Just don't end up like Susan Boyle. There's nothing worth that. I'm not much help because I don't know how you can compete against cheaters--and IMHO--I think your opponent is cheating! Look on the bright side. Chances are you'll win so be confident and hope for the best. I hope you post good news later tonight or in the morning. GOOD LUCK, ANN!!!

Thanks for the encouragement, Patti. I'm just one of those people that seem to show just what they're feeling on their face. I would never make a good poker player...lol!!!

I guess you just have to put up the front while in front of people and suck your thumb in private. Truthfully what is wrong with being disappointed...

"Truthfully what is wrong with being disappointed..."

Just what I was thinking too!

Nothing wrong with disappointment. I just hate it when it shows. I guess I just don't want this person to know she can get to me.

Nyeh! (shrug) It would be their loss.

I never let them see me sweat...put on the biggest smile, and congratulate the winner.
Do the tears and foot stomping in private.

People watch the reactions of the loser more than the winner's, and admire a grace and poise in times of stress.

It seems very creepy that the other lady only announced she was running last week. It seems like some people are kind of greedy! Time to let a new kid run the show! GO ANN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I was working, I made it a point to never show emotion. If I was happy, yes. But if I was disappointed or my feelings hurt, I never let them see me cry. I'd go home for that.

I know you have put a lot of thought and new ideas into this organization (too bad we can't 'show up' and vote for you)! Yes, you deserve it, but fairness doesn't always win. Remember you gave it a shot, and the chance will come around again eventually.

At some point you might want to suggest they change the rules. I was on a school council a few years ago, and we instituted a bylaw that you had to attend the two previous meetings to have the right to vote on an issue, and it was for that very reason. Someone had stacked the meeting with people that voted for her, and those people never even came back again.

Anyway, I wish you luck, and keep us posted.

I road rage.

Just kidding. :~) Kind of.

I don't think Susan Boyle was disappointed as much as she was a victim of the media not to mention overcome with exhaustion.

Her life was exposed to the world and a lot of it wasn't nice, about her being frumpy et al. I'd die if someone got a pic of me without make up and flat hair running to the mailbox in my husbands slippers and big shirt. Then to see it on the cover of a newspaper or magazine? OMG. Kill me now. I can only imagine how she Susan must have felt :~(

It's kind of like "holiday let down", you plan for months and months, spend, spend, spend, plan, spend, shop, cook, invite relatives, it's all going to be perfect. Christmas Day comes, things don't quite turn out the way you expected because you are so stressed, then comes Boxing Day and the "holiday let down" sets in.

Except Susan's let down was on a much bigger and public scale.

I feel so bad for the dear heart, she finally got the chance to live her dream - and it practically destroyed her.

As much as I can't stand Simon Cowell, lol, he has showed much concern and compassion for her well being and didn't exploit her or build her up like the press did.

I'm amazed that she didn't fall apart long ago.

I've had a few disappointing set backs in the past few weeks. None of it was fair and all of it was unecessary. So I quietly plot revenge (that I never follow through with) and curse the stars who all seemed to be misaligned right now and then I keep a low profile to avoid any further disappoinotment. NExt week I'll be on top of my game again.

Or, I'll take up road rage. :~)

BJ

I'm sorry, this post wasn't about Susan Boyle at all! LOL That's how my week has been going. DUH.

To ANN: Try blogging! Disappointment is OKAY to feel. It's hard to know how you're going to react. I've been known to cry (a LOT, I'm a cryer and I hate that) and I swear. I'm a real gracious looser. LOL I don't swear out loud and I can usually cover up my crying, but, it's my initial reaction. You can always go drink until you are in love with the world again. lol I hope you win!!!!!!

BJ - not always on the same page as everyone else.

Grin and bear it and go on. That's how I was taught.

I was always taught that if something you want badly was meant to be, it will be, but if not, then not !! Sometimes no matter what we do, it just does not happen.
I sometimes cry and then figure that it wasn't supposed to be. But I will be the first to admit, that sometimes it really hurts like heck.

Helen

It's now wednesday am...ann how did the election turn out...we are all waiting to hear?

I have a pity party for about 10 minutes and then get over it. To be classy though, you can't let it show except to your best friends.

Thanks so much for all of your comments, suggestions and good wishes. The good news is....I WON!!! I don't think it was a landslide but I did win. From looking at the people in the room and pretty much knowing who was supporting me, I think it was a very close election. Since my opponent was chairing the meeting, it was amusing to see some of the "tricks" she attempted top pull off. One really good one was her suggestion to start the meeting 30 minutes early. We had our executive board meeting at 6:30 and there was no business, so she suggested that we start the meeting (and have the election) at 6:30. I'm sure she thought I had people that weren't there at 6:30, since the election was supposed to be at 7:00. Well, that didn't fly at all and the voting was at 7:00. She also tried to say you had to stay until the end of the meeting to vote and that didn't fly either. We had one member having breathing problems and one that had an outpatient procedure yesterday, both of whom needed to leave after voting. So...after 10 years...a change will finally come.

