Presidency at Playcentre

This month I come to the end of my term as President of the Wairarapa Playcentre Assn, I have held this role for 4 years and now its some one else's turn. We call this emergent leadership in Playcentre, it gives others a chance to gain new skills and confidence.
So what have I gained from my turn,
the best thing I have gained is friendship from a wide spectrum of people I may not have worked with in other times in my life. We all have one thing in common, children, and it brings us together for the greater good....god that sounds like a cult, but no its just motherhood and wanting the best start for our little terrors.

I've learnt sometimes you need to lead and some times you need to follow. My experiences allowed me to guide the centres when needed, especially through new experiences like regulation updates and other times the centres guided me with their ideas and experiences.
I learnt everybody brings something different to the mix and different ways of thinking. It took me a while to realise it didn't always have to be done a certian way and to question why we do things.This has been good for trimming of all the extra jobs that can slowly creep up on you when you are not looking or revising the way we do things to keep it simple. We are all mums, volunteers and our time is precious so we needed to make the best use of it.
I learnt there are background people who just get on and get the job done like the lovely Denise. She has been with Playcentre for a long time now and just quietly works away in the office doing what needs to be done and reminding others what needs to be done. She is unflappable, loyal, funny, and works well under pressure. I call her the hub of our wheel because without her the wheel could have easily fallen off!

 Denise also reminds me its ok to put family first when its all getting a bit much for me.
 Thanks Denise.
There are people who make me think outside the square like Kate Milne who always plays devils advocate on tricky issues and gives me different solutions to consider. Andie Collett reminds me what the basics of Playcentre are about and helps me relax when things aren't going to plan.

Liz has shown me a different way of working.......concentrated efforts for 15 mins and its all done! LOL!

I've learnt people appreciate what I do, Tasmin and Denise nominated me for the Carterton Volunteer award which made me feel humbled and very proud. Thanks ladies.
I've learnt that parents can be valued as first teachers and there are several thousand of us who do it everyday in Playcentres all around the country. Attending national meetings remind you of this every time. I also learnt a lot of learning goes on in the social enviroment at national meetings, morning tea lunch and dinner! This is were I get to ask questions and listen for new ideas. I also learnt that attending a meeting in a new town doesn't mean you have actually seen said town, you get to see the airport and the hotel and thats it!



I've also learnt you can chair meetings with a baby on your booby or asleep in your arms and that a meeting can be held anywhere like the sandpit at East Playcentre or the pub in Eketahuna. I've also learnt people need social time as well as meeting time to build relationships and catch up with each other, this is officially called team building and there is a budget for it!

Its also really important to say thank you, I know myself I will do more if I feel appreciated, (at home the only time my work gets noticed is if I don't do it!) and people like to have their efforts acknowledged.
There have been many many people who have inspired, annoyed, supported, taught, made it onto my hit list, and made me laugh so far on my Playcentre journey, they have all given me pleasure...some as they come and some as they go! I hope the next President learns just as much as I did.....and keeps team building in the budget!