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What Would You Think and Do?
Situation:
Our school has a CARE Committee that provides for things like births, weddings, death, sickness, etc. This is pretty common in schools. The committee takes up fees at the beginning of each year and uses the dues to provide for people's needs.
This committee has ALWAYS had some issues with stuff because it means so many different things to everyone. Some people get pissed that they have to pay because they are done having kids and/or have been married for 30 years. They aren't having any more "life changes." Don't get me started on how you would appreciate the support/love/care from the group when we send you flowers and a card when something happens to one of your loved ones or yourself. Ahem.
Anyway, we were informed today (not by the committee, but by a person of power in the front office) that we would be giving several 3 members the traditional 50$ giftcard, and ALSO a basket for each grade level to "chip in on" and fill with things. Our principal just had his 3rd child, a speech teacher is pregnant, and one of my teammates got married in September. We are giving them giftcards. WHY do we now need to give them a basket with stuff in it?
My team has gone to showers and done things for our newly married teammate. We are "done" with getting more stuff. When I brought this up to the "creator" of the basket idea, she said that other people could get/give her stuff. Maybe it's just me, but if I don't know you well, I'm not going to get you a gift just because there is a basket set out. I mean, you're already getting a 50$ giftcard from the staff. That is very nice and generous.
I guess my whole point/ramble is this:
WHY DO WE PAY DUES IF WE ARE GOING TO DO EXTRA STUFF FOR PEOPLE? What did I pay for???
It would be one thing if we as a third grade team were going to throw her an extra wedding shower or something (already done it), but why would other staff members who don't know her want to go in and buy her more gifts? I am worried that the Principal's basket is going to be blinged out (cuz hello, he's the Principal) and that the other two girls' baskets will be sad/pathetic. And it's like a public presentation. Given to them all in front of the staff at a lunch next week. Awwwwwwwwwwwkward.
What are your thoughts on the dues/extra stuff? Is this just stupid and over reactory?
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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I think there should not be any basket of gift card committee. Presents should be given WHEN you want to , and to WHOM you want and cost what you are comfortable with spending. Period. IT should not be mandatory!
ReplyDeleteWe have a Social Committee that helps out with/plans our staff parties and planning day breakfasts. We sometimes end up taking up extra money for people too. Joining the social committee at our school is not manditory...but you have to pay full price at the holiday and end of year party.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you. Ours is the same concept....we call it sunshine. However, when sunshine puts on a lunch and then makes us pay $5 for pizza after we pay $30 for the year--it irks me. Like, a lot.
ReplyDeleteI think that if ya'll have already done something for them then should be enough. I could see maybe if you were great friends with a certain teacher and chose to do something else on your own. I could also see where if it was a tragedy (death/loss due to fire, tornado, etc.) and ya'll felt led to do something extra special but again that would be up to each individual or group as they chose to do extra. If ya'll already gave showers for these people to I don't see why they would be doing extra. Especially at Christmas time when people can barely afford to get what they need to for their family. Yes I know it is the season for giving.......but.............
ReplyDeleteI think the basket thing is a little ridic. We have an empathy committee which does the same thing as your CARE committee. IF we do extra stuff for peeps, we have showers after school put on by the department and people either come or not, depending on how well they know the person.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with LG! Thoughtful things should be done because a person wants to, not because it's mandatory!
ReplyDeleteYou know how I feel. I second lots of the above comments.
ReplyDeleteS :)