Editorials

Saluting chapter leaders

Oct 15, 2009 4:29 PM

The most gratifying and acclaimed of “thankless” jobs is that of being all things to all people. That is the calling of chapter leadership. The expectation may be a stretch, but the fulfillment is always within reach as long as members look to their chapter leaders for reasonable support in coping with the many facets of the school system.

Chapter leaders face an array of challenges and sometimes daunting pressures. It may take a toll on their nerves and eat up time. Their responsibilities are legion and the demands made on them are many. But it also can be fun.

Chapter leaders must have strong human relations skills to deal effectively with all kinds of people in all types of situations and positions of power.

All told, it’s a tall order.

Filling that order may be grueling, but it is exhilarating. It takes not only intuition and practice, but plenty of training.

That’s what 260 new chapter leaders received over their Oct. 2-4 weekend in Princeton, N.J., the first of four sessions that will take place over the course of the school year. Many of these new chapter leaders will want to stay in office for many terms. We hope that all of them will be imbued with the spirit of solidarity and will carry the ball for unionism for the long haul.

Chapter leaders have in common the goal of protecting our profession and our rights as professionals in a safe and nonthreatening environment.

It includes getting the best out of all people and resolving conflicts whenever possible.

We salute our new chapter leaders for taking on this important assignment.