Question: No one wants to be President

What should I do if no one steps up to be President next year. I have been President for 3 years. This last year only because no one stepped up to take over. My VP cannot do it because she has taken on more responsibilities at work. What should I do if at the end of the year we don't have a new President. Our school needs the HSA to work properly. I know we are all called to serve but haven't I served enough?

Asked by Anonymous

Answers:

Advice from PTO Today

Rose H writes:
Sounds like you've worked really hard and you are understandably concerned. You may want to make a renewed push for volunteers to see if you can find a few folks who would be interested in taking on small or specific jobs that you currently do. If you are available to mentor these volunteers, you may find that someone will eventually want to take on more responsibility and then, over time, step into a leadership role. You could see if someone might be interested in shadowing you as you do the job so they could learn more about it. It is a gradual process, which is difficult, because it would be nice to be able to move on knowing everything is set. If you do reach the end of the school year and do not have anyone ready to step up as president, your group can still move forward as long as you have a decision-making process in place and people taking care of key jobs. Also, you could consider staying on in as an advisory capacity going into the next school year if that works for you.

Community Advice

firefighter464 writes:
Another possibility might be: Co-presidents? I know that sounds silly if you can't get ne, how do you get 2, but maybe the work load is what scares people? It'd also add a bit to your job just now if you could prepare duties to divide so that the job title for each is clear w/out duplication....just a thought....Volunteers in today's economy are looking for more way to get paying jobs, I think, it's tough, but think like they do and create position that fits their needs, not yours. Make it Do-able time-wise and maybe(?) you'll get more response? Another thing: a lt don't respond if they don't even know what the job description IS. Make it CLEAR.

Advice from PTO Today

Rose H writes:
Firefighter -- Co-presidents is a great idea. Sharing the responsibilities can help people feel more comfortable in their role. Thanks for sharing.

Community Advice

HoodSiegal writes:
Both respondents above make excellent points. I was PTO president for two and a half years because no one else would step up. I think many would have been fine for me to take on a 3rd full year, but I finally just said that I was not going to do it. I was spent. I recruited, but was not pushy. I asked others to help me recruit, including the director of the school. Luckily, someone stepped up who is doing a great job. I think many people just assumed they didn't need to volunteer or help find someone as long as I was continuing to do the work. I had to be mentally willing to let the group go leaderless if no one volunteered. Once it was clear that I was no longer the president, people got serious. Good luck!