I am not a support group leader anymore. For four years, I poured hours and hours each week--physically, mentally, and emotionally--into serving our support group. A year ago I gave my notice and then stepped off the board at the first of August (the beginning of our new year). I began as the newsletter editor/communications coordinator and ended as a communications support person and as part of the enrichment class team.
Our group's mission has always been to support and encourage area homeschooling families in various ways. But keeping one's eyes on the mission is difficult in the midst of dissension. And there is nearly always dissension. Homeschoolers are an independent and opinionated lot in general. Some are downright difficult. Right now I am heavy with empathy as our leadership struggles with rumors and hearsay. What is so difficult about being in leadership is that you just can't tell "the whole story" without airing "the victim's" (and I say that with very large quotes around the word) dirty laundry. You have to trust the Lord that all secrets will be revealed in their own time, and that the Truth will prevail. Phew. That is hard to do when your name is being dragged through the red clay. Even if only a couple of people are doing the dragging.
But here's what pulls a leader through: the sweet voices of encouragement. It is in our nature as humans to dwell on those tiny out-of-tune soloists of criticism while ignoring the choir of support. Isn't that crazy? And here is my message to anyone who belongs to a support group: let your leaders know you appreciate them. Send them emails. Tell them how important the group is to them. Don't buy into the rumors you might hear circulating, and by all means, don't participate in the speculation that stems from such situations. Chances are that most members have no idea of the dramas that go on, because I have seen gentle, kind-hearted women take a verbal beating and go on to plan classes or prepare an upcoming seminar with smiles on their faces. Don't forget to pray for your leaders. And if you have something you can add to a group--and everyone does--don't hesitate to offer. There is nothing more encouraging to a leader that these two phrases: "Thank you!" and "How can I help?"
Comments
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by debbiecorley
Just checking in to say hello. Sorry Wonderworks wasn't what you hoped. We haven't been yet. Maybe we won't go after the glowing review you gave! HA!
Christy is one of my all time favorite books! Enjoy!
Deb
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - Your kind words brought
Posted by arajbrown
a steady stream of needed tears and a sense of gratitude that words can't really convey effectively.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by hsmomof2
Oh, you are so right. My group is very small but we still have troubles. I took over as leader this year to keep the group going - no one else would/could do it. I've experienced mothers getting mad at other mothers, mothers getting mad at others' kids, people who don't fulfill the obligations they took on... oh my. The only things that have kept me going are the 3 close friends who are part of the group who encourage me, and the fact that at the end of this "school year" my term will be up. I think the group may dissolve at that point, but I will have moved away. If we weren't moving, I'd still let it dissolve rather than lead again... sad to say, but the truth!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - Congratulations-you've been awarded a...
Posted by ApplesofGold
Thinking Blogger award! Go to my blog to see it. Here are the rules:
All you have to do is post an entry explaining about Thinking Blogger awards, post a link to the original source of it & the rules:
http://www.thethinkingblog.com/2007/02/thinking-blogger-awards_11.HTML
I took the rules off this blog, but you can paste them off mine, too.
Also, here's a link to the award so you can download it, put it in photobucket and then put it on your blog:
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/5020/thinkingbloggerpf8.JPG
Holly
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - Thanks!!!
Posted by Blogless Leigh
I appreciate your comfort and support. It is hard, especially when you are trying to help your group for without help there would be no group. I don't think enough people realize that.
Love you!
~L
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by StillHisGirl
Wow...we have nothing like that here, and I didn't even know people had such organized groups! Sounds like a lot of work! We've definitely experienced in other arenas (church, sports, etc) how difficult (opinionated, unyielding, harsh, critical) homeschoolers can be. My heart goes out to those in the situation you described. What a ministry they are doing!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - too lazy (still)
Posted by Anonymous
my friend bestsister and I are in the process right as we speak of deciding if we want to job shadow for positions of Directors. I am not sure I want the job for a lot of reasons, but the biggest being the problem of dissention.
am I still really talking about homeschool Christians?
Kristina
Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Re: Lost
Posted by Amy Beth<><
I think Juliet is playing both of them. Kate was kissing Sawyer! :-D
Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by grace4gayle
Such good encouragement.
We quietly stepped down from leadership hoping to not cause a scandal and one ensued anyway. Yuck, the name through the mud thing was hard to take but we lived.
Gayle
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Redbud
Great reminder. Sadly, it's so much easier to gripe & whine for so many of us. Frankly, I don't think I could handle being a support group leader.
