dlf;141721 wrote: I think your plan is a good one. I also think you should probably run all your plans by the Principal and the board member that is active. At least then you've "done your part" to make the system work and you're setting yourself up for success next year. Do your bylaws set the date of the new boards assumption as of a calendar date or as of their election?...either way...you've gotta more forward to get things working so have at it. It is better to beg forgiveness than seek approval sometimes.
d
Thanks for your input d. The Board's service date is the same as the school year. However, I'm going to suggest we ammend this to be more specific (i.e., "two weeks before the first day of school, one week following the last day of school), because I think the PTO should actually start functioning BEFORE school starts so they're ready on day 1.
I think your plan is a good one. I also think you should probably run all your plans by the Principal and the board member that is active. At least then you've "done your part" to make the system work and you're setting yourself up for success next year. Do your bylaws set the date of the new boards assumption as of a calendar date or as of their election?...either way...you've gotta more forward to get things working so have at it. It is better to beg forgiveness than seek approval sometimes.
Greetings all. This is my first time posting, but I've been reading since the beginning of the school year and you all are a wonderful resource!! So thank you.
Here's the deal (and my apologies in advance if this gets long). Technically, we have a current PTO board. However, other than the Treasurer, NO ONE is doing anything. The Vice President hasn't bothered to come to the past 3 meetings. I've only seen the Secretary once. The President started with good intentions, but seems to have just walked away from the position.
This month we (we meaning concerned parents) sent out a call for nominations for next year's board since it was obvious that was the only way it was going to happen. Parents could nominate via the form or during our recent March PTO meeting. I believe only 3 forms were returned. When it came time for the meeting, again, the Treasurer was the only board member in attendance. The parents that attended were the ones wanting to serve on the board. No one was interested in running against each other, before the meeting they had already agreed they wanted to be placed on the ballot as co-officers. So, long story short, our 2008-09 Board was "selected" by default. There's nothing in our current by-laws that covers what happens if no one runs, or runs unopposed, so we felt comfortable not holding an election (waste of time) and asking the Principal to declare everyone winners so we could be in place by April.
Okay, so now we have a "real" board ready, willing and able. We have one more event before the end of school, which is our Fun Day that takes place in June. I know as parents/PTO "members" we can volunteer to make this happen, but what happens when we need the approval of the President and he's no where to be found? What happens when things need to be purchased but the Treasurer can't get approval? (FYI the by-laws do state a signature is required by the Treasurer "and/OR" the President.) Do we turn to the Principal for final approval or defer to the only Board member still involved?
I'm thinking right now we should treat the incoming Board as the "Fun Day Committee" and handle it that way. FYI, I will be a co-President next year. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
