What NOW? New Principal at School shuts down Contact Work
What would you do? At a club with a great history of club, campaigners, school involvement, and weekly on-campus contact work a new principal was hired. The leaders knew lots of teachers, the security guards, and the office staff. They were all familiar with leaders visiting campus. The leaders were trusted, known personally, and had a 10-year track record of working within the guidelines of the school.
Then, in the first week of the new principal the leader walked into the office to get his visitor’s pass. There was a new lady who was at the front desk who said, “Who are you and why should you be here?” Turns out that leaders are not allowed on campus anymore. The vice-principal vouched for the leaders, but apparently the new people simply do not want the leaders on campus.
What would you do?
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Your AD should call the new principle and ask for
Dan | February 1, 2008 | 2:24 pmYour AD should call the new principle and ask for a meeting to introduce yourself, your history there, and what you offer the the school–in nonreligious terms. It would help if your AD took the local Committee Chair with her/him, but not more–too many could seem like you’re ganging up. Talk up the positives that YL brings to the campus, offer to serve, and of course be kind and professional. Pray, before, during, after. Realize that if you’ve already got relationships with kids, then open campus access is bonus and not a prerequisite for good contact work. You can still go to anything open to the public–football games, science fairs, plays and music performances, etc. You can also volunteer direct with teachers or counselors who set up their own volunteers for the school. Did I mention pray? Pray.
Great comments Dan. Plenty of things to do that don't
PHSYL | February 1, 2008 | 3:07 pmGreat comments Dan. Plenty of things to do that don’t require a positive response from the administration: pray, after-school activities, meet with the principle, volunteer if possible. I like the proactive response - much better than the retreat and sulk in misery that is tempting.
We're having a simular situation at our high school.
Matthew S. | February 15, 2008 | 3:37 pmWe’re having a simular situation at our high school. What we’ve been able to to is establish contacts in the board of education and have had them deeply involved anywhere from adult guests at weekend camps to club, one or more is on committee now.
But the unspoken influence of superiors had quite an impact. It’s still difficult, but we’re headed in the right direction.
Matt, wow - the board of education on committee, adult
PHSYL | February 15, 2008 | 6:10 pmMatt, wow - the board of education on committee, adult guests and club and camp… in someways it seems like this difficulty has created some great connections. My hope is over time these will far overshadow the temporary effect of these superiors who are making club more difficult.