"That" Person at Your Job/School

Recently, I have a new job teaching English full time to first grade students in China. Since the school is new there are no clubs excpet for those that local teachers have or tutoring activities. I tutor kids 1-3 and it goes well. I really love my job and my co-workers...well almost all my co-workers.
In your life there will always be one student, boss, or co-worker who brings you down. Ask anyone who has worked multiple jobs and they will tell you that there is always one person who is rude, a know-it-all, or complains. Often times they don't do anything worth firing for so they stick around even though they make everyone miserable. In some companies, these people get promoted, not because they are worthy of the job, but so they are out of that department. Yes, that is a real thing.

Right now I have a co-worker who is a know-it-all, complains non-stop, and has been caught lying. They were confronted by our department head and that person did dial it down, but they are still pain in the butt. How do you deal with these thorns in your rose garden of a job?

For myself I am still trying to figure this out. I pray that they will be fired or quit their job but it seems that will not be happening soon. Right now things that I am trying to do is...
1. Distance myself. I started off this year trying to be everyone's friend since I am in a new country I knew I had to branch out. Recently, I decided that I would rather be by myself then be with someone so toxic.

2. Let is wash over me. This co-worker often says things rude or ignorant. Usually I would get into lecture mode and teach them the errors of their ways...but people like this do not like "lose." They know they are wrong but since you pointed it out they are now going to fight ten times harder to embarress you in front of everyone. I have to decide what things I can do on my own and when I can ignore my co-workers "advice."

3. Fight when it is necessary. There are times when you have to work as a group and when someone is dead wrong, they are dead wrong. There have only been a few times when I would not let my co-worker get by with something and each time that co-worker put what I wrote to her on a public chat for everyone to see. They went to embarress me and I would not take it. If this happens to you, be professional, be considerate, and word everything well. I took apart her argument piece by piece, showed the group evidence on how XYZ would be better, and stated how my co-worker's method would not work. My co-worker was furious and it showed in her very public response. It got awkward for her and there were times I thought that maybe I should duck out, because it would be easier to quit then keep this argument going. I hate confrontation but what she was saying could not keep going. So far this has worked out for me but I really have to pick my battles carefully.

4. If they won't be positive, I will be. I don't want to be that person that everyone dislikes because I feel bad. I may not like my co-worker but I will not show that at work. My goal is to do little acts of kindness at work that counter the bad. When I see that mean teacher's TA, I smile and give a compliment. You would not believe how much that changes someone's day. If that mean teacher refuses to clean her room because "that's the janitor's job" I will clean my room on my own. If that teacher won't get paper because "she is too busy" I will get the paper and help unjam the printer. It is little and probably unnoticed but dang it! I think it matters.

If anyone has advice on these co-workers please comment below! I would love more advice on this.

End On a Happy Note:  I must admit that sometimes I feel like this but I hope this makes you laugh.
https://youtu.be/zi8ShAosqzI

So You Don't Have a Club Anymore

This title of this blog is called So You Don't Have a Club Anymore and is aimed at those who have graduated high school/college. The question is what can you do after your education to stay involved to motivate people.

There are organizations you can be involved in after school is over such as food banks, politics, church groups, or other volunteer organizations. These would be productive to whatever your cause is and what you want to help others with.

Another thing is to get the word out there. What do you want to help? How can you do that? For myself, my club was the Red Cross so I could volunteer, donate blood or money, or post on my social media about their causes. This generation has the internet widely available to them, so use it for good!

I would suggest is random acts of kindness as well. Writing positive messages in public places, sending flowers to others, and seeing to those who are often ignored. I have seen a lot of these wonderful things on the internet which are totally attainable. Here is a list!

1. No One Sits Alone-Find a person who usually sits alone at your work and sit with them. Super easy! I know the link is for middle schools but I think it still applies.

2. Positive Sticky Notes-A movement that started in England, people started placing positive messages in subways and now it is a world wide movement. Even my club did it a few years ago.

3. Crochet for Care- If you are crafty then you can do this one. There are a ton of crochet projects that have gained popularity including one for premature babies and for those with cancer.

