Men In Suits

[cuppabillytea]

Four years ago my Wife became President of the P&F at our School. As a consequence I became Chief of the Volentold. That was OK. I don't mind a bit of unpaid hard labour. Two years ago my Wife resigned as President of the P&F but Two years down the track and I find that I am still Chief of the Volentold.
Yesterday I was called by the Headmasters Secretary and asked it I would assemble the new six burner Barbecue The P&F had bought.
Today as I was doing said job, in between my Ships and running back and forth, I thought, I could do with a bit of help here. This things bloody heavy and my back is not that flash. Where are all the other Dads of this School? Here I am at sixty two years of age, the oldest by a long shot, doing what should be done by the younger men.
Then it dawned on me. Most of them are Business Owners or Managers. much to important to be concerned with the heavy work that could cause one to sweat.
Perhaps I should remind them that my Wife is also senior Management and somehow she found the time to do the necessary volunteering.
Does anyone here have any idea how I should put it to these blokes?

[Eevo]

just say your unavailable
or
doctors orders, no physical work

[Toxic_Avenger]

Give it to them as a KPI for the job, then performance manage the **** out of them when it doesn't happen :cool:

[rangieman]

Honestly if it was not for people like yourself any jobs alike would not get done good on you mate:thumbsup:
I would approach them as they would approach anyone else that they wanted anything done for them ;)
Dont hold back be force full within reason and be honest and dont bull **** as they would;)
All else falling give it up and dont feel guilty about it:cool:

[Hay Ewe]

Just say that you are not able to for some reason (have reasons made up in advance)

You dont say if you have any more connection to the school or not.
If you step up every time, others wont
there are probably others that have the ability but dont know because you are the go to person

if you no longer do it, problem bilong them, and eventually some one else will step in - likely when they see what a state the barbie is because a suit tried to put it together and then they will be come the go to person

you just have to go through that pain for a while

[cuppabillytea]

Give it to them as a KPI for the job, then performance manage the **** out of them when it doesn't happen :cool:
Could get the Missus to help there. Sounds like fun.

Just say that you are not able to for some reason (have reasons made up in advance)

You dont say if you have any more connection to the school or not.
If you step up every time, others wont
there are probably others that have the ability but dont know because you are the go to person

if you no longer do it, problem bilong them, and eventually some one else will step in - likely when they see what a state the barbie is because a suit tried to put it together and then they will be come the go to person

you just have to go through that pain for a while
The rest of this one and five more to go.

[vnx205]

It is possible isn't it that they don't realise that you would appreciate help.

Isn't it possible that they think you are quite happy doing all these things?

They might even think that you would be offended if they offered to help you or replace you, in case you interpreted their intervention as a criticism of your performance.

It might not have occurred to them to trespass on what they see as your domain.

If that is the case, then it might need only the politest, gentlest, most diplomatic hint to get the result you want.

[Chops]

Billy, I'd just be straight up and ask them if there's anybody you can "show the ropes" to with this sort of stuff.
There's no need for anyone to get nasty or defensive etc in this sort of situation, surely they must realise you've done your fair share, and hey, times coming to an end.
You've got more important things to do these days,, let's see now, there's holidays and trips to plan, there's the car that needs to be checked, check the camping gear, and oh yeah, check the car again,,, to be sure to be sure :D
Then of course, there's said trip to do :D

I'm sure after all you've done, they will appreciate your efforts.

[Dark61]

I reckon you said it as best you could in your post. I would put it to them just as it is. When I volunteered to help at the local community hall , I got given the job of cleaning the toilets! You know how it goes.
cheers,
D

[cuppabillytea]

It is possible isn't it that they don't realise that you would appreciate help.

Isn't it possible that they think you are quite happy doing all these things?

They might even think that you would be offended if they offered to help you or replace you, in case you interpreted their intervention as a criticism of your performance.

It might not have occurred to them to trespass on what they see as your domain.

If that is the case, then it might need only the politest, gentlest, most diplomatic hint to get the result you want.
That is a most intuitive response. To be honest it didn't occur to me that that might be the case. Thanks vnx205. You have given me a new approach to work on. Although over the years I have been full of praise for anyone who has stepped up ( I don't do it all, just the first up.).

[cuppabillytea]

Billy, I'd just be straight up and ask them if there's anybody you can "show the ropes" to with this sort of stuff.
There's no need for anyone to get nasty or defensive etc in this sort of situation, surely they must realise you've done your fair share, and hey, times coming to an end.
You've got more important things to do these days,, let's see now, there's holidays and trips to plan, there's the car that needs to be checked, check the camping gear, and oh yeah, check the car again,,, to be sure to be sure :D
Then of course, there's said trip to do :D

I'm sure after all you've done, they will appreciate your efforts.
There's a lot of that going on to be sure.:p Too much in the opinion of SWMBO.

[Redback]

Just ask for some help, no big deal,

"excuse me, I need some help me with project please"

[cuppabillytea]

What help do you need Baz?

