Know your strengths and choose your battles
In baseball, it’s referred to as a “double header”. In my workplace, the name is shorter: “Bad luck”. I happened to end up with some overtime duty, on Friday evening and again Saturday morning. Don’t worry for my health, as I still sleep nights, but this weekend will seem very short.
Actually, my shift this morning had some interesting content. A workshop on how to effectively work in committee. All too often, such things can be confrontational, but the superstructure of state requires people to sit and parlay their way to a greater good. Better if those involved are shown techniques for success.
First of all (I’m doing this from memory), know your responsibilities and limits. No sense trying to capture the flag when all that is available is the pole. Take the time to study the agenda before the meeting, rather than trying to find hidden words in the puzzle sheet. Don’t be a “one string banjo” – sure, your favourite topic is important, but this might not be the time or place. Pick your battles.
The underlying body of law (in the context of education) is important. Nothing ended up in there because of random typing.
No committee lasts forever (much as you might feel otherwise), and you aren’t expected to join as a new member with mastery of everything. If you are anointed to “the chair”, remember to be like Solomon in your wisdom. Taking sides might work for football fans, but your job is to arbitrate, not cheer. If the rules of order offer a “double vote”, remember that you are there to break the tie. The knot, if you will. Then, rebundle the sticks and make the load easier to carry.
Enough for today.
