Very Petty and Nasty Post
I received an email today that made me want to scream, cry, tear my hair out and send poisonous emails to several people. So I'm blogging it instead.

One of the hats I wear as a school volunteer is to administer a PTA database that stores information for the school directory among other things. I've spent several weeks of full days entering/deleting/changing information in addition to fielding email requests in response to a number of emails I have sent encouraging parents to check their information in the database. The folder I set up for the database comment emails holds over 200 emails, and shows that I responded to more than half of them. It is hard to explain in writing how much work and time and energy I have put into this project.

There were two of us working with this, but I am certain I did most of the work so far. The other volunteer had a family crisis and was unable to help for a week. She also works full time and could only help evenings and weekends. Unfortunately the database is not set up so the parents can actually change their own info. They need to suggest changes in a form field and the directory volunteers do the data entry. I don't know why it was set up this way, but cannot change it.

A bug was found in the database and we lost several parent comments and changes that were made. Normally I would have let the directory volunteers do the majority of the work, but because of the problems that were encountering I somehow felt responsible. There are two directory volunteers (not counting me) and one of them chose to do the ads instead of the database entry. She also seems to be taking the lead.

So, I've put in more than 100 hours in the past month and I think that is a low estimate. I've put everything else, including making money, on hold. The house is a mess, I've given up work from my real job that I could have done and I've not done things for or with the family because I've been working on the database instead.

So, the email. The directory volunteer that is taking the lead sent the following email out today:


Hi all-

Wendy and I wanted to update you on where the directory stands:

(1) The database has been completely worked over by Wendy four times (at
last count!) Data has been entered, reentered, checked, rechecked, and
still we don't feel confident that this list is complete or accurate. Every
time we go into the database, there are problems to address.

It would be useful to have two or three volunteers go through the entire
list on the database-- checking against paper requests, checking the changed
online records. We will provide these volunteers with emailed and paper
requests. It would also be useful to have at least one person at this point
editing a printout of the database in "directory form," looking for
abnormalities or weird references, and then making corrections to the
masterbase. I could email this person my download which I've put into 9
point type (just as easy to read as 10 point, and saves the PTSA a few
bucks).

There are some universal changes that need to be made by Dona or someone
more familiar with systems than me (ie. how to get rid of all the 301 area
codes).

There are some decisions to be made -- ie. what do you do if someone doesn't
want their phone or address published? Just list the student's name? Just
list the student's name and a parent's email? What do you do if a parent
wants more than 1 email address for themselves, and the ex wants another
email address? Do we limit each parent to one published email?

We need at least one volunteer to check this database list against Pyle's
list of students. I have requested a copy from Ms. Baran, who has turned
over my request to Ms. Vogel. Ms. Baran says this request may not be
possible. I have explained that last year's directory had 82 pages of
students. This year's directory currently has 64 pages (comparing both in
10 pt type). This year's may be a little longer than that when properly
formatted, but there's still a big discrepancy when you consider that there
are 1,380 students enrolled this year. I believe that's slightly more than
last year.

(2) We continue to struggle to get the information for the front pages of
the directory. Since the Pyle office still has not given us the Principal's
Committees and the members of each, Wendy has had to solicit this info from
individuals on the committees in a piecemeal fashion. I was in touch with
the office today trying to pick up the last piece of the School Staff
list -- the Support Staff. So far, we haven't been able to get that, but
Ms. Baran believes it's either in Ms. Vogel's computer or printed on the
back of one of the other staff lists. I've offered to have them fax or
email it to me, whatever's easiest for them.

(3) The ads are compiled. Last Thursday at his request I gave Jay my memory
stick with the ads and instructions for sizing and other fine tuning. Jay,
please let us know where that work stands, or if you anticipate additional
costs in making the ads camera-ready. I've obtained scanned copies of most
of the ads that were not in digital form. Jay, you said you have scanning
capability, so if you could scan the Crane Homes ad from last year's
directory, that would be great. I think that's the last ad that requires
scanning.

(4) I've passed along my three print estimates to Jay (last year's printer /
a past year's printer and also Whitman parent / a new printer and also Pyle
parent). I understand Jay is now exploring additional print options.

(5) Parents are understandably calling the Pyle office asking when the
student directory will be out. Should we put out a note on Pylenet
explaining that we're experiencing some unforseen problems with the student
database this year? Can we reasonably assure parents they will receive
their directories by Halloween? We should figure in 3 weeks for printing.

Wendy, if I've forgotten anything crucial, please chime in.

Thanks everyone!

Adrienne



Here is my question. Where am I mentioned in that paragraph? Did I do nothing? Were my over 100 hours of work unimportant?

Later I got another email, this time from one of the PTSA co-presidents who was cced on the above email:


Hi all-

Our directory co-chairs, Wendy and Adrienne have had a rough go of things lately -- our
database has failed several times -- and are in need of
assistance. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact
Adrienne directly at email deleted for privacy.

It would be useful to have two or three volunteers go through
the entire list on the database-- checking against paper
requests, checking the changed online records. We will provide
these volunteers with emailed and paper requests. It would
also be useful to have at least one person at this point editing a
printout of the database in "directory form," looking for
abnormalities or weird references, and then making corrections
to the masterbase. I could email this person my download
which I've put into 9 point type (just as easy to read as 10
point, and saves the PTSA a few bucks).

We need at least one volunteer to check this database list
against Pyle's list of students. This year's directory currently
has 64 pages (comparing both in 10 pt type). This year's may
be a little longer than that when properly formatted, but there's
still a big discrepancy when you consider that there are 1,380
students enrolled this year. I believe that's slightly more than
last year.


Again, where is my name? Where is it written that I've put in a lot of time?

Another email just came in from the other co-president:

Hi Adrienne -- Many thanks to you and Wendy for tackling what has become a very big and difficult job. I am happy to help do whatever editing of data is necessary in the next few days, or the cross checking against the student list. Karen and I will talk and answer your other questions in more detail later today. We'll also work on getting the student list and the staff info from the administration.

Um. No thanks for me?

I'm not volunteering for any more of this crap. I'm giving up the email list and the database at the end of the year.

Last year at the first PTSA meeting that I was required to attend the two co-presidents thanked the directory people and even though I had put in a lot of work helping out, got no thanks at all. Nor have I ever heard or seen a thank you, for doing the email list from the powers that be.

I know I should just swallow my pride and get on with life. I know I am being petty.

All I want is some recognition for the work I have put in. Is that too much to ask?