4. Got old books? Donate them! What about clothes? Donate them!

5. Cup of Coffee-At many coffee shops you can "pay it forward" by offering to buy a cup of coffee for the next customer. Usually the next person will pay it forward until it is a long line of paid coffee. Great way to start the day.

One last item, do not be indifferent to others. I assume if you are reading this blog that you aren't (or I hope that you aren't). Seeing a problem and thinking that there is nothing you can do and there is no point in acting is being indifferent. Even if you can't vote, talk about voting. Even if you can't donate money/goods/etc., talk about it. Even if you aren't an international diplomat, talk about it. You will feel useless and angry at times but don't let those who are doing something wrong, keep doing it.

Elie Wiesel said that Holocaust was not caused by hate but by indifference. I know that seems like a big jump but to me it isn't. When Jews were labeled and categorized, how many protests were going on? How many politicians were known to stand up and say it was wrong? How many of the Jewish people's neighbors watched as they were taken away, eager to take their things? They didn't care what happened to them, they didn't hate them, they simply didn't care. I encourage you to at least talk about the wrongs in this world, even if you loses you friends and family. All we have is humanity and dignity, don't lose it because you are indifferent or afraid.

I'll leave with this.

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.”― Elie Wiesel.

First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemoller

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

End On a Happy Note: Have you heard this song? It's amazing. 

Pass the Gauntlet

So I have graduated college and gotten a job. However, I wanted to make sure my club would be okay without me.

Here are ways to help your club thrive after your gone.

Find your most responsible and hardworking club member. You need to find out if they want a position in your club. Odds are that good club members are very active and might be offered offices in other clubs.

Give them more responsibilities step by step while you are still in office.

When (or if) they get elected give them starting materials. What do they need to know about fundraising, doing events, or gaining members? Do you have raffle tickets, t-shirts, or bank account numbers that they need?

Give them a calendar of what you did when you were in charge. I wish I had that when I was president. It is an excellent guide for your future officers.

Give them a copy of the constitution. You have no idea how often I was asked to forward that on. Give them a hard copy and a digital copy.

Once they are in office let them have your number and email. They will ask questions. If you can, show up to the first few meetings with them in charge. Afterwards talk to them about what they did well. This will boost their confidence and encourage them to stay a leader.

Be supportive as much as you can but let them have the reigns. I slowly took myself out of meetings while those students were in charge. That way they didn't rely on me so heavily and it gave me a chance to focus on graduating.

END ON A HAPPY NOTE:
It has been shown that little children and older people together improves mood and gets them both motivated. How cute is this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI9ye459YMk

Responsibility is Empowering

I am happy to report that my club this year has active members and have done really great events. The events have included handing out candy to children at Halloween, helping out with blood drives and my proudest achievement a Zombie Walk. The club was able to raise awareness about safety while having fun. The reason that this went off without a hitch is that everyone had a responsibility.

At the beginning of the year each of the members chose which events we should have and which we shouldn't with an activity called carousel. I hung 10 sheets of paper around the room with the name of one event on sheet. The members each had five stickers that they would put on their top five favorite ideas. The sheets with the most stickers were the most liked. They walk around and around reading what they are and choose which one they like (like a carousel). From there the leaders of the club knew which event to focus our energy on and that the members would more likely be involved.

Image from Redbubble

From there we had students pick an event that they wanted to be part of a committee for. The students did have the option of not joining as well. No reason to force someone to do something they don't want to do. From there the committees voted on who should be their leaders. That is when I (the president) and the adviser sat down the the committee leaders and discussed with them what we were expecting. 

We discussed how much we were willing to spend, why we wanted this even to happen, and the goals for the club. 

The other portion of the meeting was spent discussing jobs. Should there be posters? Then make a member from your group in charge of it. Do we need permits or permission? Better have someone in charge of that. Should there be food or music? There's a job for someone right there. 

The goal is that each person is in charge of something and there are always enough jobs to go around. It is important for the leaders to stress that if they fail at their job, then the whole group will suffer. If the event is done well, then there are many great benefits that should be expressed to the group too.

