PTOBoarder,
Remember that events that take place on school property (meetings, fairs, bake sales,...) fall under the Principal's authority. Events off school property fall to the shoulders of the President. There are procedures (in Robert's Rules) for removal of a member from a meeting or function, but remember that possibly just a talk with the Principal and President might do the trick. Though it shows a severe lack of good judgement, try your best to maintain everyones dignity.

I think that talking to the principal is a good idea. I have had ours help in situations similar to this one. If the president of your group and the principal sit down in private with this woman and lay it on the line so to speak, basically letting her know that she represents not only your PTO but also the school and if she ever comes to a function under the influence again she will immediatly be removed from office...

Two years ago, one of our veeps came to a meeting blitzed. Not only did she show up drunk, but went around the room talking AT teachers and other PTVO members. It didn't take too long for everyone to figure out that she was drunk. Where that in itself was not appropriate, that is not what we deemed the problem to be.

I met with the principal the next morning to discuss the veep. It really wasn't a 'school' problem, but the facts are that she was underage (20 years old), drove her car to and from the meeting in her condition, and worst of all (as if those issues were not enough), she had her kids in the car!

It was decided that even though it was not a 'school' issue, that the school, its staff, the PTVO and its staff looked bad and would look worse if no action was taken. We spoke to the veep. She didn't deny anything, but seemed to be trying to justify her actions. She apologized, not for doing it, but for our not sympathizing with her under the circumstances (single mom, broke all the time, ADD/ADHD kids, etc.).

The principal and myself, after speaking to her, could come to no other conclusion but to relieve her of her position. It wasn't an easy decision, and it was made privately between the principal and myself, mainly to avoid any further speculation or embarrassment.

While I would defend a person's right to have a few cocktails (who among us hasn't had, or wished they had...lol, a drink or two after a particularly tough day, meeting or event?), I think that if you hold a position in a service organization that deals with children and/or childrens issues you need to exert some self control when it comes to drinking, swearing, smoking, etc. in public, and especially when you're going to be on school grounds. If you can't, then a position in an organization of this nature probably isn't something you should be holding. I know I'm saying it badly, but you all know what I mean... I hope...

There is a time and a place for everything. This was neither. If the veep is genuinely sorry, and didn't break the law (driving to the meeting while intoxicated, etc.), then maybe this is a one time thing. If, like in our case, the veep is wondering what YOUR problem is, I say CAN 'EM!

Tim,

Ooops my bad! Yep the VP of the PTO! Hey but if anyone had a drunk Vice Principal I was right on [img]smile.gif[/img]

Remind me to stop posting after the 20th post ok, then maybe I wont make that mistake again. Ah heck, of course I will [img]smile.gif[/img]

Dave

Dave -

I think we're talking about a PTO vice president here, not a vice principal. Pretty sure this is not a school employee being referenced.

That said, I agree that discretion is needed here. You don't "know" for sure that there's a drinking poblem and it's not necessarily your place to be involved. If the person was driving on a field trip or somehow endangering others -- that'd be different.

Tim

You need to discuss this behind closed doors with the principal. Voice your concern as a concerned parent.

The VP is an employee of the school district and is supervised by the principal. It may not be a drinking problem at all, there are many things that appear to be a drinking problem to people un aware.

Beyond this there is not much you can do. It is not the business of a PTO to manage employees of the school district.

It is a matter of concern to parents, but again it is not their business to manage the process.

Do not alienate your PTO from the principal by using that organization to fight this battle, for various reasons only one I cited above. But use your concern as a parent instead!