Re: more #$ -at- %#^&$# secretary stuff...

[Nancy Hickman <nhickman -at- GVI -dot- NET>]

I have to agree with Elna on the problems of being a general, catch-all
person on a team. First of all, people rarely calculate and put into a
schedule the amount of time that someone takes to do these
administrative tasks. If it's not taken into account, it likely means
that they don't value your time and your other responsibilities and
underrate the amount of time and effort it takes to do your "real" job.
You can bet that this sort of low value also will trickle down into your
salary or rate review, requests for training and equipment, and requests
for additional head count.

Second, if it's a team effort, where are the other team members? Is it a
rotating task on the team? Why don't they have time and attention to do
it and you do? Are you not expected to participate in the meeting? Do
you have to bribe with copying and bake cookies and bring treats to get
an invitation to meetings? (By the way, there is a difference between a
mutually respectful, supportive team that helps one another, and a team
where one person is the step and fetch it to the others, but can't
expect the same in return.) Take a look at the situation. Is your chief
value to the team your skills, experience, and wisdom, or is it your
cheapness and "step and fetch-ness"? If it is, you are easily replaced,
and they are hardly looking to encourage, recruit, and compensate the
"best and the brightest" in your field.

I have to add that if you can actively participate in a meeting's
discussion, take your own notes, take the meeting minutes, and do your
"real" job too, then you should be one of the most highly paid persons
there!

-- Nancy Hickman