Transition
For years my pin code was 2012—don’t worry I’ve changed it long ago. 2012 would be the mark of 30 years as a city educator, I would be the minimum age 55, eligible to retire and begin collecting my pension. The year seemed far, far away and then came astoundingly fast. On my birthday in 2012 I was prepared. My volunteer projects, PhD program, redecorating, search for a vacation home, dogs and family were sure to keep me busy.
September was weird, watching all the kids walk by the house on their first day and me with no school waiting. I had retired exhausted admiring those younger, enthusiastic, culturally relevant colleagues who remained in service. They were better suited, I told myself. ‘It’s a young person’s job.’ Occasionally, someone would call in tears and I could make use of my experience and wisdom, sending them back into the fray with a boost—‘I believe in you’.
Visiting my semester abroad son in Italy, I saw many people my age out and about during the day, looking relaxed, gathering around the central town fountain. “Doesn’t anyone work?” I asked our Italian friend. Pepe looked around and said “They are retired with pensions. They stepped aside to enjoy life and so the young people can take over. In this way there are jobs for everyone who needs them.” This sounded just about right to me.
I heard from previous colleagues for a few months, then at the holidays. By a year later it was rare for work associates to check in. The theme was usually that they were jealous of my retirement. I found that I too had a reciprocal sentiment--I was missing having a job. I re-read Marge Piercy’s poem To Be of Use. …The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real.
I joined Martha’s Vineyard Mediation in 2015 as a volunteer, then instructor, then lead mediator, then president of the board of directors, then co-director and now executive director. A place to be of use. My experience running organizations and projects, teaching, writing and budgeting were needed. The decades of involvement in the conflict resolution world had found a place to root.
It was heartening to realize I could make use of my skillsets with MV Mediation. Compared to the school system, the work was leisurely and friendly; the team committed and forthright. I remember reporting to my family during the holidays in 2019 that, yes I was working full time for the mediation program, yes I was not being paid, and yes I was very happy.
Leadership
Being in charge is a welcome burden if one loves the work. Prioritize, grow, solve, invite, balance, offer, improve, teach, think, design, listen, model, clear, write, embrace, budget, collaborate, accelerate, diminish, honor, schedule, involve, redirect, support, delegate, manage, organize, oversee, plan, build, upgrade, propose, unify, sustain—the verb list for a leader is long. Working full time since I was 16 and being in charge for much of that time, I found that being the leader of the mediation program to be a comfortable and familiar role.
Throughout my life I’ve seen a few great examples of effective leaders beyond retirement age. More often I have seen the opposite. Folks who don’t have something to retire to, who become hardened and unmovable in their role, who imagine themselves indispensable, who stay in place seemingly without a care for the next few generations who need to build their leadership chops. I don’t want to be like that. Being comfortable as a leader, I think, should be a contradiction in terms. I think of those folks sitting and chatting around the fountain having handed their work over those younger and culturally relevant.
Retirement
It is time to hand over the leadership steering wheel. This retirement will be in phases, at least that is the plan. For one year I will be working alongside our new Executive Director, to train, support and hand over the job in a phased-in approach. Thanks to a supportive Board of Directors, I will be able to provide coaching, support and training with my successor during fiscal year 2023-24 and thereafter continue to offer my support as lead mediator and course instructor for as long as my services are helpful.
It is ten years after my first retirement. Retiring and not being exhausted, as I was ten years ago, is a great thing. I’m eager to meet our new Executive Director and hopeful that the transition period goes smoothly. I still tremendously love the work we do here at MV Mediation, our organization is robust and we anticipate continuing to grow and improve. Our mission…to serve our community… and our vision…to create an island of conflict resolvers... is a guiding light. I am grateful to have this transition so well thought out. It is a good thing to be of use. I hope to help another leader to plant themself right here. To also be of use.
Sara Barnes, Executive Director