This school year I am the Armstrong Elementary PTA President-Elect.  My dear friend, Laura Nell Morrow is serving as the President.  When Laura Nell talked to me about throwing my name in the hat for the position I literally laughed.  After she convinced me that she was serious I told her I would have to think about it.   After a few days of deliberation, prayer, specific questions and concerns to her about me doing the job, and consulting my husband, I decided it would be fun and I could fit it into the kids and my work schedule.  I have had positions like this one before, and ones even larger.  It had been a few years since I have taken anything this large on, but I love the school, love Laura Nell, and my kids were so excited about the idea.        

The nominating committee met and ended up thinking I could do the job.  I was happy to be chosen but kept the news to myself.  I knew people would find out soon enough.  What I forgot was the mixed reactions people have when they find out that you are taking on a large volunteer position.  I started to recall the reactions I received when I got nominated to the Junior League Board.  Some people were great and congratulated me, and even threw in a “you will be great at that.”  Then I had the other people.  These are the people I am writing about.  The people who say things like, “Are you out of your mind?”  “Do you know what you are getting into?”  “Better you than me!” 

If I have ever said that to anyone about any volunteer position I am apologizing to you right now.   What I want to say instead is thank you for doing this.  Thank you Jennifer Dix for being the Cattle Barons’ Chair and raising money for the American Cancer Society, and working towards wiping out all of the terrible kinds of cancer out there.  Thank you Paige Slates for taking on the Armstrong Auction as chair this year and helping us put in a new playground.  Thank you Laura Nell Morrow for serving my school this year and working so hard to put things in place to make your predecessor’s job (me) so much easier.  The hours these ladies will put in, and the support that their families will have to give them, so they can do an effective job, needs to be appreciated by our community. 

I promise I am not fishing for a compliment or a thank you from you.  If you think I am crazy or not up for the task, feel free to keep those thoughts to your self. If you think the job is that bad just be grateful that it is me and not you who is taking it on.