Losing my mind - a VENT

Have you ever been asked to do something, agree to do it and then want to bite your tongue because you really don't want to?

For several years, my husband and I hosted mid-career professionals for an international organization. The annual meeting is being held in Cleveland this July. I was asked to help with the registration. The annual meeting website above, has my name all over it. We are anticipating 250 individuals at the conference. The executive committee is coming in the Thursday before for their meetings and the board is coming in two days later for their meeting. We also have a lot of other events going on (reunions, host family gatherings, outings: R&R Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art , Severance Hall and the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Blossom Music Center, Cleveland Botanical Garden and House of Blues Cleveland.

The next thing I knew I was in charge of all registrations.* Okay, I can handle this. The deadline for registration was March 31. People could register with a $100 down payment but had to do so by March 31 with the balance due May 31.

Deadlines are a bear. While part of me is a stickler for deadlines, I often end up extending only because I think people are careless and busy and forget. I am still getting registrations. We put in the literature that late registrations would be accepted with a $100 charge.

Nevertheless, the PRESIDENT of the Board sent me an email the first of May saying that she thinks that there should be some leeway for the members of the Board.

Hmmmm, the Board knew the date of the conference and the details and deadlines last August. There is no reason whatsoever that any member of the Board should have registered late.

Then, to ease my burden, the organization hired a Conference Coordinator. Very cool. She is, unfortunately, a liability. She deletes emails, doesn't forward information and makes mistakes. Too much to go into at this point.

Bah humbug and all that other stuff! I am so frustrated that I have told one of the committee members that I won't be there. We will probably come out for the host family gathering but I am not going to take vacation time to do this. I was. I'm not. I'll probably change my mind.

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* At one point during our twice monthly meetings, it occurred to me that my role had expanded to include management of all facilities issues, meals and registration. I did end up telling the Director of CIPUSA that I wasn't doing it. I am doing the registrations. I am ordering all the stuff that will go into the participants totes.

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And, yes, the name of my blog is "Is no a complete sentence." Obviously, I have a problem saying no.