Living with Elections

Last fall, I enrolled my sons in a new school for a myriad of reasons. Newly unemployed, I longed to attach myself to the parent teacher association so I could stay connected to my children. This was a regret I had due to many years of working (slaving) in corporate America with minimal results--that I wasn't able to be more active with my sons' schools. I met the outgoing president of the PTA and became inspired to get involved...even to run for office. Because of my suggestions, he said I should think about the presidency, but I declined because I didn't know the administration, was unfamiliar with the parent base, policies, procedures....

I placed my name in nomination for VP and, due to some interesting circumstances, was 'asked' to submit my name for president. Because of my previous observations, I was reluctant, but did, anyway.

When I entered the room the evening of the elections, I was told that my name had been shifted back to the VP slot. I was mildly disappointed, but more so relieved. I began to prepare my personal statement. The lady sitting across the table from me rose and walked over to the executive table. "I have reconsidered, I will submit my name for VP."

What? I said to myself. My speech has to be good because she is known in this school.

I made my speech with all the things I was committed to doing and seeing accomplished. Just prior to the vote, my opponent's daughter came over to the table, looked at me, and said, "I'm sorry, but my mother is going to win this election."

"Well, in that case, it will be just one thing that God says I don't need right now." My response stunned both the young lady and her mother. I meant it. I lost the election.

It didn't matter to me. After the meeting, I went to talk to the newly elected president, pledging my support in whatever way I could.

Within 2 weeks, I had a call from the elected VP stating that according to the bylaws, there needed to be 3 VPs and the two previously defeated contenders were being offered the positions. I accepted.

By the next PTA meeting, when we had our executive meeting before the general meeting, I had so much to report until the elected VP was stunned. And, probably, intimidated.

Before the week ended, she had resigned.

OK, why the long discourse on local school politics?

Elections can cause bitter feelings. The contenders may not like each other at the beginning, but usually hate each other by the end. Those feelings can persist and cause the former rivals to forever remain divided.

The question is, what were you contending for? In my case, I was vying for an opportunity to work with a growing school--adding the 11th and 12th grades over the next two years--and to use my educational and academic allegiances to help nudge it into world-class status by the time the first class graduates. Does defeat negate that goal? No. Is realizing the goal worth working with potential enemies? Yes.

I bring this up because over the last nine years we have witnessed very, very contentious elections. The issues between George W. and Al Gore ripped the country more than we may want to acknowledge and the events of 9/11 actually prevented a potentially fatal hemorrhage.

Now, John McCain has lost to Barack Obama. Whatever one feels about either of the candidates, I ask this question: what were you vying for? Prestige? Power? The Golden Ring? The Holy Grail?

Are the American people pawns in this election process? Sometimes compromises have to be made in order to do the best for the people involved. I urge all of us to consider this as we encounter situations in life. Whether we are running for political or public office, to head school boards, work on city council, lead cities, or simply run school groups, fraternities, sororities or student governments.

If your personal agenda is greater than the people you plan to serve or represent, perhaps you should reconsider, if you have any personal pride or responsibility at all.

BTW: most of the items that I thought were important to running the PTA well have been incorporated and we have seen very positive results. I can say that I have had a hand in changing my environment for the better. So, in the end, I still won. And the children are winning, too. Let's hope our elected officials operate in the same manner.