Instead of making several phone calls I have set up the following schedule for the 10:45 service in the Toddler's Class; however, please arrive at 10:25 to greet the parents and children. If for some reason you are unable to help on this particular date, please do not hesitate to call the church office at xxx-xxxx so that other arrangements can be made. Thank you for serving in the nursery area. (These little ones are great, aren't they? ) [Yes, there was actually a smiley.]
June 27, 2004: So-n-so, So-n-so.
July 4, 2004: So-n-so, So-n-so.
July 11, 2004: So-n-so, So-n-so.
July 18, 2004: So-n-so, So-n-so.
July 25, 2004: So-n-so, So-n-so.
August 1, 2004: So-n-so, So-n-so.
August 8, 2004: Connie or Mike Sloan, So-n-so.
August 15, 2004: So-n-so, So-n-so.
Now it's quite possible that there's no reason to be annoyed here. Perhaps Mama wrote down somewhere that we'd be willing to help. I know nothing about that, but if she did that's fine.
I suspect she didn't, though, and this is someone's idea of a way to avoid having to ask people to help. Easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right? (Funny that today's rerun of West Wing hit on this exact issue -- Toby decides to announce that Senator suchandsuch has accepted the position on the blue ribbon commission for whatever, because it's hard for him to say afterward that he didn't agree to it after getting the good press.) I could maybe even deal with that, but for one thing -- it's not signed. Whoever it was who decided to approach it in this way neglected to identify herself (I'm guessing it's a her, since most if not all childcare things are run by women at our church, but it's not my intention to be sexist). Maybe it was an oversight, or maybe she assumes everyone knows it was her. I'll try not to ascribe motives. But am I wrong in thinking this is less than the best way of handling Sunday School needs?
Anyway, I guess I just wanted to post a short little rant, and I think someone else already complained about the number of Dobies and their lack of any humor whatsoever, so I needed something else. Sorry, but I didn't sleep well last night -- Mooselet's nose bled repeatedly through the night, and I probably just had some general insomniacal issues.
--Pop
[Edit because every now and then this thing decides to remove a blank line.]
[ June 22, 2004, 05:02 PM: Message edited by: Papa Moose ]
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
But, don't you have a toddler in the class?
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Tell them you're going to do a special candy craft with the children - Satan on a Stick. I bet you'll never get signed up again.
space opera
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Does the list exclude anyone that you feel it should include, such as other parents of children that use the facility? Just curious. The inclusion of "teen helpers" is puzzling.
Also, are you the only couple where either parent is listed?
and it is weird that it isn't signed by anyone.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I have a toddler in the class, and I'm not against helping or being asked to help. But I wasn't asked.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Many children's classes have a mandatory parent-helping-out policy. It's not unusual...
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
For us, when you put your kid in the class they sign you up automatically. It makes sense.
edit: Bweh.
[ June 22, 2004, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: PSI Teleport ]
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I assume that Teen Helpers refers either to some teenagers who have volunteered, or who have volunteered in the past and as such are assumed to be willing to help again. I recognize several of the names of teenagers as well as other adults, and we aren't the only couple listed as "or."
Also, it doesn't sound like I'm being "asked" to help, but rather to lead (and the teens are the "helpers"). That's a different kettle of fish, and if it is the case, I'm even more annoyed.
--Pop
Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :
Yes, you are obligated to help out in this situation.
No. It is not right for them to assume that you are free and able to do so.
Kick their butt! (Oh, this is church, isn't it?)
I guess you volunteered, dude!
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I can accept having a mandatory parent-helping-out policy, but I expect to be told about it. There was no fine print for me to read, even if I thought that were an appropriate course of action for them to take.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
We have a paid, trained nursery attendant in our church. Teens/other adults are welcome to spend time and help out, but are NOT left alone with the children. That requires such things as background checks and other licensing mandates.
And when people try to volunteer me for stuff in a way that is less than "up front" shall we say (I.e., Could you help with . . . OR I ask, Do you need help with) then I smile sweetly and say the following words (which you may borrow): "I'll prayerfully consider that and get back to you."
And unsigned letters with "smilies" coming from the church would make me a wee bit curious as to the administration . . . very peculiar indeed . . .
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I guess she didn't want to be identified since she doesn't want calls directly to her, and only to the church office.
I'd call the church office and ask who it was that sent the letter. For all you know they might not be aware that they are the contact point!
AJ
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Good point, AJ, about the church office not realizing that absent a name, this is going out in their name.
Of course, I've forgotten to ID myself in correspondence a time or to. If it was deliberate, it stinks, but in bringing it up, give them the benefit of the doubt I think.
But maybe this person changed their legal name to . Maybe it's the artist formerly known as Prince.
[ June 22, 2004, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: pooka ]
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
So is it just from the church's address?
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Yeah -- preprinted envelope with church name, logo, and address.
We'll undoubtedly just talk this Sunday to the person who runs the Toddler Class. Probably from her anyway.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:But maybe this person changed their legal name to .
pooka, I'm so glad you're here, and I'm so glad you're you.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I have to confess, if it hadn't been for the string of lame Dobies this afternoon, I might well have entitled this thread "Hey Pops, You have a Duty to Perform." And I considered it anyway. I'm such a hypocrite....
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
What a great idea! Next time I’m trying to recruit people to do something I’ll just send out a schedule assuming they’ve all already said yes! Mwuhahahah!
Oh wait. That would be wrong. Very wrong. Darn it. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Our choir director did that exact thing. I got a call Sunday morning saying I was expected in choir practice. This was a surprise, since I usually improve the choir by staying away, but oh, okay. I'll be there.
Later, when I was talking to him, he said something about choir and I mentioned that I was dead certain I had never signed up. Turns out he had lost the list, but not until after he entered everyone in his phone. To recreate the list, he went through his phone and put down everyone in the ward back onto the list. Okay...that explains a number of puzzled faces. Posted by Anthro (Member # 6087) on :
Eh, ethics stink. A+ to the letter writer for the easy approach to the problem.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Pops, this reminds me of a Malcolm in the Middle show, where the family joins a church to get childcare for the baby. Then, one day, it is the mom's turn, but she has no clue of the policy that it is a shared duty.
Anyway...it sounds like it wasn't clearly stated that you have to help in the nursery. It makes sense to some extent, but I think it is better with smaller children when there is consistency in care.
Our Sunday school is all volunteer, and the same people do it every week. The minister peppers us with guilt if there is an opening that needs to be filled. (take note, dkw, if the other methiod doesn't work)
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