Cat Allergies

Two days ago I made a snap decision. It was a big one.

I decided to step down from my roles at HypoActive. Yes, I meant roles. Plural. Here is a summary of what these tasks involve:

President
Involves generally overseeing stuff. Being a leader? I don't feel like one right now. Steering and managing the 'business side' of HypoActive. Being strategic in the directions the organisation should take. Managing volunteers and delegating.

Website maintenance and management
Removing spam posts and blocking spam registers who like to post crap;
updating site with event information;
preparing surveymonkeys for EOI for events;
updating site with news stories on exercise and type 1 (trying to keep to topic);
chasing up content and encouraging people to contribute, including photos;
share stories on facebook page and twitter accounts;
manage facebook page and twitter accounts


Welcome officer and marketing
Answer web-based queries about HypoActive;
Connect and network with others with type 1 diabetes and their particular interests in exercise
Promoting HypoActive to Health Professionals, support groups and others through information, production of flyers and speaking engagements (four events last week);
Produce materials for distribution including event flyers, info flyers on HypoActive, banners and signage


Uniform and clothing
This involves collecting order requests for clothing
Tasks incluse organising uniform orders, ensuring payments are made, organising delivery/pickup/distribution, and liaison with clothing producers to ensure continued good relationships
Overseeing design and development of products with our designers
Sourcing quotes for production and sourcing appropriate quality gear
Organising call-outs to seek interest in purchase of uniform


Events
Set up event webpage with links to past years events, organise event, arrange associated clothing for event, and signage/promotional stuff;
Provide support to the event managers
Events follow up: organise thank yous to those who assisted
Coordinate write ups of events for publishing on website and sharing on FB and twitter.


Research and Development
Promote the need for further research to be undertaken on exercise and type 1
Conduct research myself on exercise and type 1
Investigate and develop new opportunities for HypoActive, such as the Junior Program


AcT1vate
Organise the entire weekend, including securing speakers, overseeing budget, sourcing sponsors, attracting attendees and marketing like nothing else.
Manage advisory committee involved in the weekend (which is extremely difficult to get everyone at the same time).


Liaison with industry bodies
Maintain connections with industry bodies such as DA-Vic and JDRF.


Money and Insurance
Although I am not directly responsible for this, I still have a huge role in securing sponsors and ensuring that activities fall within our insurance parameters. This is far from easy.


Sponsors
Manage good relationships with all our sponsors including regular feedback and liaison, and preparing annual sponsorship proposals to meet theirs and our needs.


Newsletter
Collaborate with our newsletter editor on providing high quality content for the monthly edition. Chase articles and content.


Stuff
Use my own home as a storage facility for the bits and pieces HypoActive owns over the years.

There is more stuff that doesn't actually fit into any of the above categories. For example, I also coordinated four major events in partnership with the Jayco Herald Sun Tour, where we were an official charity partner of the event.

This constant workload has taken its toll on me. I find myself being extremely unforgiving of others who fail to show the same high standard of care that I believe I bring to everything I do at HypoActive. And this inability of me to manage my volunteers properly is the main reason why I am stepping down.

It just kills me to see stuff not being done when there was previously an agreement to complete the said works. It just kills me. And then I flip out and totally lose my cool. Which is so not cool.

I care so much about HypoActive that it is making me ill.

The irony is not lost on me: for someone running a health promotion charity focussed on encouraging others to exercise more, I have no time to exercise myself.

Working with volunteers is not easy and in desperation I have attended courses and sought much advice on how to do this better. I still failed miserably at it, as I struggled to really find the appropriate carrot to motivate someone.

I have actually had some great successes with people who stepped up to the plate, cared for how the project should be delivered, and assisted with that delivery. They really are awesome and we are so much better off thanks to their generous commitment.

But, I am still stepping down.

I am not stepping down because I have a baby now.
I am not stepping down because I dislike HypoActive or want it to fail.

I am stepping down for me. For my sanity, and for the safety of others.

Someone once told me that working with volunteers is like herding cats.

Yep, the very things I am allergic to. But, I do really like cats.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and HypoActive since its inception back in 2004. For all those who have put in so much time and effort to make it a truly amazing little charity. I am truly grateful for all the help I have received, despite my failings in being able to manage you all. Thank you for teaching me so much, and for being there for me when I needed it.

Monique