1. The members with jobs feel they are useful to your group. They feel involved in a part of something for your club and maybe for your school. This person is more inclined to stay in your club and spread word of the club's work. 

2. Members learn skills that they may not have learned otherwise. For example, one student created posters for the first time. Another person talked with the Vice President of the college for permission codes. One student was in charge of safety for the Zombie Walk since it was in the dark and on a road which meant thinking of creative solutions. All the members in the committee had to work on their communication skills with one another to make sure they were on top of their jobs. 

3. Confidence in the club and even in the members themselves will go up when the job is completed well. Each member knows they did a good job and that it was because of them. Those with leadership positions should recognize these accomplishments to the entire club. It seems small but it is so so necessary. 

4. The members who were doing jobs now feel more ready to take on bigger jobs. In a way, you are training these members to take the leadership positions of the club. I won't be able to be president next year so it is my job to find a replacement. The goal I have is to train each of the members so that they will be able to take my place effectively. 

END ON A HAPPY NOTE:

These comics give me to fuzzies.

http://www.neatorama.com/2014/09/11/10-Wonderfully-Adorable-Cartoons-by-Liz-Climo/

Mental Health and Bullying

I plan to be a counselor when I graduate from college. I love helping people and want to motivate others. I want to help those suffering from mental illness. Today I wish I had the chance to help someone with mental illness. 

At my old high school today, a student killed himself. It is not clear if it was bullying or if it was a mental health issue. What is more disturbing is that this is the fourth student suicide at my school in four years. 

What can I do?

What can we do?

First, is to stop playing the blame game. Mental health is not a joke. It's not merely "feeling bad." A person can't "snap out of it."  It is ignorant to blame those who are mentally ill and say that it was their fault. It's ignorant to think that they could have prevented it. It isn't that simple.

Due to chemical imbalances, brain deficiencies, genetics, or their environment, a person develops a mental illness. Watch the video for some information.

I once heard someone say that they wished a person would stop complaining about their depression because it wasn't cancer. No it isn't cancer. I can't say what is worse or better. What I am saying is don't compare the two different pains. Also, don't compare the two treatments. When a person is mentally ill they don't or can't treat themselves. This is where a person can come in and help.

1. Stay informed

Depression Symptoms

Anxiety Symptoms

Anorexia Symptoms

PTSD Symptoms

Glossary of Mental Health Issues in Teenagers

2. Reach Out

Often, those who suffer from mental health issues are embarrassed and will tell you to keep quiet if they have shared with you that they are ill. Unless you are a psychiatrist, you shouldn't keep this to yourself. Their family needs to know. Your school counselor need know. 

There is also the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255. If you are questioning to call them, THEN JUST CALL THEM. A life isn't an issue to take lightly. Or call the National Youth Crisis Hotline at 1-800-442-4673. 

3. Support, Support, SUPPORT

The worst part of mental illness is feeling alone. Check up on them and often. Don't go weeks without contact. A person with mental health wants to be alone but that makes the problem worse. They need someone to talk to or be around that is a positive influence. It sounds intimidating to be around someone who is ill but it can mean recovery for this person. When they are talking to you about mental illness avoid statements that were listed above. These would be better to say.  Or these as well.  Be open as possible.

4. Prevent

Each school needs a mental health program. Find programs that help students with mental health issues. My school has an "Open Door Policy" which is where a student can go to any faculty member with a sign of an open door on their office and talk to them about any issue. They are trained in mental health counseling and are in contact with the residence hall association. Does your school have an open door program? Think about implementing one. Get after school programs that promote positivity.  Raise awareness on mental health. Bring in speakers.

Prevent the stigma by understanding mental health and talking about it. Make more programs or give more funding for mental health. Donate. Watch documentaries. Read. Stop blaming. 

Courtesy of Pinterest

Bullying should not be taken lightly. 

For issues on bullying, a person needs to report if they see any bullying happening. Report to a teacher, counselor, principal, even the police department. "Bullying" is harassment and is against the law. There a few different types of bullying such as mental or physical. There is also the new one which is cyber-bullying, this is what is causing the biggest problems of our day. Do not be a bystander. You can be the solution. 

