More Voluntears
I’ve wanted to write about my PTA involvement but some of the stuff is so silly and petty, like arguments over how late a costume party should run, that writing about it made me feel even more silly and petty. So I decided to only offer the most absurd moments. Fortunately, the day before the school-wide Costume Party that I was organizing, I got this email from the woman who was my “acting” fundraising co-chair. (She was the person my original co-chair offered to help me after she quit.) Read our email exchange.
On 10/25/07 7:20 PM, “Motherblogger” wrote:
Hi you,
So the party is being moved inside as you anticipated since its supposed to rain so we don’t need to serve the hot chocolate/cider. It’ll probably be warm everywhere and that’s at least one last thing for you to worry about.
Thanks!
On 10/25/07 7:51 PM, wrote:
Well, I bought all the materials today and now have no need for two gallons of cider or two gallons of milk, in addition to having made the chocolate ganache today, the costs of which I was planning on donating rather than bill the PTA. Please do not say I can reimburse the expenses because that is not the point at all. Apologies if I sound more than a little annoyed but telling me at 7:23pm the night before doesn’t really help especially when I’ve been asking since yesterday if we were moving inside or outside. Did you really think at this time of night I wouldn’t have done my shopping for the materials?
I haven’t said anything about feeling shut out of helping with the fundraising activities but if this is the way communication is going to be then I’d rather donate my time and efforts to other endeavors. I’ve already told our president not to hesitate to ask me when she needs help and I will stay in touch with her. I will still take care of the holiday shopping days as promised. I just have to say that I was very excited having been a past student of the school myself and having grown up in the neighborhood but this was a disappointing experience. That saddens me very much. All I want to do is help the school, not get the run around and feel disenfranchised because someone is rubbed the wrong the way.
Best,

October 29th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I think it was the “thanks!” that sent her over the edge.