Since the time the kids have both gone to school I have been a very active volunteer. I joke that I volunteer so I won't have to clean my house (and there is probably some truth to that) but honestly, I love to know that I am doing something to help someone else.
3 years ago I started getting more involved with the PTA in our school. I have done all sorts of fun things like be a Room Parent, organize an event for the graduating 5th graders, and oversee hospitality to coordinate things like monthly breakfasts for the teachers and staff as well as potluck dinners and pies at Thanksgiving. Last year I was elected to the position of Treasurer and spent the year counting money and running to the bank, among other things.
This year I have been upgraded! I was voted in as PTA President...despite my initial kicking and screaming against the possibility. There were several factors that kept me hesitant about volunteering for the position but, in the end, I agreed. Why? The main reason is that I truly feel God is calling me to this place in this moment and is going to use this year to mold and shape and stretch me. I pray that I will be putty in His hands and He will be glorified through my service.
So, I was approved and July 1 marked the beginning of my term. Since August hit I feel like time has moved at warp speed! Between getting a fundraiser set, organizing folks to help with various tasks and events, keeping up with bazillions of papers and trying to finalize an impossible calendar of events, I find myself making notes everywhere and losing the same piece of paper over and over again!
Mike asked me the other night how I was doing and if I was stressing over tasks yet-to-be-done. Apart from the fact that I have noticed a subconscious propensity towards clamping my teeth and holding my breath, I don't think I am too stressed out. There have been plenty of opportunities to get upset over issues that have arisen, but I think that, so far, I have been able to roll with the tide and even laugh about crazy mix-ups.
The hardest part of this job, as with any, is getting the hang of it. Knowing what is expected, what needs to be done and what can be let go of. I have a strong desire to please people and be appreciated for a job well done and I am heading into this new role with the knowledge that I WILL disappoint someone, I WILL make someone mad with a decision and I WILL fail somewhere (or perhaps many 'somewhere-s') along the way. Praise God for grace!!
We are now 3 weeks into the school year and I think I have logged somewhere around the equivalent of a full-time job in volunteer hours. But, I love it! I am so thankful to be able to do full-time volunteering. I am looking forward to the end of this school year - to be able to look back and see the failures and the victories - and know that God's hand was leading me through it all the whole time. (Though I do pray we have more victories than failures!! (-: )
