After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
For years, I put time and effort into several horse clubs. I fully believe in giving back and volunteering one's time. I was president of a state club for two years, treasurer of another for nearly three years, secretary of one of my GMO's schooling shows for six years, and did all sorts of odds and ends whenever I was needed. For a wide variety of reasons, mostly the ridiculous drama, I pulled back from volunteering. Also, it was time to focus on ME and to make some major life changes.
At the end of 2017, I found a breed and discipline specific club that seemed worth joining. I had never heard of the club and I am not going to bother listing the name of the club, as that is not really what is important. I thought maybe Ellie and I could submit points and potentially win a year end. When I sent in my membership form, I checked off the little box at the bottom where it asked if I would be willing to volunteer. I specifically chose newsletter and writing, because I figured I could write an article or help proofread or something. I already write a Class Notes column three times a year for my collegiate alumni magazine, so I thought writing about horsey things would be fine.
All seemed fine.
Then randomly the other day, I get an email saying thank you for volunteering to help with the newsletter. The membership person CC'ed the newsletter editor and I happily replied to both that I was willing to help however I could. I explained I liked to write and could also edit.
Then a different (third) person emailed me yesterday saying thank you for taking over the newsletter since the former editor left the board. She said she was willing to answer any questions to help "ease me into the position".
Um, what?
I had to read the email a few times to be sure. Indeed, it sounded like they were under the impression I had agreed to take over full creation and publication of their newsletter. Now, don't get me wrong, this is something I am totally capable of but certainly not in any life space to do so. I've been a member for three weeks. I have read exactly one of their newsletters, the January edition that just came out. I have no idea who these people are. I just thought I was being kind to offer a small part of myself, not to take over something I know nothing about.
I had to carefully word my return email last night , because I didn't want to offend anyone but I also had to be clear that taking over an entire newsletter is NOT my intention. I haven't heard back yet, and maybe I won't, but MAN how freaking strange.
I get it that clubs and organizations have a hard time finding volunteers and can get desperate for help. But this is just...weird. Maybe they just assumed I would do it, maybe there is just a huge communication error, but I am still confused. I hate to say it, but this is why I don't even want to bother to volunteer. I'm just going to stick to my myself and my little farm. Way easier LOL!
At the end of 2017, I found a breed and discipline specific club that seemed worth joining. I had never heard of the club and I am not going to bother listing the name of the club, as that is not really what is important. I thought maybe Ellie and I could submit points and potentially win a year end. When I sent in my membership form, I checked off the little box at the bottom where it asked if I would be willing to volunteer. I specifically chose newsletter and writing, because I figured I could write an article or help proofread or something. I already write a Class Notes column three times a year for my collegiate alumni magazine, so I thought writing about horsey things would be fine.
I checked off newsletter, write articles, and put "social media" under other |
Then randomly the other day, I get an email saying thank you for volunteering to help with the newsletter. The membership person CC'ed the newsletter editor and I happily replied to both that I was willing to help however I could. I explained I liked to write and could also edit.
Then a different (third) person emailed me yesterday saying thank you for taking over the newsletter since the former editor left the board. She said she was willing to answer any questions to help "ease me into the position".
Um, what?
I had to read the email a few times to be sure. Indeed, it sounded like they were under the impression I had agreed to take over full creation and publication of their newsletter. Now, don't get me wrong, this is something I am totally capable of but certainly not in any life space to do so. I've been a member for three weeks. I have read exactly one of their newsletters, the January edition that just came out. I have no idea who these people are. I just thought I was being kind to offer a small part of myself, not to take over something I know nothing about.
I had to carefully word my return email last night , because I didn't want to offend anyone but I also had to be clear that taking over an entire newsletter is NOT my intention. I haven't heard back yet, and maybe I won't, but MAN how freaking strange.
I get it that clubs and organizations have a hard time finding volunteers and can get desperate for help. But this is just...weird. Maybe they just assumed I would do it, maybe there is just a huge communication error, but I am still confused. I hate to say it, but this is why I don't even want to bother to volunteer. I'm just going to stick to my myself and my little farm. Way easier LOL!
It's so tough. These organizations are run by a few people who finally burn out and quit. Then someone is 'volunteered'. I have had that happen too. I used to run and volunteer at a few ogranizations as well. I became burnt out trying to show and volunteer at the same time. I pulled back and now just volunteer when I can.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think I would be more ok with it had I been a member for a while and maybe helped out, wrote articles, etc. But to be thrown in was just totally off putting to me.
Deletei had a total newsletter dumped on me for a club and did it for a whole year till i finally said UMMM enough. It was HORRIBLE wrangling content and getting deadlines met. I never really did get a thank you either. Lesson learned. I cant believe i Did it as long as i did i am an idiot! LOL I love that kind of stuff too.....but....being taken advantage of like that was not in the cards. SO glad you called it out before it got dumped on you. :(
ReplyDeletePS i am a not a member of said club anymore. There was a lot of drama at that club and it ws just exhausting. I hope the new person doing the newsletter likes drama ;) HA
Uggg, I hear you. I have discovered many of our local clubs are full of crazy people who thrive on drama. NO THANKS!!
Deletei actually ENJOYED the newsletter part and did a great job (I Think) But omg the president was just insane :) LOL as were others.....
DeleteThat is pretty nuts and I would have also done a double take!
ReplyDeleteI felt like such a heel for saying "thanks anyway" but yikes!
DeleteThose volunteer suggestions are all a little intense. My GMO's are more along the lines of scribing, ring steward, runner, etc--things that require no real skill or commitment aka things people are actually likely to participate in!
ReplyDeleteI agree! And even weirder, this is a national service organization that works under the breed registry. They seem to have a large membership base, and it makes me wonder why none of the current members are willing to help...?
DeleteI bet they saw you offer to help and got all excited figuring they could sneak you into the head spot. These clubs have a tough time getting people to join and do the work, but this is no way to get newbies involved.
ReplyDeleteI think you are spot on. I am definitely willing to help, but give me a chance to be a new (clueless) member for a while haha! ;-)
Deleteoh man - I got sooo burnt out volunteering for clubs...I actually resigned from all but one last year. These new folks were a tad presumptuous to try and dump the whole newsletter on you!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that is exactly what got me, is how presumptuous it was. And even after I said "no, thank you", I got a reply that said, wellllllll how about we help you A LOT in the beginning and then you take over by the end of the year? :-(
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