Are you the fresh face at school looking forward to getting involved with all kinds of new ideas? Or are you the grizzled veteran, maybe a bit tired, who’s seen these same ideas tried in the past?

If you’re either one, please take just 5 minutes to read “A Tale of Two Volunteers.”

We all do better when we take the couple of extra minutes or extra steps to see things from others’ perspective and be a bit careful with our words and actions.

If you really want to grow involvement and improve your group, you have to welcome new volunteers and even patiently and smilingly (not dismissively!) discuss their new ideas.

Check these resources on getting along with all kinds of volunteer types:

• Keeping the Peace in Your PTO


• From Controversy to Consensus

 
P.S. I hope you’re using TeacherLists.com for your school’s Teacher Wish Lists this year. The site is making a huge difference for teachers and schools (and kids!). This fall, we’re actually giving five schools that get at least 10 wish lists up on the site -- and share them with parents -- $1,000 prizes to fulfill teacher wishes. Very cool. Learn more about theTeacher Wishes Granted $1,000 Wish List Sweepstakes.