I am a member of a society, which has a full all-members all-day event once a year, a journal that is published twice a year, and other events and communications throughout the year - visits and so on. I have contributed to the journal and been asked to co-edit this for the last three editions (Starting May last year). The main editor has listed me as a co-editor in the actual publication and has mentioned my contributions and articles throughout. It is a proper journal, not just something like a church newsletter. She has also been helpful in my own research, with some fantastic contributions and insights.
We'd been in touch quite a bit but not met, then last week at the "big event" I suggested we swapped numbers and met up on the day. I did call her when I arrived and we said hello. She dashed off.
The whole day went well. The woman who was MC-ing it was really good. I know her and the rest of the committee. But I was never mentioned once in the "thanks to the committee" and it was all "Sally did a fantastic job with the journal yet again". I'm not invited to any of the zoom committee meetings either (people in the committee live all over the country). The people on the committee are aged 75, 84, 70, the chairperson (a man, he wasn't there this time) is 64. Sally the editor is 52. They were saying they wanted younger people on the committee. When I told my friend about my experience she said "they might be trying to ease you out" - but I don't think it's that, because I'm not really "in", in fact I don't think they notice me at all.
I feel cross, and I also feel I should say something but I don't know what to say and to whom. Without looking like an arse, or confrontational. I would like to be involved in the zooms and be recognised. I don't want to take over from Sally either. I know this is rambling but I suppose it is just my stream of consciousness thoughts trying to process it.