Co-op problems Sorry, long!! UPDATE at bottom UPDATE #2 at bottom
Some of you may remember the problems I had with the leader of our co-op a while back. Here is a link to my post if you don't know what I'm talking about. You should probably read it anyway, in order for the rest of my post to make sense.
http://www.cafemom.com/group/3200/forums/read/15493830/Annoyed_UPDATED_at_bottom
I am really upset right now with not only the leader of our group but a few people in the group. First, there are three more "cooking" classes left; i use that term loosely, because for the class, all they will be doing is cutting out pictures of food from magazines( yeah that's what you do in preschool when you learn how to use scissors) and learning how to set a table ( as if 5th graders have never done that before). I wasn't allowed to choose recipes that didn't include using a stove, yet the class isn't even going to be IN the kitchen!! I emailed Martha and told her how upset and insulted I was that the class was taken away from me and given to someone who could supposedly do a better job and the class wont' even be in the kitchen?!? She hasn't responded to me yet but that's because of problem number 2. There is allegedly mold in the church that we are using for co-op. I'm not denying that there isn't mold, because there is mold in almost every house and building around here, unless it is a brand new building. The problem is, a handful of the moms are complaining that the mold in the basement where the kindergarten and preschool class meets is making their kids sick. One mom in particular is leading the crusade for this, and even created a survey for the group yesterday about what "we" should do about this. The church is allowing us to use their building for FREE, which was pointed out to this mom, not to mention I and a couple of other people pointed out that it is going to be impossible to find another facility that will meet our needs. We need a gym and classroom space, and this church used to have a school which no longer exists, so the building is ideal. There are NO other buildings anywhere that will meet our needs. This mom, "C" is throwing a temper tantrum saying that she isn't even going to come anymore if the mold problem isn't taken care of. Fine,then don't. The majority of the group is NOT having any problems with the mold. "C" thinks that we should find another facility or make the church ( who once again, is allowing us to use their building for FREE) pay for the mold removal, which is REALLY expensive. I think at this point, Martha is fed up with all the complaining from all sides but so are the rest of us. As the leader of the group, she needs to address the problems, and not just shout orders to everyone. I'm really upset about this, because there are NO other co-ops in our area that aren't an all day, school model group. In addition to all of these, there are several mothers who refuse to participate in the co-op in a teaching or helping capacity, because they congregate in the preschool room; they won't leave their kids for more than 10 minutes without going into withdrawals and I'm not exaggerating. This means the rest of us are responsible for handling the older kids' classes ( many of which have kids in them that are the older siblings of the preschoolers) and it is the same parents that have to do everything, every week.
I'm sorry this was so long and I"m sorry if it was confusing!! Any thoughts on how to handle this? I know it's a big mess.
UPDATE!! I just got an email that there will be a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the mold issue. I told Martha and the rest of the group that we will not be attending the meeting, and I have already expressed my opinions on the matter, and have nothing else constructive to contribute. If I come up with an idea between now and then, I will let them know.
UPDATE #2: I didn't attend the meeting but I heard it was quite interesting. For once, Martha ( the leader) actually did what a leader is supposed to do and set everyone straight. Basically, she said that we are blessed to have that building for free, and that the majority of people are comfortable there. She said we shouldn't expect the church to pony up the money to take care of the mold problem. She also said we are all adults, and if someone feels uncomfortable bringing their family there, then they need to do what's best for THEIR family and find another place to go; for now, we are keeping things as they are. She also said the most logical first step is to just move to another room. ( Bear in mind that myself as well as several other people have already said all of these exact same suggestions)"C", the ringleader of the resistance ( LOL, sorry, just couldn't resist being funny) apparently tried to make a big fuss about how 30% of the group is "mildly concerned" about the mold and Martha told her that's still NOT the majority and she is the only one who is really being vocal about it. From what I understand, "C" got mad and walked out to the playground and didn't come back inside for the rest of the meeting although she was there this past Tuesday.( We went on Tuesday for a science center presentation) Martha still never responded to me about the whole cooking class debacle. She has been out of town the last week or so but she could have emailed me. I am trying to give her the benefit of the doubt that maybe she didn't get the email; I don't know. I'm not sure if I will be attending the rest of the classes for this year; I might just go to the gym class and skip the "cooking" class.
Anyway, for now, things seem to be more or less settled. We'll see what happens next year!!
Can you offer to do something for the leader? Maybe handle the mold issue, make phone calls, send out a letter? She might be so burdened down with everything and to have one thing taken off her hands might help her respond better to the other issues.
I'm with you on the mold issue. It would be a problem for me (I don't know about my kids), but I would simply not come. Unless I had a solution that was all worked out (like I had found another place willing to let us use their building for free) - and then I would just suggest that. If no one wanted to change, I just wouldn't come.
What about suggesting guidelines for next year? Getting together with some of the 'leaders' and putting something together with rules and such. In that you could address that everyone has to teach or be a helper an x number of times throughout the year.
Quoting micheledo:
Can you offer to do something for the leader? Maybe handle the mold issue, make phone calls, send out a letter? She might be so burdened down with everything and to have one thing taken off her hands might help her respond better to the other issues.
I'm with you on the mold issue. It would be a problem for me (I don't know about my kids), but I would simply not come. Unless I had a solution that was all worked out (like I had found another place willing to let us use their building for free) - and then I would just suggest that. If no one wanted to change, I just wouldn't come.
What about suggesting guidelines for next year? Getting together with some of the 'leaders' and putting something together with rules and such. In that you could address that everyone has to teach or be a helper an x number of times throughout the year.