Congratulations!

So how did the loser handle losing?

Congratulations Ann!!!!

Congratulations! Good things come to those who wait.

We had our executive board meeting at 6:30 and there was no business, so she suggested that we start the meeting (and have the election) at 6:30. I'm sure she thought I had people that weren't there at 6:30, since the election was supposed to be at 7:00. Well, that didn't fly at all and the voting was at 7:00. She also tried to say you had to stay until the end of the meeting to vote and that didn't fly either.
Egads, she was sure grasping at straws, wasn't she? That is outlandish, first wanting to move the vote up to 6:30, and then in the opposite direction to the end of the meeting. It sounds like the majority realized what the shyster was attempting to do.

Sue

Way to go,Ann!! Glad you won, but REALLY glad to see the other gal LOSE!

Congratulations!!!

Linda

Congratulations Ann! I was going to post what my Mother would say. She would from time to time bake our preacher a raspberry pie. Well, one time the preacher said to her, Martha, I am really getting hungry for a raspberry pie. She replied, "Well get over it!" She was out of raspberries. He got the biggest kick out of her saying that. She was 90 years old at the time. So that was my Mother's way of telling you how to deal with disapointment, get over it.:)

Sue

My opponent acted as if she was shocked! After all, she had been president of this organization for 10 years.

I was quiet and subdued, but after the meeting, made sure to thank everyone personally that I thought voted for me. I remembered how rude she was last year when she won and her group did all the cheering and yelling, making her opponent feel really bad. I took her feelings into consideration and didn't want to make her feel bad. I have always believed that showing class in any situation is best.

Congratulations Ann!!

She must have been worried from the get go. I think it will be refreshing to all the members to have some new leadership. People like your opponent drive people away from groups.

Congrats!!!! I'm so glad you won. Sounds like she didn't deserve to continue in that role, when she is trying to resort to dirty tricks.

I'm so glad to hear that you won. I read your orginal post last night and I had my fingers crossed.
I'm sure your opponent will not go quietly, so now you get to practice your "gracious but firm tactics".
Best of luck and congrats!!!

You all were so great with your tips and kind words. When I arrived at the meeting last night, I had my big girl panties on and was ready to deal with a loss, if it had gone that way. And yes, I have a feeling I'm going to be wearing those big girl panties a lot during these next few meetings.

It seems you have many intelligent members in your organization! Congratulations!

Congratulations! A lot of others must have thought her replacement was long overdue as well.

Bet you get things done the right way too.

Suzi

I completely agree with Monica.

However, about mid way through this year, I would present an argument for changing the way the elections are conducted, or - better yet - get a friend to present it for you.

Everyone knows why and will remember the events surrounding this election. That is the greatest chance of change you might have.

However, it's a fact that people are very lazy - they usually don't want to chance the change of the status quo unless for some reason they get really irritated. If this woman's behavior doesn't really irritate them enough, then she might very well win simply because she sits that seat already. People really ARE quite lazy when it comes to enacting change.

If you prepare ahead of time, you might prevent this stuff from happening next year - just wait long enough for it not to appear to be a deeply personal thing. Lose with grace and next year you might very well win due to the grace you exhibited this year!

For the record, I think this woman needs to GO *LOL*

Of course you would feel disappontment and are entitled to feel it. We feel what we feel, even if we aren't actually entitled to that feeling. It is what it is.

But, how we *handle* those feelings - that is the REAL sign of content of character - that's what it's all about, isn't it - and it's what everyone around us remembers about us.

The problem with this organization is the way the bylaws are written. They say that as long as a member's is in good standing (dues paid) any voting rights cannot be withheld from a member. Thus, even if a member does not attend a meeting throughout the entire year, she can still show up and vote. I really don't think this is right but since this rule is made at a national level, there is little that can be done to change it. Personally, if I didn't attend meetings, know the candidates or keep up with issues, I would stay home and not even think about voting.

Glad to hear the good news Ann.I wouldn't tamper with the voting rule change at all...that would open up a hornets nest, and in reality , that is how every election in this country is held.No proof or citizenship required in some states. So if you pay your dues, then you can vote works for me.

june

Woo hooooo! Well done! Congrats.

So tell us, how did SHE handle HER disappointment and how did YOU contain YOUR excitement???

Enquiring minds ... :~)

Congratulations! Going around to thank all there, whether they voted for you or not is good. Just be careful she does not undermine you. You might want to quietly make a list of things you would like to change, accomplish, achieve etc, at home lock it up, but review it monthly. Is the executive board the same? Do you get along with them? Yes there will be changes, every new president has their own ways, ideas and agenda. Go slow, be firm, be positive, and try to bring in new people.
Good luck
PS. I was president of a PTA many years ago and found out I prefer not to be in charge. I like keeping books and records much better. I am not a leader.