I am learning, much too late in life, to say no to people without apologizing. For reference, I am 76 years old and have always tried to accommodate, even to go out of my way, to let other people’s shortcomings be overlooked as I made whatever-it-is happen for them. Well, no more. I am done with that nonsense.

This blog post is a form of textual growl as I try to process the frustrations I am experiencing in composing a newsletter for a community social group. Yes, this is a rant.

I have spent the past year as the assistant to the former newsletter editor and now it is down to me to take on the editor’s role. I am doing my best to learn the software that the previous editor used, but it is a very glitchy system and I grind my teeth when it doesn’t respond to me as I would like. I am also still learning the names and functions of the various people involved in the group and trying to sidestep some interpersonal politics.

I find myself thinking about the club’s newsletter for a couple of weeks prior to its creation and I try to incorporate images that will enhance it. I take scenic photographs that the local members will recognize and images of gatherings that I think will appropriately add to some text on the pages.

At the same time, I am receiving emails, hand-written messages, recordings of meetings, and memories of hallway conversations to try to incorporate all the details that club members would like to see in the newsletter.  It is a large club with a couple of dozen activity and volunteer groups. Most of the contributions to the newsletter are fine, but some messages are not proofread, some are factually incorrect, and some are simply absent.

I have tried to make it clear that I would like submissions to be sent to me via email and that I will not accept contributions after a certain date. Even so, I get messages a day or two later asking if it is OK to send in a late supplement to this month’s newsletter. No. It is not OK! At that point I have already sent it to the person who does the distribution.

I am cognizant that all the people I am communicating with are seniors and some are more computer-savvy than others. Also, some are travelling a lot, some have very active social lives, and some are a little laissez faire about deadlines. But, even so, I have my limits. I had to draw a line in the sand. I can only entertain so much imprecision before my teeth-grinding becomes perilous. Consequently, I am saying “no” more often. No, I won’t accept your late submission. No explanation. No apology. Just, No.

I’m sorry if that is a problem for you.