17 September 2005

I’m just a girl who can’t say no

Ok, I feel rather sheepish about admitting this, so be gentle with me, would you?

Does anyone remember my post after the last plot holders’ meeting? I talked about my unsociable attitude down the allotments and how I’m not really a ‘get involved’ kind of person. I did agree to do a sign, which I have recently finished (and very lovely it is too!). I also agreed to sort out the toilets, which I have not done. But no-one seems too worried about that at the moment. I think everyone just puts it on their compost…

There was another meeting today and I’ve had a bad feeling about it all week. I’ve been going on and on to Owen about how anxious I’ve been feeling about it and it turns out I should have listened to my instincts.

There were, at least, more people there today than before - almost all of us (that would be seven plot holders, plus hangers on, sorry, invaluable assistants). The plan was to elect a new committee since Reg, who has been the committee in its entirety for years, has now resigned.

‘Fine,’ think I. Let’s elect a committee. I’ll vote for anyone who is game enough to step forward. I can raise my hand or say ‘aye’. But I’m not going to volunteer for anything. I don’t even have time to keep my own plot under control and what with a new job and everything…’ So, we start with the post of Chairman. Oooh! I wonder who’ll want to do that. Maybe Ben? He’s all fired up about getting things done down here. Yes, Ben, he’d be good.’

But no. Ben thinks I should do it. I only realise this, however, when he proposes me for the post and asks for someone else to second the motion!

‘No. No way. Definitely not.’ At least, that’s what’s going through my mind. What actually cones out of my mouth is, ‘Just hold on a minute, what exactly does this involve?’ And so, after much discussion about the job description (calling meetings three times a year, sending out letters to plot holders to invite them to the meetings and something to do with distributing newsletters) I relent.

I know, I know - I should know better. I train people in assertiveness, for goodness’ sakes. I work with individuals over long periods of time to help them take control of their lives, to stand up for themselves and to learn to say ‘no’ to people. What am I like?

Well, I’m a softie. I do want to do what I can, and occasional bits of word processing are manageable for me. And I would hate it if we ended up losing the allotments because we weren’t able to motivate ourselves enough to try to get more people involved.

So, by the end of the meeting we had elected me as Chair, Ben as Secretary (which means he pretty much has to do everything that involves taking any kind of action) and John as Treasurer (though he was really not keen). And we had agreed to spend some money on a strimmer and a rotovator. So we got things done, at least.

And by the way, Owen, I saw you smirking when Ben nominated me - don’t think I’m going to let you get away with that!

Filed under: Plot politics — Clare @ 7:07 pm