Vocal Voices

I've been building up to telling the head that I'm going to stand down as chair of governors.

She's been emailing me about things today - problems with staff - and I thought, now or never, and emailed her to say I need to speak to her and can I come in this afternoon. She emailed back to say it would be nice to see me but I thought I had to say something to prepare her and emailed back to say she might not be so happy to see me when she knew why.

A couple of emails have gone backwards and forwards and now she knows. I have told a white lie and said that I have been offered more hours at work and I don't feel I can turn it down.

I'm seeing her in a couple of hours time.

Good on you. That took a lot of courage. Good luck with your meeting.

Good luck Debih - you know you're doing the right thing. xx

I haven't told her when I want to finish (I am intending on officially giving my notice at the next meeting - 7th April - for the new chair to take over at the following meeting which I think is 16th June). Officially my term is not up until the November meeting but I don't want to stay until then as a) I am ready to leave now b) there are two other governors who's four year term is up in October and if they stand down I don't think it right for the chair to go so soon afterwards and c) if she does decide to look for another job (which she said she would if I stood down although I assumed she was joking) I don't want the hassle of recruiting a new head. Its only up at the November meeting as the chair before me stood down early (but she did it in a terrible way - just didn't turn up for a meeting and sent a text message saying she wasn't doing it anymore!!!).

I am worried about who will take over from me although that isn't really my concern and just because I don't think there is anyone up to the job (neither does the head and I know that this will have thrown her into a panic) that isn't a good enough reason to stay.

I also haven't told her that I am happy to stay as a community governor (for the time being anyway).

Its going to be hard seeing her later - I really like her and class her as a friend now - I know that I won't back down on this as the hardest part is over and done with now. And I'm pleased that I mentioned it in an email - at least it isn't going to come completely out of the blue to her face to face.

be brave its best to just say its time you left you are a busy person
and you cant do it for ever

That did turn out to be a good opportunity Debih, good luck x

Well done for letting her know Debbie, that's the hardest part over with now xx

I think that it is a perfect, respectful and well handled decision, Debih. It gives the board time to let it sink in and to make preparations for the future and to scout round for new governors, one of who might be up to the job of Chair.

Well done. xxx

well done you x and once the meeting is over and done with you'll feel even better and it'll be one less thing on your plate to worry about

I feel fab.

The vice chair was there at the end of the meeting (he is also the caretaker and a parent) and he is happy to take on the chairs role. I'm not sure if everyone will be happy with that but that's their problem to sort out between themselves. He is fab at practical stuff but I can't see him organising meetings, etched. But he gets on very well with the head which is good.

They did ask if I would be vice chair but I said no. There needs to be succession planning - whoever is vice chair should be the next chair and that won't be me.

She was very relieved that I am staying on as community governor though.

I have a lightness in my step tonight.