I can’t believe I was singing such praises of School
Councils just a few months ago! I was like this naïve, ignorant person who
looked at everyone on the School Council as selfless parents who are only there
to help every child at their school. I am sure some of them are there to
contribute positively and make a difference, however some others are on a power
trip. Staying at home and mostly dealing with children has kept me away from politics
in general. I did not realize that becoming part of something as small as a
school council would throw me smack dab in the middle of a political
battlefield! A tad exaggerated? I don’t think so!
I should have known why the Grade 6 Committee had no
members, but I did not … NOT then! Now when I look back, I clearly see the 2
parents of Grade 6 children who were at the first meeting I attended and who
applauded me profusely when I became the Grade 6 Chair of the Grade 6 Committee
… a ONE person committee! They did not join the committee. I should have
thought about that, but I did not … Now I know. Apparently, the Grade 6 Chair
has the delightful and attractive duty of fundraising as part of her
responsibilities. I was told by the Vice-Chair of the School Council, “Those 2
parents … they will take care of the Grade 6 Graduation dinner. That way, you
can give your full attention to fundraising.” She made it sound like she is
doing me a favour and I bought it. I really felt very important. She also
added, “The Grade 6 Chair is very powerful!” Such nonsense and I bought that as
well. So, I will be busy fundraising and
those 2 parents will be having fun spending that money and planning a nice
dinner for our children. How nice!
I found out later that all these parents have been “friends”
for several years. The School Council meetings are almost an excuse to get
together and catch up (for some of them). I am the clueless new parent who just
walked into the middle of it. As I started to get rid of the blindfold over my
eyes and see clearly, I felt this intense urge to quit. Why do I need to waste
my time? It is my child’s last year at his public school and then, I don’t need
to be part of this school ever! Why bother?
Pause …
Is this the message I want to give my child? His momley
quits at the first sign of a challenge! I couldn’t do that to him. I just
couldn’t do it. I am not a quitter. With that self-declaration, I planned my
first fundraiser. It was a good pitch and the School Council gave me a nod of
approval. I was quite excited and then, it all fell apart! Even as I was
devastated at the realization that my first attempt failed, I did not expect
the very same people to look at me with disapproval … I wanted to quit again!
Pause …
Is this the message I want to give my child? His momley
gives up when her first attempt fails! What sort of a message is that to send
to a child? So, I accepted my failure and proceeded to plan another fundraiser.
Somehow a parent found me. She is not on the School Council; however she wanted
to help as it is her child’s last year at his school. Working with her, I
realized that there are several parents who work quietly in the background and
contribute their valuable time without seeking any recognition. I hope their
children realize how lucky they are for such caring parents. That’s the kind of
parent I’d like to be. This is my first and last stint on a school council.
So, how was the second attempt at a fundraiser? It was
nothing like the first one!
