Team Adjourned

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.