Campaigns Against Bullying

Educator Tools

Activities Against Bullying

http://www.antibullycampaign.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObdWmULrEQg

Bystander Program

Don't be a Bystander

END ON A HAPPY NOTE:

This has been a heavy post. Hopefully, I can cheer you up. Please enjoy!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/gifs-that-will-make-you-laugh-every-time?sub=2768117_2011286#.wtMXZzdxMy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDU0CTDMk2g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVUfnJipFh0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzx59tmEE_0

Don't Delay...Start Now!

We all get to that point in our lives where we are crazy busy. Currently I'm on Christmas Break at my college and have had a lot of free time. I've recently had to start getting my stuff in a heap to prepare for next semester. One of the items on my list is being more on top of delays. The last month of school is that my club was trying to sell our latest fundraiser, winter car safety kits.

The issue is that I asked for a volunteer to make posters and email our school about the event. The person that volunteered, didn't do the things I asked. It doesn't sound like this is a big deal, and in the grand scheme of things it isn't, but it does hurt the club. Why?

1. It shows that our club can't handle the simple things. If we can't do small items then we certainly can't handle big events. 

2. It shows that we are lazy or careless. This gives the club a bad reputation which means no new members.

3. The word didn't go out about our fundraiser. No one knew about this event going on which hurts our fund for CPR classes. That in itself has it's own consequences. 

What am I supposed to do?

The job as president, or even as a member, is to make sure that no one delays. I did not tell the member that I was disappointed that the posters didn't happen. I gave the assignment to someone else. The email occurrence should have been brought up sooner as well. The member told me that they had said something to me in person about the subject and it was my job to remember. I agreed with this sentiment but frankly, I have such a bad memory. 

That's when I decided to make sure I wouldn't forget. I sent that member an email that said that if they can't handle these assignments, they need to email me, print off a paper for me, or write on my hand that they need someone else to do the job. I also told this person it is their job to find a replacement. They are an adult and can handle that much. 

Being a leader means that you make sure jobs get done but it does not mean you are a babysitter. Organizations like these look good on resumes because they train people to be adults. Giving out responsibilities is one thing, but making sure that the person acts responsible is another. Again, a person doesn't need to be dictator to get the job done. Being assertive is enough. 

Don't delay when it comes to projects. If you have a job, do the job. If you gave the job and aren't satisfied, let them know and don't beat around the bush. 

END ON A HAPPY NOTE:

Not going to lie...I wish I knew someone like this. They would certainly brighten anyone's day! http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/05/24/57/05245709c7b23c81de2ead33eb3e8315.jpg

Progress Thus Far

This year started off pretty rough. I had over twenty people say they were interested in this club. I was told people were excited to start volunteering and helping and being positive. I felt confident and awesome...then we had our first meeting.
Our first meeting had a total of four people. I felt like this...

Courtesy of Buzzfeed

I had done all the planning, knew what I wanted to do, and felt like I had landed on my face. What was I to do?

FIRST I was heavily relying on myself to get things done. I didn't want anyone else's help because I thought I was the only one who could do the job right. Other members needed to have a job as well, my trusty Vice President could have easily done those jobs. As soon as I let others have jobs, membership started to grow. 

SECOND Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will a club's reputation. Membership will grow when the word gets out about us. Currently, we are about ten members active and three inactive. Slowly but surely, we are getting there!

THIRD Some of the people in the club had this mindset of, "We're small so we can slack off." Being a leader does not mean screaming at this people and telling them they suck. A leader states that although we are small, we will work like a larger club. I asked if they needed help or if their responsibilities needed to be someone else's. Immediately, things started getting done. No threats are ever needed when running anything. 

FOURTH Being active in something will get the club's name out there and keep your members. I have repeatedly said in this blog that blender events are needed. After our few small events, are name got out to a few people and our members were glad to do something fun. 

Starting a club can be tedious but after a while you'll be like this guy. 

Victorious. 

Courtesy of Buzzfeed

END ON A HAPPY NOTE:

Halloween is on it's way. Here is a little Halloween humor for you.

http://9gag.com/gag/5083304