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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

WWYD? Rude behaviour at a committee meeting. I'm not sure how to deal with it.

82 replies

LeanneFromEpsom · 14/02/2024 10:49

Hope this isn't too long. I need to set the context. I also wasn't sure where to post it. I guess it's about relationships of sorts. Definitely not AIBU. Sorry for the length.

I'm on a committee with four other people, two women in their 60s, the chair who is a man in his 60s and then another man my own age, and then me. My role is the comms person, which is the simplest and least involved part which works for me because of other commitments. I don't even do the social media, someone else does that. I send out newsletters quarterly and occasional bulletins. The over 60s don't work, I do and so does the guy my age. I have a very demanding full time role with extra committee work for that (four work related committees) on top of it and I also have another part time work commitment on top of all of that, so this small element of committee work suits me. We have committee meetings every 6 weeks or so and I host them at my place of work (to save the cost of hiring a venue). The three older people are very very involved with this. I am committed to it too but my time investment is less for practical reasons.

I send out a newsletter quarterly, it goes out via email and also to those who request it via snail mail. I produce them from articles submitted, the chairperson gets them printed and delivers them for me to put in envelopes (that I go out and buy, along with stamps) and create mailing labels and then go and find a letterbox to post them in.

The last newsletter went out the day I was due back from holiday. I sent it out using the mailing list (email list) and then realised the next day that I hadn't copied in the committee members, so they got a copy the next day. It's easy just to cc them in for next time, but I blame jet lag.

At the committee meeting yesterday one of the other members turned on me asking why I had done that, nobody knew it had gone out and said "I'm going to be rude here you are not very efficient." I'd just worked a 9 hour day without a break and gone straight to this meeting from 6.30 - 8pm after also getting some very bad news about a family member. The other woman joined in. The men just looked on.

The thing is she is probably right, I didn't do a brilliant job last time. I accept that. But that was not the forum to raise it in front of everyone as a personal attack. I had the wind taken out of me and I didn't even respond, just nodded. She does a great job on the committee herself, but I chose this role because of the time factor. I see this as bullying, and she was right, she was rude.

If I challenge her, either 1-1 or in the group, then I think the other members might gang up on me. I think the chair was remiss in not stepping in. I'm usually very good at standing up for myself but yesterday I was just exhausted. On top of all that, I was using public transport and there was a breakdown there, resulting in me getting home at midnight. That's not her fault but it added to the crapness of the day. If I don't say anything then I'm not setting boundaries.

WWYD?

OP posts:
HalebiHabibti · 14/02/2024 10:51

I'd drop this committee as they don't appreciate you!

TokyoSushi · 14/02/2024 10:56

Honestly, I'd leave the committee.

Grrrpredictivetex · 14/02/2024 10:56

I presume you don't get paid for this so why add to your heavy workload?
Tell them to find some 'more' efficient or do it themselves. They don't deserve you, so let them know it.

GoodOldEmmaNess · 14/02/2024 10:56

In principle it doesn't seem unreasonable to raise what you admit is your inefficiency in this committee, provided it wasn't done with hostility. Tone is everything I suppose and it is hard for you to convey that in your O:P.

Why do you see it as a personal attack, rather than simply raising a problem? Perhaps because you are exhausted and stressed. Would this be an opportunity for you to think about whether you can continue working on the committee, or whether you are just asking too much of yourself?

PoppingTomorrow · 14/02/2024 10:56

"That is rude. And it's also inaccurate. I do this on top of a full-time job, so I have to be efficient. All members apart from committee got their newsletter on the planned day. Committee members got it one day later. If there were any actual issues that materialised as a result of that delay please articulate them and I am happy to work on a solution".

(I don't really understand how the newsletter is simultaneously email and paper/post?)

Sparklfairy · 14/02/2024 10:57

Have there been other instances where you haven't been very 'efficient'?

I only ask because my first thought was you could bring it up at the next meeting. Something fairly casual like, 'Look I know words were said at the last meeting but I think we should all remember that everyone here is trying their best, and obviously the jet lag meant that was a one-off incident. I don't think we should be berating each other for a one-time mistake. Let's keep it professional.'

You said they might all gang up on you, and if this one member starts mouthing off and saying, 'Well there's also x, y and z you didn't do efficiently either,' then the above could backfire!

Almahart · 14/02/2024 10:57

I assume you are volunteering? I'd be equally direct back and consider leaving. Not out of spite, but honestly, do you really want or need this in your life?

