November 15, 2017

Well, life goes on.  And so does the PTA.

Today I attended a lunch meeting with all of the other PTA Presidents and their Principals.  I learned that my principal has been chosen to open the new middle school next year, so I had lunch with the assistant principal, Mr. Sharp.  We had a great training about suicide prevention, and then talked together about how to best help our students.  I am anxious to help as many students as I can, but I also felt the need to simplify my PTA work.  I've got a lot going on.

You know, I've been thinking a lot this week about why I would have felt impressed to be the PTA President.  It was completely out of the blue.  I saw a few emails asking for a PTA president for the next year, and I ignored them.  Then a third email came.  Something inside of me said, "You should do this."  The crazy thing is that I hadn't been involved in the PTA at ALL!  I knew they would be having a meeting that week and I decided I would go and volunteer.  I texted the former president letting her know, and to my surprise, she didn't respond.  On the day of the meeting, I had a million other things to do.  I was late, and Lance fell asleep on the way.  I had my little boys and I had to carry Lance in my arms.  But, somehow, I still went into that meeting.  I was clueless.  Finally they said, "We really need to find a new PTA President for next year."  I quietly raised my hand.  Then I simply said, "I'll do it."  Everyone else was shocked.  They all knew WAY better than me what I was getting into!!  And I was way in over my head.  Mostly due to my inexperience.

I didn't know that there were training meetings all year for the president-elects.  I didn't know that most presidents know a whole year in advance and serve on the PTA board at their schools prior to being president.  I didn't know anything.

So, this week, in particular, I've pondered on all of this.  Why did I ever agree to that?  I wasn't bored or faced with lots of extra time.  And everyone thought I was crazy.  Including Greg.

And then I realized that it has really stretched me.  I was SO nervous at first to conduct the meetings and speak at the general parent meeting and organize the budget.  But as the year has gone on, I've gained confidence.  I've met new people and gotten to know some really great women.  I've learned to feel comfortable with the school administrators and the big wigs at the district.  I dare speak up and share my thoughts and give my ideas.  I've learned to organize and deal with an official organization with laws and rules and committees.  As I've stretched myself beyond my comfort zone, I've been amazed at what I can do.

So now I am faced with another leadership opportunity.  And I can feel the lessons I've learned about leading and delegating and getting organized helping me so much now.  I have to wonder if I was prompted to do the PTA because it would help me now in Relief Society.  Either way, I'm so grateful for the ways I've grown.  I'm grateful for the things I've learned.  I'm still nervous.  But I know that with this calling, and with everything in my life, the Lord will help me.  I just couldn't do it without Him.