Frustration on committee....

LegacyUser

I have moved to a new area recently, and decided to join my local residents association to make friends, and help out with issues in our local community. I have young children myself and am currently unemployed, and I have a bit of background in community work. So without sounding big-headed, I am a good coordinator when it comes to summer projects/community games and so on.
I really don't want to leave this group despite the fact that the chairperson is driving me insane. We all know people like him - at every meeting, he takes on EVERYTHING 'Yes, I'll do that, yes I'll arrange that, yes I'll organise that..' and so on. And yet, he does NOTHING!
There are four of us on this committee - one of the women never opens her mouth, the other one talks constantly about her children, this guy and myself.
I am getting more and more frustrated with him - I have tried to take minutes and do 'actions' for each meeting, just to ensure that things get done after each meeting....but no, he decided it's not appropriate and 'sure we all know what we're talking about' - I also tried to take responsibility for some of the stuff that's to be done for the summer project this year but I was told 'Ah no, sure I'll sort that out...'. And yet I know he won't...

I am becoming more and more frustrated with this situation and while I know I could walk away and leave him to it, I want to stay and try to improve things in the area for my own children, and for others of course...my husband thinks I'm mad and I should just leave but I really don't want to. I am also aware that I'm the outisder (although I am living here over a year) and they may not want me on the committee but I want to stay...
Any ideas on how I can deal with this guy - who takes responsibility for everything and yet, never follows anything up.

baby and crumble

Honestly? If it's a voluntary thing, you really can't do anything. I feel your pain, I really do. But he seems like one of those guys who gets a buzz out of being chair. The only possible thing i could see as happening is putting yourself forward for chair at the next agm whenever they're voted in, and hope to beat him.

LegacyUser

thanks for the response. He has at least another year to go on this committee though - and of course, this is his third 'term'. I think most others gave up once they joined and saw the type of person he was.

It's like he desperately wants to control everything, and yet does nothing to back it up whatsoever. The stories I have heard about various community projects falling apart because he did nothing...or because others just gave up with him.
I am determined to stick with this - I can see so much good work that could be done but even when I offer my services, it's like 'Ah no, I'll do that'. I had said I'd apply to the dublin bus community initiative, where they provide small grants for areas...'No, no, no' he said 'I'll put that application in myself, sure I almost have it finished...'
Turns out the closing date was last week and he 'didn't get round to posting the application'!!!!

Morag

Take minutes/notes anyway.
Sounds like he has no idea how to chair a meeting and what the 'honour' of the position.
Follow up on the things you want to and then report back to the meeting, don't let him browbeat you.

StupidLikeAFox

Dont wait til the meetngs to find out what hes done, call him about a week before the meting to see how hes progressing or call over for some other reason and casually ask how hes getting on with so and so

brianthebard

I think you need to bite the bullet and just say when you offer to do something and he refuses, "no, I think you should let us help you we'll accomplish more that way".

start taking minutes and at the next few meetings recall the minutes to "jog your own memory" follow him up on his promises. You might think badly of the others in the group for not doing more to help but you could be seen by them as being the very same if you keep your mouth shut.

The only reason he refuses minutes ect is because he knows how painfully clear his lack of work will become.

solerina

Write a list of bullet point on what was discussed at the last meeting, beside each item write to be done by and add his name....bring a copy of the list to the next meeting....and give everyone a copy, then ask has he done each item....if you keep doing this at every meeting it will become obvious to everyone that he is not doing things and you may be able to get him to allow you to do some of the things you want to do.

Ken.

If it was me i'd go to some neighbor's and see about setting up a new committee and let the guy have meetings with himself but with you being new to the area that might not be an option for you.

LegacyUser

Thanks for this advice, it's very helpful. We have a meeting next Tuesday and I have a note of the last meeting we had. Does anyone know how I could call an AGM or whatever needs to be done to vote someone else in? Or is that something I can even do? I don't want the role myself - I do want to stay involved but I don't want his job, I would just love if someone else was in charge, thanks

Pebbles68

OP I can totally relate, some people just see residents meetings as a social evening and never actually get anything done.
Rather than showing this guy up why not take a different approach. Make a list of points agreed, actions to be taken and who is responsible. Then towards the end of the meeting say something like; "This is madness, we can't ecpect you to do everything, that's not fair. I'll tell you what I'll do ...etc", and share the tasks among the 4 of you. That way he doesn't feel like you are challenging him but you are trying to help. He really isn't in a position to argue, and if he tries you could say "no, I wouldn't hear of it, burden you with all the work while we do nothing".
As you are new in the area it might be a more diplomatic approach. Good luck.

black & white

If I was in your situation, I'd speak to the other people of the committee prior to the next meeting and try to get them to agree to taking minutes and any other changes you suggest. Then at the meeting you can propose your changes and bring them to a vote and if things go well, win your vote. Yer man would be outflanked.

Otherwise you're only pishing against the wind.