Jan. 5, 2005 Dear Annie,
I belong to a fraternal organization that does charity work. Some of us have been members for 45 years! There's a new president this year, and he's been amazing. He runs circles around most of us; he has so much energy. The trouble is, along with that is his drive to be in charge of everything! He's a perfectionist like none other I have met in my seventy years, and he's sure he's always right. He usually is! After the Christmas basket project, in which he oversaw every little dolly and can of green beans going into each and every one of 40 baskets, a few ladies decided to quit. They've decided to be "busy" when it's time for the next project. I hate to see this happen. Please print this, and don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings. We're all too old to pretend we don't know what's going on here.
Marion B., Centralia, WA
Dear Marion,
A common problem in volunteer groups is that some of those who have the inclination, energy and time to do the work involved do it to feed their need to be in charge. Some control freaks cannot be involved unless they are in command. Sir President, please realize that you need to give the worker bees a voice in the tasks they help with. That's a key word here: Help. Do you want to do it all alone? Because that's where you're headed with your "I am king" attitude. These people survived before you and they will get along without you, too, but wouldn't it be better for you to take a step back, delegate some duties, and enjoy the creativity of the helpers you have there? Appreciate their input, and they'll value your opinions, too.
Annie
Please write to:
Annie, P.O. Box 1084, Eatonville,WA 98328
E-mail: letters_annie@hotmail.com
Past Ask Annies:
Jan. 5, 2005 New Gung Ho Leader in Volunteer Group
Dec. 22, 2004 Guy She Helped A Lot To Move To Packwood Found Packwood Lady
Dec. 8, 2004 Wife Drinks Too Much At Parties
Dec. 1, 2004 Holiday Spirit: Proud of Her Country, Co-workers and Family
Nov. 10, 2004 Bearded Guy's Wife Won't Shave Legs
Nov. 3, 2004 Daughter Finds Father's Remarriage Difficult
Oct. 27, 2004 The Bravest People Are The Elderly, and More About Bringing Guest Home to Crude Family
Oct. 20, 2004 Another Bringing New Beau Home to Rude Family plus This Divisive Election
Oct. 13, 2004 Bringing New Beau Home to Rude Family
Oct. 6, 2004 Recipe a guy can make: Cinnamon Rolls
Sept. 29, 2004 Stop complaining and appreciate what we have.
Sept. 22, 2004 It's the long-married who need the household gifts.
Sept. 15, 2004 How Do I Be The Bride's Maid?
Sept. 8, 2004 Political Signs in Morton Jubilee Parade
Aug. 11, 2004 Adjusting to the loss of loved ones and appreciating the family we have.
Aug. 4, 2004 Mom Was Right About The Guy & Reply to a Critic Of Proud To Be An American
July 28, 2004 Go See and Enjoy Your Family
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