I refuse to handle the mold issue because it is not my issue to handle. The ones who are complaining about it are the ones who need to handle it. The bottom line is this: It is NOT the church's responsibility to take care of the problem, especially when they are GENEROUSLY allowing us to use their facility for free. If our group starts demanding that they pay for the VERY expensive cost of taking care of the mold problem, then we might just lose the building altogether.
"C" spent over 4 hours the last couple of days anazlying data on this ( Can you say "GET A LIFE"?) and sent out an email with this ridiculously long attachment with graphs, etc. Almost everyone had the same thoughts: That it is not a huge problem for most of the group and most of us are willing to just deal with it, and continue meeting in the building that God has provided for us.
I think the leaders are going to address the problem of people not being willing to help teach and make a schedule. One of the leaders sent out an email the other day asking us to vote on what classes we wanted for next year, and the very next day, "C" went on her mold rampage, which took the attention away from the much bigger issue of not having enough parents willing to participate. I am having some very un-Christianlike thoughts about this woman right now and I need to pray about what to say to her and how to say it, without being offensive.
Regarding the mold issue - I was thinking something more along the lines of writing a 'nice' note to be sent out to everyone to 'deal' with it. Something like - We want everyone to know that there is mold in such and such classrooms. If you have allergies you may not want to attend. The church has graciously offered their building for free and unless we want to raise money to have it cleaned, do not feel it is appropriate to expect the church to clean it for us. At this point we will continue to meet at ---- church. If anyone knows of other FREE options for a meeting place be sure and talk to the leaders. . . . Something like that.
I know the mold thing isn't your problem, but I was thinking if you come up with a creative way to 'deal' with it (being the one person complaining) it would take pressure off the group and effectively silence the complaints. When brought up it could be said that we have addressed that issue and will not continue discussing it . . .
I don't really know if that would work, but just wanted to explain more of what I was thinking!
Quoting micheledo:
Regarding the mold issue - I was thinking something more along the lines of writing a 'nice' note to be sent out to everyone to 'deal' with it. Something like - We want everyone to know that there is mold in such and such classrooms. If you have allergies you may not want to attend. The church has graciously offered their building for free and unless we want to raise money to have it cleaned, do not feel it is appropriate to expect the church to clean it for us. At this point we will continue to meet at ---- church. If anyone knows of other FREE options for a meeting place be sure and talk to the leaders. . . . Something like that.
I know the mold thing isn't your problem, but I was thinking if you come up with a creative way to 'deal' with it (being the one person complaining) it would take pressure off the group and effectively silence the complaints. When brought up it could be said that we have addressed that issue and will not continue discussing it . . .
I don't really know if that would work, but just wanted to explain more of what I was thinking!
Here is my response to "C" and the rest of the group regarding her "data analysis".
Regarding the mold issue.... if some one wanted to take it under their wing and maybe work toward a solution they could. Perhaps getting the preschool hovering moms to form a committee to come up with suggestions and implement some ideas.
Some things they can do...
1. Do some research. Find out estimates on what needs done to fix the problem first or maybe see about having the mold tested to be sure it's not "black mold" or some other more dangerous issue and decide if something needs done about it in the first place.
2. Contact the church in a polite way about their willingness to be involved in the estimates, testing, etc...
3. Maybe come up with some fund raising ideas that the co-op can take part in and work together with the church for a mutually beneficial end.
There's more that can be done, but some one needs to be willing to do it. I thought maybe asking for a committee, maybe in lieu of teaching a class (like for the moms that currently don't do their share)... might help solve several issues at once.
You are involved in a group that is lower cost and therefore lower structure and benefits. You've really got to pray about these issues affecting your attitude and how you can handle things well as a believer. Regardless of the other ladies in the group. You are living an example of that for your kids. You know how we always try to tell them that it's not what other people do that matters, but what they do... right?
Not easy, though, mama... and I pray you find a way through the issues to a better place.
Hi, I am in support of no side on this issue. However, I think the church really should be concerned about a mold issue if anyone(members, organizations-anyone) is going to be using its facility. Mold can have some very serious effects on some people's health. Kindly asking the church to address this problem is in no way showing you are unthankful for the free use of their facility. It is a health issue. You can research this problem on-line and read many articles on the topic. I hope all goes well for you and the group. God bless you all.
Quoting lovemy123456:
Hi, I am in support of no side on this issue. However, I think the church really should be concerned about a mold issue if anyone(members, organizations-anyone) is going to be using its facility. Mold can have some very serious effects on some people's health. Kindly asking the church to address this problem is in no way showing you are unthankful for the free use of their facility. It is a health issue. You can research this problem on-line and read many articles on the topic. I hope all goes well for you and the group. God bless you all.
Well, the "head" of the mold crusade says she wants to let the church know about the mold. I (foolishly) offered to organize a fundraiser selling Sheetz coupon books to offset the cost of the mold removal. Personally, I don't feel as if I should even have to do this, since I'm not the one complaining, but I just want to offer SOME solution to the problem rather than just screaming "My kids are gonna DIE from the mold!!" Whether or not my suggestion will be taken is not up to me. I put it out there and as far as I'm concerned, I'm washing my hands of it. If they want me to do the fundraiser, I will, but I'm staying out of it from here on out.
I just don't know if I can take another year of this drama. The only reason I am even bothering with this is because my kids have made some friends in the group, and I would hate to remove them from it.
3rd grade
- Bethsunshine
on Apr. 12, 2012 at 9:50 AM