Beamur · 14/02/2024 10:59

A voluntary role presumably?
I would either let it go and reflect on the fact that this whole organisation is very important to her and she was unnecessarily rude about a minor slip.
Alternatively I would ask to speak with her privately and have a conversation about this. You accept you made a very small mistake, but it was of no consequence and you felt her criticism and that of the other person rather disproportionate. You will try to get it right in future, but if she has any issues, you'd appreciate it being dealt with more tactfully.

SewingBees · 14/02/2024 10:59

I think you should approach the chair directly and paraphrase what you have said in this post, including your expectation that the chair would step in and quash the unfair criticism. If their response is inadequate then step down. No-one needs that kind of crap in their busy lives.

Bestdoanamechange · 14/02/2024 11:00

Apart from this occasion, do you think there are other times when you think you haven’t been “efficient”? What does efficient actually mean in the context of what you are doing? Perhaps you have to explore that with the person who raised it - but maybe by email so there is time for that person to reflect.

Do you really want to be involved in the committee, especially with everything else you have on?

Beamur · 14/02/2024 11:00

Speaking to the Chair is a good idea - especially if you decide not to speak directly to the person who was rude

Nots453 · 14/02/2024 11:02

LTB

spanishviola · 14/02/2024 11:05

One error doesn’t make you inefficient. I’d speak to the chair and express your disappointment at lack of support when you were spoken to like that. Say you’d like a minuted apology from the committee and the person who made the comment and suggest in future any criticisms should be directed to the chair in formal manner and not at individuals in a meeting. Or something along those lines.

endofthelinefinally · 14/02/2024 11:07

Honestly I would just resign and leave them to stew in their own juice.
I used to volunteer in a secretarial roll in a youth/sports club. I got so fed up of the complaining and in fighting that I gave notice. I had done the job for years and was relieved to walk away and leave them to get on with it.

Harvestfestivalknickers · 14/02/2024 11:13

I'd go into the next meeting and say due to the comment about your 'inefficiency ' you believe it's time to stand down as you aren't in a place to commit as much time as other committee members as you have a full time role besides this voluntary one. You've enjoyed helping and get immense satisfaction from it but obviously your efforts are falling short of expectations so believe it's better someone else covers the role. All said with a big smile.

Couldyounot · 14/02/2024 11:15

TokyoSushi · 14/02/2024 10:56

Honestly, I'd leave the committee.

Yes, this - and I have done exactly that myself on occasions in the past

CrotchetyQuaver · 14/02/2024 11:16

Speak to the chair and express your disappointment at the way it was handled. This is a hiccup not a disaster.

Seriously consider resigning and let them get on with it if this carries on. Nobody needs this kind of thing in their lives.
Or you stage a coup at the next AGM, field a full slate for the committee and make sure it's packed with your candidates supporters to get them voted in.

LeanneFromEpsom · 14/02/2024 11:19

GoodOldEmmaNess · 14/02/2024 10:56

In principle it doesn't seem unreasonable to raise what you admit is your inefficiency in this committee, provided it wasn't done with hostility. Tone is everything I suppose and it is hard for you to convey that in your O:P.

Why do you see it as a personal attack, rather than simply raising a problem? Perhaps because you are exhausted and stressed. Would this be an opportunity for you to think about whether you can continue working on the committee, or whether you are just asking too much of yourself?

It was hostile though and it was personal. Raising a problem should have been done by talking to me separately, or asking the chair to talk to me.

OP posts:
LeanneFromEpsom · 14/02/2024 11:21

@PoppingTomorrow Because members express a preference of how they would like to receive it. I don't personally think we should cater to both.

OP posts:
SpringleDingle · 14/02/2024 11:21

I'd leave the committee - they can sort their own shit out!

Mumsnut · 14/02/2024 11:22

Email your resignation and don’t go back

PoppingTomorrow · 14/02/2024 11:23

LeanneFromEpsom · 14/02/2024 11:21

@PoppingTomorrow Because members express a preference of how they would like to receive it. I don't personally think we should cater to both.

OK fair enough. So the only people who didn't receive it on the planned date were the committee who received it 24 hours later? My response stands. I'd just add them to the main mailing list so you dint need to remember to cc them.

Cattenberg · 14/02/2024 11:26

Harvestfestivalknickers · 14/02/2024 11:13

I'd go into the next meeting and say due to the comment about your 'inefficiency ' you believe it's time to stand down as you aren't in a place to commit as much time as other committee members as you have a full time role besides this voluntary one. You've enjoyed helping and get immense satisfaction from it but obviously your efforts are falling short of expectations so believe it's better someone else covers the role. All said with a big smile.

I would do this but in writing. I wouldn’t bother going to the next meeting.

Overtheatlantic · 14/02/2024 11:27

What she should have said: Leann please let us know if you need any support. We know you have a lot going on so don’t hesitate to reach out.