In response to the question about how we managed to get so many people to run for office:
I'd like to be able to say we had a great Nominating Committee who did a fabulous job seeking out qualified candidates all year, presenting them with the job expectations, and putting together a strong team that can work together for the good of the students. I'd like to be able to say that,and some day we may get to that point. Unfortunately, in our case, we had a nasty situation. Most of the current board wanted to run again, but many parents were dissatisfied with their performance this year, and an opposing group was formed. The meeting got very tense, but the "new" officers were elected.

I know it may not help you now but you might look into including a nominating committee in your bylaws. This works out so nicely with all the schools I have been involved in. We did not have a single person lined up for anything except our treasurer was doing his second year. The nominating committee met at the school one night with the Principal (as required by our bylaws) and left with a full slate of nominations. On election night there were no further nominations from the floor and the slate was elected. The nominating committee is actually voted on. We try to make sure they are a diverse group with their own pool of resources. Put a committee together and see what they come up with.

We had our elections and I was voted in as the new President with my friend as Vice BUT we still don't have a Treas. or Sec. SO right now I am still Secretary, starting next years progects as President AND the VP and I are going over some VERY messed up books the Treasurer finnally turned over. We are lucky in the way our school district REQUIRES the PTO to have all the books through the school's bookkeeper. No bank check cards, no deposit bags...I mainly spent the morning compairing reciepts and statements. I also learned (as much as I wanted to) I cannot appoint positions. no, nope, nadda. Oh well

The treasurers job is one of the busiest jobs with all the check writing, deposits and book keeping, the early morning calls from teachers etc that forgot to ask for a check etc etc. Because of this it is a hard job to fill. A couple years ago the then President announced that the books would be sealed and PTO shut down if someone did not come forward, someone did but I think we may have the same problem this year, it is the one position that we do not have anyone for yet.

Hi Critter,
How do you get too many people to run for office? We have had nominations open for over a month and so far no one has agreed to run for office. Do you have any ideas you can pass onto me. Talking to friends has no helped. Neither has talking to strangers. I will take any ideas anyone else has, too.

Critter- Thank you! We do have a budget that is set at the begining of the year and do stick to it better than my household budget!
She has been pushed by the Pres so much to find something wrong that it's finally taken it's toll! You and know who will be the first to complain about an appointed board member!- the former President and her sidekick the former Tres! I'm ready for that! (I think)