Family Forum / Parenting / Mothers / June 2005

As a PTO president, I am always looking to involve other volunteers so
that I don't have to do as much real work. In some events that works the
charm. In others, well... I am the chair and each volunteer.

I like volunteering!

I am a volunteer for two reasons. First -- and foremost -- I keep myself
informed of all-things school-related. I also have enough ego (and id)
to reach out to my daughter-units' community to [hopefully] make a
difference. (It helps being an axe murdering psycho, too.)

Right as the school year let out, a dad (an Ex-Software Engineer [ESE])
walked up to me and was visibly grousing about how his PTO didn't meet
his specific needs. "Dammit! They're a clique! They don't listen to
anyone but the 'inner crowd.'"

Since I was actively involved in our community outreach program this
year (which turned numbers triple of previous years), I was truly
concerned by this criticism.

"Really? Like what?"

"The Group, you know, the same Power Families that work their wiles
every year, didn't 'hear' anything that was submitted for this year."

"Like what? Please! Let me know. I _know_ the pres! He's willing to
listen -- especially since I have his ear!"

"You do? I was told he is process-driven and only cares about how things
are done?"

"Shee-it... You're an ex-engineer. Is there anything beyond process?"

"Well, yes. There's there people. Their feelings and desires. If the
management doesn't listen, then the people won't implement the
requests!"

"Ah... Gotchya!"

"Anyways... TA* [me] is good for key projects but sucks as a manager.
He's a Carly and Gates and Jobs, only their worst traits..."

"Go on." I was actually loving every minute of my anomoty.

"So," ESE groused, "he sits in his ivory tower making prognostications
and rolling his 4-sided die** in the hopes that he figures out the
'best' guess. Why doesn't he effin' asked the community? THEY'D tell
'im!"

"Really?" I look at ESE and gauged his 6'2", 276 lb frame. "My name is
'[The].' '[The Ranger]' and I have to tell you that _you_ are the
_first_ person to talk to me like I was part of the community! For
that... I THANK YOU! I'm very concerned about that POV! Please, if
you're able, continue."

"You're... I... I... I... I didn't mean to tell you..."

"Stop." I held up my hands pleadingly. "Please." ESE's jaw loudly
clicked shut. "Do I," I smiled, "have Death," and I looked over my right
shoulder, "hovering right here? No. I'm half your weight and half your
height. There's not much I _could_ do to you -- even if I wanted."

ESE smiled.

"So... I've heard your concerns. I'm REALLY interested in them. My only
concern is that I haven't seen you at ANY of our meetings, PTO or
otherwise, and simply wonder if it's an oversight on my part. If not,
then I invite you to our next meeting and hope that you'll address these
same concerns there. If you haven't been to any meetings, then I INVITE
you to attend and I'll pick you up prior to it."

"Well..."

"No 'well.' I'll pick you up!"

"Uhm..."

"Great!" I exclaimed and reached for his hand. "I appreciate your
honesty and willingness to volunteer! I will make SURE you won't regret
this!"

The Ranger

* A particular orifice of small design used to evacuate waste material
and excess food products.
** AD&D reference