Fall 2011
Service . . . Leadership
My first PTA meeting was an interesting experience. I've never taught in a building with a PTA and added my five dollars to the cause this year, although the Fine Arts Boosters take good care of me. I had expected to blend into a crowd of anonymity on chairs with speakers up front, but instead took a corner seat around clustered tables. The discussion centered on ways these women could serve children and teachers. I was amazed at their creativity—and their dedication!
Motivation is an interesting phenomenon. A teacher at this meeting quipped later that she felt she should take a committee job (and did). Guilt works pretty well to get people to make a commitment, but I haven’t found it an exceptionally satisfying way to operate over the long haul.
Yesterday a simple-sounding question side-tracked the speaker at our Orff workshop. In the middle of her long answer, she said with a wry grin, “It’s too bad I’m not passionate about my work!” Passion, of course, brings willing follow-through, and a calling to service generally makes happier workers. From the energy she brought to a Saturday with us, she obviously had both.
Right now ECMMA is in the middle of a planning process. We are nearing the 20-year mark and looking at projects for the next decade. It’s fun to dream about what could be accomplished for music and young children! But all the plans require people—people who can talk to others, give feedback, plan an event, see the big picture, manage the details, keep the records, follow up on conversations, do some legwork, make phone calls, listen to ideas, ask questions . . . well, you get the idea. Good things require the work of many hands for success.
Recently a woman asked about setting a date for a workshop because music teachers in her local schools now have 4-year olds. She wants to spread the word about ECMMA’s wealth of information. I have to admit that’s what led me to leadership. Most of what I learned about making music with young children I gained from reading ECMMA publications and attending ECMMA events. I was ready to share.
When I was approached about the Presidency, my first thought was, “Shouldn’t the president teach at a university? I’m in a public school in rural Iowa.” When I voiced that doubt, here’s the gist of the answer I received: “Where you teach doesn’t matter. We need someone who cares about early child music and movement with organizational skills to get things done.” Still I demurred. Then we started brainstorming. A listener remarked that I spoke like someone who should one day be president. It’s interesting now to look back on the internal dialogue that led me from “that will never happen,” to “perhaps one day,” to “OK, I’ll do it.”
So where do you see yourself in this process? Are you ready to mentor a young teacher? Can you tell a group of eager listeners how or what you teach? Could you help organize a chapter meeting? Would you enjoy connecting with others to make decisions?
Many hands make light work, and the work ECMMA does is vital for growing a healthy, human society in this increasingly technological world. You’re already involved in this wonderful service. How big is the next step on the ladder of leadership?
Judy Panning
ECMMA President