I had the same problem last year with the Trasurer/Asst. Treasurer positions as both were moving up to the middle school. The way I handled it was to discuss various active members (and even a couple of non-active - though thinking about becoming active) with the Executive committee. I approached a couple of people and found it very difficult to fill. I did find a husband/wife team who was willing, but I think my assurance of continuing to run the group/helping them as much as possible helped sway them.
The President position would be even more difficult to fill as you can't say I'll help you full time, as the idea of a new President is that you are no longer going to be doing it. This makes me think that at least a year before the active President leaves the school the position should be turned over to someone, or at least co-chaired with someone, who would then take on the job next year. Many people are nervous about being in charge by themselves until they become acclimated. By co-chairing with someone before leaving you make it easier for that person, share the load and teach them everything they need to know so that come the next year they are ready to step up as the one and only President.
Necessity is the mother of invention. Often times people don't step up because they don't perceive that they are needed. It's time to use those connections that you've made over all these years and talk them into the job. As for the numbers game, everyone is busy doing something - they've just been lucky enough to have you and haven't had to opt some of their time to helping the PTO.
mommytlc;141359 wrote: My son has 2 more years at his current school, and the principal is excited that I will be around. This is my 3rd year as PTO President. I have enjoyed it very much, but I have recently returned to the workforce. This might cause a problem because no one else is around who is willing to fill my shoes. We have almost 500 students, and our PTO consists of 5 parents. How sad is that?
I think folks often will step up. Where I last worked the mantra was "The king is dead...long live the king" meaning that sometimes we just have to let go and if what we've done is strong enough to persevere it will...and then we all have this great sense of making greatness occur....
Anyway--we'll see...I don't feel badly about leaving...I've done my share and I know I've worked as hard as I possibly can and I know most folks at the school are thankful for my service....
I've thought a lot about this situation. I thought I'd try to pick out someone that had a child with several years left in the school. I might even be prepared for that last year to still do most of what I was doing, (as long as they wanted me to do it), as long as they'd agree to chair the meeting.
My son has 2 more years at his current school, and the principal is excited that I will be around. This is my 3rd year as PTO President. I have enjoyed it very much, but I have recently returned to the workforce. This might cause a problem because no one else is around who is willing to fill my shoes. We have almost 500 students, and our PTO consists of 5 parents. How sad is that?
