ARGH! Committee Issues!

[winkiebear]

I was *asked* to be on a committee at my company.  The committee leaders *asked* me to take care of a small part of the project.  I *completed* said task, and gave them the file.  I was told "it looks great!"



TODAY I receive a blanket email to the committee members from the committee leaders with the file attached.  NOT in the same format .... so, curious little me opens it up to find they've COMPLETELY changed everything I did.  



I am not so completely egomaniacal to think that I am the only person who could do this *correctly*.  So, the fact that the file was changed is not what bothers me.  What ticks me off is that the changes made are "fluffy" and "safe", whereas my original input was on the mark, and true and honest.



Now, this wouldn't be so bad, if the committee wasn't supposed to energize our company about an initiative taking place.  The "fluffy" and "safe" changes make it look like a high school team building exercise!



I am becoming disgusted with the path the committee leaders are taking this initiative down.  It's a worthy issue/cause/whatever.  But it's being diluted and it's not staying TRUE.  Instead of *celebrating* to energize, the committee leaders are, well, they're not leading!



Any advice? I'm so ticked off I'm ready to quit the committee.  As it stands, I will not participate in the activities, because the message is too watered down.

[countrigal]

Winkie, I'm a take-the-bulls-by-the-horn type person, so my suggestion/question is this.  Is there someone you can bring this up to?  Someone you can go to and voice how you feel, where you thought the committee was supposed to go and where you see it heading, ask why the "fluff and stuff" method was used on your report...  Maybe there are others on the committee who feel the same way but are not vocal enough to say anything on their own.  If you speak out, at least you get to voice your opinion, others may stand behind you on this, and maybe things will change.  Worst case, you spoke your piece and are asked to resign from the committee, which is something you're already looking at doing.  I suspect though, that you won't be asked to resign because you were specifically picked to be on this committee, which means someone thinks you would do a good job with it.  So stand up, take your place on the firing line, and fire... see who fires back.  Maybe in the ensuing communication you can find out where the committee is expected to be heading (maybe different than originally stated or how you viewed it) and ideas can be shared with all involved.



Either way, good luck.  It's a tough spot to be in when you're on a committee that you don't feel you can support.

[msgladiator]

I think CountriGal hit the nail on the head, winkiebear!  You are in management because you took the bull by the horns.  Follow the same mindset and do the same in being a part of the committee.  Leaders stand up and say something.  Take charge!  

[winkiebear]

Thanks, guys, for the advice.  



Just wanted to let you know what happened.  I told the committee leader that I felt the true meaning of the initiative was getting lost, but after that I left it alone, because I'm not the company leader for this initiative - there are far more experienced people leading this.  So, I sat back and watched, expecting a near-flop.



I am truly excited to say that I was completely wrong!  The associates in the company LOVE every activity that has been implemented.  It's a great success!



So, I would have to say the moral of this is, if you think you have a valid point, make yourself heard.  It doesn't hurt, but don't become obnoxious and full of self-importance.

[countrigal]

Thanks for sharing... That was a good point to remember too, which is something that tends to be forgotten a lot.  I'm glad that it all worked out in the end.