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“My name is Janine Gliener, and I am currently
serving you as President of this congregation.” This is how I’ve
introduced myself from this platform several times over this past
year. The year before, I was serving you as Vice President. I’ve
also served as Worship Convenor and Publicity Committee chair, to
mention a couple of the jobs I’ve done during my 14 years here.
And while I have been at this microphone with
some frequency in these “job” capacities, this is the first time I
have given a personal testimony. In fact it’s been a matter of
principle with me – I’ll work very hard, giving of my time and
energy, but my boundaries dictate that what’s personal generally
stays that way. However today I am inspired by what I believe is
the importance of my message, to share this part of myself.
One of my personal beliefs, dating all the way
back to my undergrad days, is that there is no such thing as
altruism. There are only different understandings of
self-interest. And while a sense of responsibility has certainly
played a role in my agreeing to take on various jobs at First, I
wouldn’t have continued if there hadn’t been something in it for
me. None of us would.
My experience of the presidency has actually
been a surprise to me. When the idea was first raised to me, I
resisted it for a year. As a last resort, they finally “Donna’d”
me. Donna told me that I didn’t have to be a really good president
– any kind of president would do. So, with expectations set
achievably low, I agreed.
At the beginning I found the job very very
difficult. I did not feel like I knew what I was doing. I just
about had a nervous breakdown preparing my first agenda last June –
it’s an especially challenging one because not only is it the first,
that’s our “day away” and an extra-long meeting. Then through the
summer, I stressed about everything. I had at least a couple of
meetings every week with different individuals or groups, as I tried
to figure out what needed to be done and how to do it all. I
struggled with how to keep all the correspondence and conversations
and action items in my head. We had two board meetings in September
– there wasn’t enough time to do follow up from one meeting before
getting ready for the next! All while I also had a full time job
and wished to have a little bit of a life!
Gradually, though, things started to fall into
place. I got myself organized & got a few personal systems set up &
running. I sought advice from some past leaders. I found a
couple of people to head up key activities. (Thank you Jo Harris!
Thank you Nancy Kasper!)
Our congregational leadership was facing some
big questions and even some misunderstandings and potential
conflicts last autumn. We worked our way through them – carefully,
but also openly and honestly. I learned that I could say “I don’t
know” comfortably, with trust that an answer would reveal or a path
would unfold. I realized that I was enjoying being in the thick of
things. I was interacting with interesting people. I was coaching
and helping people. We were working on interesting issues. I was
having fun!
My only regret about all this is that I didn’t
assume a board role or perhaps the presidency many years earlier.
The experience might have had an even bigger impact on the rest of
my life. At work, it had been decided long ago by me and others
that I wasn’t “executive material”. I didn’t think that I was
suited to the demands and pressure of a leadership role. And I had
at times been not very successful in situations that required me to
influence others.
However my roles at First gave me a chance to
practice and develop my skills, to try on leadership, in a safe
place. People here want each other to succeed, and they’ll
help.
Conflict, failures and occasional abuse are
certainly part of the package. I get my share, but I also get lots
of thanks, praise and encouragement that build my confidence.
Very important to me, I also get an opportunity
to learn. We come together from so many backgrounds, we bring along
with us a variety of techniques and tools that we share. From Art
Brewer, I‘ve learned much about how to run an efficient meeting.
From Cameron Linton, I’ve learned how to shape a policy discussion.
Name removed and Stan Yack regularly rescue me when I’ve fallen
into yet another technical abyss. From Mark Morrison-Reed, I’ve
learned to say “IN-ter-est-ing!” when I’m really meaning “are you
friggin’ out of your mind!?”. Sadly though, I’ll never be
able to do that effective pull on a beard the way he can when he
says it!
If I had been developing these skills and
confidence from the moment I walked through these front doors, who
knows what decisions I might have made in other areas of my life?
I know for sure, that my volunteer experiences here have given me
more skills, more knowledge, and more options. And of course I also
get the satisfaction of getting a few things done.
I strongly encourage all of you who are not
already in leadership roles to consider putting your name forward
now. We need committee chairs. We need a Convenor. We need
Trustees – ideally people who have already had some other committee
or convenor experience. Some of these opportunities are mentioned
in this month’s Horizons and members of the Nominating Committee are
available today after service to talk about some of these roles.
So … think not only of what you can do for your
congregation, but also of what your congregation can do for you.
Be selfish. Volunteer.
Before I step down this morning, I will also
take this opportunity to thank you for this past year, as I won’t be
at the AGM at the end of this month. I’ve just left my weekday job
and I’m going to be out of the country for a few weeks.
My name is Janine Gliener, and I have been
privileged to serve you as President of this congregation. |
