Dear NewtoThis:
First of all, please hang in there!!! We need people like you!
The nominating committee (at our school anyway) is chosen in Spring of the year before, with the election, I think, in May. Unfortunately, we have almost NEVER had two people interested in serving as the PTO President at the same time, so our "votes" consist of approving the people who were generous enough to consider serving our school next year. If approved, and I think they always have been approved, they have some time to get more aquainted with the organization and network before actually starting their year in office. A lot of things are scheduled the year before (at the end of the school year) and decided on early, so the new team has a clear goal ahead of them.
I am not in your situation, of course, but please be patient with this problem, be positive (kill 'em with kindness) and you will start to see things change for the better. Remember, no matter how the person is behaving, they probably started out with good intentions, and have just lost site of the goal. Maybe they just need some reminding, but in a fair and kind way. Good Luck.
Thanks for the responses. Where do you get copies of your bylaws?
This school is small - only 188 kids, the community is small and education, unfortunately, is not a high priority on most of their lists.
I am hesitant to take a stand until I get my feet wet in the school a little more (my child in in Kindergarten). I am not sure I would have anyone to back me up.
We did not have a nominating committee. How is this made up with new school years starting?
Also, a secretary is nominated new every year and I have heard the secretary is nothing more than a warm body at the meetings. That the principal keeps the notes, writes the letters to go home to the parents, and has more say in the meetings then the president or anyone else.
We had our first meeting tonight. Everyone tip-toed around the principal and her thoughts. She routinely shot ideals down.
It is no wonder this school has had trouble with getting volunteers in the past.
A little late but, the ballot tellers should be designated before the vote is taken and sometimes who they are or how many counters is designated in bylaws. Always more than 1 person. (We designate three that are accepted by the membership when designated.)We also make a motion to ok the destruction of the ballots. This is also broached in Robert's Rules of order for further clarification.
Voting by mail is covered on page 410 of the New 10th edition. (Which I guess would be how your vote would be considered.)
Anyway, is there anyone else who saw the ballots? Sounds like a terrible situation. Let us know how it goes and yes, talk to the Superintendent.
You need to speak with the Superintendent of your schools. Something fishy is going on.Tthe principal should have let the ballots be seenwhen asked. Don't let it go things will just get worse. Do it for the kids. Good Luck!
Firtt of all, did you have a nominating committee? If yes then I would have them count it. At our regular meeting we always have our secretary do the counting....she is the one that would type the notes for each meeting that we vote on.
What do your bylaws say about ballot tabulation? Do they mention contesting an election? I would definately look into those bylaws to see if the election was held correctly. The principal probably should not be handling ballots. She is not in charge of the PTO probably.
