the other side of the table

Last Tuesday was my first official Board Of Education meeting. Despite my plans to arrive early, it was just three minutes before go time before I dashed in the door. Traffic didn't want to co-operate and every car in front of me was on a sight-seeing tour apparently. Not the way I wanted to start but when life hands you....never mind.

Everyone else was seated at the long official table already. Sigh. Making an entrance was not my goal as I usually prefer to slide in unnoticed at most gatherings. I quickly found my seat and after getting settled, the weird reality dawned that I was no longer in the audience, but was on display, so to speak. Huh. That particular fact eluded me up until I looked up & out and most everyone was watching me. I fiddled with my paper work, looked down at the agenda, looked around at my fellow Board Members, then I bit the bullet and gazed back at everyone in the audience. They took the time to come to this meeting, they deserved my attention and eye contact. It was not nearly as nerve wracking as I anticipated. My late arrival pushed away any time I had to contemplate, or fret about, being observed by the public as opposed to being an observer.

The next step was for the newly elected board members to be officially sworn into office and then it was onto the business of the evening.

The public session was really very cool. Several awards were handed out to students, which I always enjoy. Kids need recognition for their efforts, especially when they go above and beyond. When their names are called and they approach to receive their awards, the expressions range from embarrassment to being on display, satisfaction in that recognition and pride in their efforts. These are good things to see, people. One boy, young man is a better term, came up to the microphone and asked about certain spending and voiced his opinion over the issue. Good for him, that he had the awareness of the issue and the courage to stand up and speak his mind. It's very rare for this to happen. More kids his age should get involved, ask questions and speak up. The adults at the table would learn a lot more if they did.