at it this way---what else could possibly go wrong? I doubt anything. My advice is to meet with the new principal and make sure you're both on the same page for activities and such for the year. Then get yourself organized. Make sure you have all your plans laid out and that all your other board and committee members are on track too. After that, take a long bubble bath or have a big margarita or both and just forge ahead. You can't change things that already happened. It sounds like you made the best of the bad situations. I don't think it's possible to have a problem free year, it all comes down to how you handle the challenges when they arise. That will make the difference between getting through and throwing in the towel. Now take a deep breath and hold it while you count to 10. Let it out, put a smile on your face, hug your kids, and move ahead!!!! Good luck!