Adjournment or the stage of a
group interaction when the work of a group is completed or the make up of the
group changes has always been bitter sweet for me. Most of the teams in which I have been
closely involved have been boards or councils. This means that as I come to the
end of my term as part of the team, the work of the group continues. This
change reflects a healthy organization and a commitment to harnessing the energy
and expertise of new leaders, so it is something I celebrate. On the other hand, high performing groups are
successful because of a general feeling of trust and respect. It is almost impossible to work in as part of
a high performing group without developing relationships and collegial
friendships.
I am currently facing this situation
as I roll off the NAEYC Affiliate Council Executive Committee. During the past 4 years while I have moved
from chair elect to past chair position, we have lead an association wide research
and reorganization process called the National Dialogue. I have met via phone
with the annually changing leadership team ever other week for most of those 4
years. We have spent tireless hours
working to see the National Dialogue move from one phase to another. Each year the composition of the team was a
little different, but the work remained steady because each new member was
committed to the process. Our success
can be contributed to trust, respect and diversity of skills and
strengths. When I hang up on my last
call in March of 2014, going forward there will be a tremendous void in my
every other Thursday afternoon, because I am compelled by the quality of the
work and the relationships I have with the people. As I say this, I am so pleased with the
incoming chair elect. She brings great
perspective to the group and unless I go, there is not room for her. I know that as I reflect on my loss I will
also be engaging in new work and that the relationships I have with the
incredible women and men I have worked with on the Affiliate Council in some
way or another will continue to contribute to my future endeavors.
As we finish this last core
course in our pursuit of our Master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies from
Walden University and begin to focus on our area of specialization, the end of
our program is in sight. In just a few
short months it will be time for us to embrace what we have learned and use it
to enhance the work we do for young children, their families, and the
professionals who serve them everyday.
Some of us will continue in the professional roles we already play,
other of us are seeking new ways to use the knowledge and skills we have
gained. As we depart we must celebrate the deep thinking and dialogue we shared
to reach our current level of expertise and understanding and we must say so
long to our weekly communication. This
will not be the end of our relationship, just a change as we find a new way to
communicate and support each other going forward.
