We've got a new district commissioner. He's boring. Very boring. I'd go as far as saying he's possibly one of the most boring people I've come across since I got involved with Scouts - my son joined in 2003...
He thinks he's so funny and has spent the evening telling me the plans he has in store for the area. I've tried to muster the most enthusiasm I could.
I can see leaders either snoring or leaving. At least if they snore I can wake them up when he leaves the room...
And he wants meetings. Lots of meetings. He wants to have all the group leaders at a meeting.... I'm the group leader.
He wants to have a meeting for the scout leaders... I'm the scout leader...
He wants to have a meeing for the cub leaders... At least the two of us who do share that role.
I can see I need to clear my diary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I need smilies.
In fact, I could almost be bolshi and demand smilies. :-D
Or just learn the symbols for them all (which mean nothing to me!)
That's my moan for the day (I think it is. I may have moaned earlier and forgotten, as I moan so much they just blend into each other...)
Not meetings! That really IS a big yawn. Could you get a special pair of glasses and stick some drawings of eyes onto the lenses? Then you could secretly be asleep behind them and he would think you were awake, teehee.
When my son was a Cub, we got a new District Leader and there was an AGM. I faithfully attended as a supportive parent and so did about three other mums. The new leader shouted at everyone who had attended to say that attendance was appalling. Erm.......none of us ever went again, I think he was shouting at the wrong people.
I don't expect your new leader will go down very well either, sparkling lime!
I was speaking to the Explorer Scout leader earlier. They've already had their meeting :-D
Don't know if you remember me complaining about "this Michelle woman" who wanted to take over our group last year? Seems this district commissioner has taken her on to oversee all the groups.
I think it could well be the case here that leaders will be too busy to meet - and he had better not start yelling. The chap who's stood down was lovely, encouraging and thoughful. He has one heck of a giggle too. He'd give considerate and fair responses.
Need to see how it goes.
The Explorer leader agreed when I said that "this Michelle woman" would not be darkening our doors for long!
I feel an ominous shadow approaching.
It has been good though. And I think I'm up to a battle when it comes to Scouts!
I'm so glad that the smilies situation is being looked into. I've no idea why they're a comfort, but they are!!
Actually, I can claim petrol expenses, but never have as I enjoy the meetings so much...
You are so lovely sparklinglime, that you don't claim expenses as you enjoy the meetings, but do remember you are entitled to it, especially as you do such a sterling job.
I absolutley creased up at Louise's idea of sticky backed eyes! What a fab idea, Louise you are funny!
That is an excellent idea!
I'll get my daughter to do some eyes on my eye lids!!
That's right. You don't even need the glasses on, sparkling lime! just close your eyes and have a little daydream.
That reminds me of hurtling down the A1 recently at full pelt, in the dark, with lorries each side of us and I said to my friend, who was driving: "I am going to shut my eyes for this bit" and he said "Don't worry, so am I"
So you are going to see how it goes? The "ominous shadow" sounds like you think that might be this other lady?
It's great that you enjoy the meetings and you are a fab asset to them so hopefully this lady will keep her distance
I've decided my user name should be changed to moan-moan-moany-moan :-D
Well, afore mentioned chappy was on the phone for 40 minutes earlier. Meeting next week for group scout leaders (me), the week after for scout leaders (me) and the following week for the cub leaders (me).
Weekend training on 26 February (although I will be coming home to sleep!).
And of course Cubs and Scouts on Thursday.
I only did it because no one else would lol !!
We shall see how it goes. The group is growing now, so walking away won't be so hard now I know its doing ok.
And I'm definitely claiming expenses for all those meetings! Its not his fault I do what I do, to be fair, but I can see that leaders will leave - which he isn't worried about...
**sigh**
He sounds very insensitive (she said, tactfully!) I know you like a chat but 40 minutes!!! and meetings week after week! I know you are going to be thinking seriously about your time commitment with this group. It is good that you have put so much into it, not just for your children but for the whole community but you must also think of yourself in all this
I've been thinking of this a lot during the night - while watching figure skating :-) and I will give it until Easter, and if he is persistant I shall smile sweetly and say no, and hand in the keys.
It's quite liberating thinking that I've got to the point where I don't have the need to be needed.
I'll miss it I know... for at least a week. ;-)
Wow, sparkling lime that sounds like a breakthrough decision! You're right, you can't let yourself be engulfed by this.
Hi sparkling, he's just keeping you on your toes! He will know that he has a goodun in you, make him work for it!! :)
I like Claire-Louise's way of saying No, I think I will try that myself, because you are not lying when you say, I wish I could, because if you are anything like me, you do actually want to be helpful, useful and obliging at all times!
Have you got snow today?? It has been snowing all morning here, but not settling, which is driving me nuts!
What are your plans for the week?
Yesterday was the first morning without snow since Thursday! The children were quite glad too!!
The good side with the Scouts is that I have the confidence to say no, if you get my drift. Having spoken to the new disctrict commissioner too about the way the beaver leader makes me feel I'm out of order, and now knowing I'm not, has helped.
We'll see how it goes. :-)
I feel ok though either way. I agree too Claire-Louise about the multiple roles part. There are quite a few about who do this, so I'm sure they'll have a few objections to too many meetings.
Hi sparklinglime
Yes! Clear your diary you must! You have a very busy year ahead by sounds of it, in fact I think you must hire in an Au Pair to look after the children while you are in all these meetings and perhaps purchase a laptop so that you can take minutes and keep up to date reports!
Did you have a chance to tell him that all these meetings with yourself was going to be hugely time consuming and whether you would be entitled to petrol and food expenses, seeing as you are giving all this time for free?
We really do need smilies on these forums and I promise you we ARE looking into it.
I think in your position you are entitled to be bolshi and demand them, you are the leader of all meetings after all!
Is this chap expecting to be at all these meetings himself? Or is he just planning out your life for you? :)