The end is near...

Chestnut Cheeks started Pre-prep at the beginning of this year (kindergarten). The whole kindy experience was new to me. I didn't really know how a community kindergarten worked.
Basically the parents take care of the kindy. They run it, pay the bills, do maintenance on the grounds etc etc. This is why the fees are so reasonable. At a daycare centre you would pay twice as much. Not only that though, the atmosphere is lovely. The teachers form a wonderful bond with children & the parents get to know one another. Nice :)
In the first two weeks of term letters kept showing up in CC's locker inviting parents to the Annual General Meeting. I thought I would attend, as it seemed important & well after all I wanted to be a great kindy mum! So the night arrived & as I was walking out the door Swift Jim called out to me, "dont stick your hand up for ANYTHING!" I replied with, "dont worry! I dont intend to!"
Hmm well if you know me I have trouble saying no to things....
I deliberately sat in the middle of the group. I didn't want to be a nigel up the back, but I also didn't want to appear eager and sit at the front. I was happy with my choice, however I should have proceeded to SIT on my hands & button my mouth...
The meeting got underway, the president gave her speech, the director gave her report then the allocating of rolls started for 2008. First roll to fill was Presidents. No one wanted it, so they moved on & filled all the other positions and came back to the presidents position at the end. I should have jumped at one of those other rolls, like Fundraising co-ordinator or even Vice President. But I had come to the meeting with no intention to take on a roll so I didn't.
They came back to the presidents roll. There was me & one other lady left without a job. First they started harassing her, because up until now I had been quiet. However she was pregnant & didn't feel she could commit to the position. Right. All eyes fell on me. So I stupidly asked, "Ok, well what exactly does the position entail. Exactly what does the president do?" Well they made it sound sweet...
"Oh it's one of the easiest rolls! There is a bit of admin type stuff, you would chair the meetings & sign some cheques. It's mostly about deligating though."
I said...
" My husband will kill me!"
They said..
"no he wont, its really not that bad!"
So I said,
"I may regret this, but Ok."

I went home to Swift Jim. The first thing he asked was "What did you stick your hand up for?" (he knows me so well)... I reluctantly told him. He laughed! He laughed a lot.

President. PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!! *gulp*

So within the first two weeks I quickly learnt that it's not one of the easiest rolls. Infact, I'd say 3rd hardest!! The treasurer & secretary work harder than me. But I am there all the way helping them.
Did you know that when you are the president of a kindy you are the BOSS? Not the Director, you are HER boss?! YIKES. That means I have the power to hire & fire people!
I have not coped well at all with this responsibility this year, as I have had to execute these powers on a couple of occasions. Not nice!
I can quite easily admit that administration is not a gift or talent that God has gifted me with. I know that now! This year has stretched me in many ways, some for the better. However, the stretching of the waist band on my jeans is not such a good thing. I have put on almost 15 kilos this year. Stress is not good for me.
Now there is only 1 week left after this week of kindy. It is a busy one, since the beloved climbing tree decided to die & fall over with all the recent rain & storm events, but the end is near... and although I dont get to hand the roll over until early February, I am feeling somewhat excited at the prospect of not doing this ever again.
I must admit I have enjoyed working closely with the teachers & get to know them, as well as SOME of the other parents, but will I ever attend an AGM again? NO WAY!