[Chops]

What help do you need Baz?

He needs help to find himself.
He's lost in the "Where am I" section. He keeps asking us where he is ;)
I don't understand really, he keeps telling us all where he's "not", so you'd think with knowing where he isn't, he'd know where he was (??) :angel:

[NavyDiver]

Chuckled at your predicament- Murder is about 15 years. I have been at a local primary schools working Bee 4 times a year for 12 years now and 3 more to go:eek:

Happily I provide all the bangers- the first lot 12 years ago I opened my mouth about the nice ones the butcher near me makes :o
I provide all the bread- Suggested 12 years ago the baker might give us some. Baker is long gone and I still get it
I provide fruit, beer and a few other bits which every now and again are donated by other businesses. Its only 4 times a year:) I still think murders get it easy.

Schools are run by shoe sting budgets and a lot or hard work by a few volunteers just like you. Bravo Zulu sir. Run before the 15 years is my tip.

When I say a "few volunteers just like you" I bet you and I know 99% of the people who help and have been for years. Volunteers rock.

I was given a little fluffy moose by the principle last year. Hangs with pride on my Discos Mirror:D

[cuppabillytea]

He needs help to find himself.
He's lost in the "Where am I" section. He keeps asking us where he is ;)
I don't understand really, he keeps telling us all where he's "not", so you'd think with knowing where he isn't, he'd know where he was (??) :angel:

Yes I saw that but I don't quite know where he is either.

[cuppabillytea]

Chuckled at your predicament- Murder is about 15 years. I have been at a local primary schools working Bee 4 times a year for 12 years now and 3 more to go:eek:

Happily I provide all the bangers- the first lot 12 years ago I opened my mouth about the nice ones the butcher near me makes :o
I provide all the bread- Suggested 12 years ago the baker might give us some. Baker is long gone and I still get it
I provide fruit, beer and a few other bits which every now and again are donated by other businesses. Its only 4 times a year:) I still think murders get it easy.

Schools are run by shoe sting budgets and a lot or hard work by a few volunteers just like you. Bravo Zulu sir. Run before the 15 years is my tip.

When I say a "few volunteers just like you" I bet you and I know 99% of the people who help and have been for years. Volunteers rock.

I was given a little fluffy moose by the principle last year. Hangs with pride on my Discos Mirror:D
Yes it does have it's rewards but do you wonder who'll be there when your kids move to high school?

[NavyDiver]

Yes it does have it's rewards but do you wonder who'll be there when your kids move to high school?

Easy Billy. there is always a man like you to be found when the **** hits the fan and real man or women stands up and take the weight. They just sit back until we leave mate.

[cuppabillytea]

Easy Billy. there is always a man like you to be found when the **** hits the fan and real man or women stands up and take the weight. They just sit back until we leave mate.
Thanks That's good to Know' Actually I think I can see in my minds eye, a couple of likely candidates.

[DoubleChevron]

Four years ago my Wife became President of the P&F at our School. As a consequence I became Chief of the Volentold. That was OK. I don't mind a bit of unpaid hard labour. Two years ago my Wife resigned as President of the P&F but Two years down the track and I find that I am still Chief of the Volentold.
Yesterday I was called by the Headmasters Secretary and asked it I would assemble the new six burner Barbecue The P&F had bought.
Today as I was doing said job, in between my Ships and running back and forth, I thought, I could do with a bit of help here. This things bloody heavy and my back is not that flash. Where are all the other Dads of this School? Here I am at sixty two years of age, the oldest by a long shot, doing what should be done by the younger men.
Then it dawned on me. Most of them are Business Owners or Managers. much to important to be concerned with the heavy work that could cause one to sweat.
Perhaps I should remind them that my Wife is also senior Management and somehow she found the time to do the necessary volunteering.
Does anyone here have any idea how I should put it to these blokes?

Because ... they wouldn't actually know how to asemble a BBQ. No I'm not joking :(

seeya,
shane L.

[rick130]

Because ... they wouldn't actually know how to asemble a BBQ. No I'm not joking :(

seeya,
shane L.

This.

The exGF said I was the first bloke in her life that could change a flat tyre, let alone actually fix or assemble something.
One ex hubby was a Futures Trader worth squillions, the next is some bloody spin doctor with more letters after his name than letters in the alphabet, but none of them could do anymore than tie a shoelace. Seriously.

[cuppabillytea]

There you have it. We are all to specialized. I can change the tyres but I couldn't change the future to save myself.

[cuppabillytea]

The P&F at our School is now an all Bloke affair.
Those men in suits whom I referred to in the OP, have turned it around and taken the ball up for the team.
I can't tell you how proud of these blokes I am. To a man they are doing a sterling job and I'm confident that they will go close to if not surpassing the efforts of my Missus.
OK, so I still have to go up and fix the broken leg on the Barbecue, but I'm happy.
This is our last year at the School as Lucy is at a new School, where they have a full time Maintenance Department.