Asking for one or two volunteers to handle our May election and to permanently take over Montrose book group starting in August.

[Alice Aman]

Hi everyone!

I will no longer be organizer for the Montrose Great Books after July
2014. I need a break and since I don't know exactly how long the
break needs to be, I am simplifying things by basically dropping out.
And before July, I need at least one person to manage the election of
new books in May. If there is no volunteer for our election in May,
there may be no new books to read unless a different schedule is
decided upon by someone other than me.

I want to say for anyone who volunteers, it doesn't have to be
permanent. It is highly likely that I would be willing to resume the
organizer job after our home remodeling is complete in a year or so
but I can't guarantee that will happen (and you may want to pass the
baton to someone else, your perogrative).

For whoever volunteers to totally manage the election in May, one of
the perks of taking over the group will be that you can manage it
anyway you want including having executive privilege over what goes on
the ballot (or even deciding if there is a ballot). Your choice -
though of course I hope you don't forget that you still need people to
show up and discuss so hopefully the rules won't change so drastically
as to discourage attendance.

If I get more volunteers than I need, I will reserve the right to
choose my predecessor(s). Hope that doesn't sound too ungrateful but
I would prefer to choose someone who has attended on a somewhat
regular basis recently rather than a newcomer. But beggars can't be
choosers.

This is not a huge job but can still take time when you don't have it.
I will continue supporting the Montrose group on meetup.com and
houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose for a while but maybe not forever.
That needs more discussion.

I WILL relinguish updating the houstongreatbooks.net calendar for this
group as of August. Other tasks include responding to email queries
and advertising on the web (which I haven't done recently and it's
obvious since attendance has dropped off a bit). Your phone number
and email address will be posted on the web pages for the group.
Also, once in a great while you need to respond to queries from
Library personnel. Also, regarding the election, depending on how you
handle that, it can take a bit of time writing up summaries of books
on the list and getting page numbers and publication dates, awards,
etc. And negotiating with members if you really think the book title
doesn't fit the mission of Montrose Great Books. And don't forget the
Black Lab restaurant. You need to make a reservation for some number
(I have guidelines I use to guess the number depending on the length
of the book) at the Black Lab after the meeting for when we socialize.

My posting group info on the web at meetup and houstonbookclubs takes
more time but I may be a bit more particular than I need to be. As I
said above, I will continue doing that for a while as long as whoever
takes over as organizer keeps me posted. With the exception of a
contribution by Beverly, I've always bought and brought blank name
tags - I never asked for help which may be one reason I'm burned out.
FYI - Name tags is not a requirement. Nothing is really a
requirement except that the group be managed in a way so as not to
lose all of the good membership that has been built up over the many
years.

One of the biggest and most time-consuming responsibilities I accepted
as organizer was to make every effort to attend every meeting even if
I hadn't read the book. Also, if the person who is supposed to lead
the group doesn't show up, the organizer usually is expected to
substitute. But given the longevity of this group, many of the
long-standing members are perfectly able to substitute in as well.
This has happened before. I would suggest the new organizer think
about someway to get support for the meetings at least on an
intermittent basis so they don't feel like they are doing it alone.
Hence the reason I think that two organizers might be better than one.

Think about it. You don't have to decide until April when attendees
need to be informed about any changes that may occur to the election
process. Please email me if you are interested in the job. Also,
anyone from another book group is also welcome to "apply". All
options are on the table including shutting down.

I've had a GREAT run (and made a lot of mistakes, so don't be afraid
of learning on the job) and met a lot of wonderful people. But I
think it is time for me to pass the baton. This change doesn't mean
you won't continue to see me at meetings as an attendee but only now
and then.

Hoping to hear from someone. See you Thursday.

--Alice A.