Even when a PTO is or has been disbanded, I think that volunteers can go on. Having no PTO and having no volunteers is not synonomous (?). I am in a similar situation. Having to resign seemed like the end of the world, at least in volunteering terms. It wasn't. Within 24 hours of my resignation, teachers started coming to my defense. So did some of my fellow volunteers and one of the board members. The principal has decided to disband our group, mainly so that there is no board of high school wanna be's acting 'better than thou's'. The old PTO office will probably now become 'volunteer central', which is what it was always intended to be.

I think the best point brought up by the board member who came to my defense said it best when she said: "What is the problem? She did everything she said she would do." I organized a fundraiser and made money for the school, I got volunteers organized and united, I began the incorporation process, I got bylaws written and approved (unanimously I might add). I took a negative (the embezzlement scandal) and turned it into a positive. I found the embezzlement and took the steps necessary to retrieve the money and am making sure the person responsible is being proscecuted. Normally I wouldn't list the things I was personally responsible for getting done, but in this case it seemed only fitting. All these things were done as our PTO pres, but each one of them could have been done, nay, would have been done, regardless of whether our group exsisted or not.

Just because you've been ousted, don't think that for one minute it means you are not needed or wanted at your school. There is still an enormous amount of volunteer work to be done, that can be done, without being PTO. Trust me, I know.

I had a very simliar experience a few years ago. I was never intimadating or threatening, but they thought I was a threat in some way, so they set me up to look like I had stolen from Santa Shop. I could never prove it, the principal already didn't like me and the ones who did it were staff that she considered above reproach. In the end, PTO was disbanded at the end of the year. Now there is no parental involvement and its sad. I am now at the middle school and love it! Just remember to hold your head high and don't let them get to you! At least don't let them know they are getting to you. Keep us updated.

It’s the sad truth but this is not uncommon. One must remember to keep everything in perspective and try not to take things personally or out of context. It’s just a PTO and people egos will always get in the way. My suggestion is to take a deep breath and a step back and look at how you can work with the group in some kind of positive way. If not, maybe you should resign from the board and just concentrate on your child’s education. And when they ask you to help with the PTO, just tell them that you are “too busy for that kind of nonsense”. Good luck

Phil PTO President

I have requested a copy of the minutes for the "secret" meeting and a copy of the by laws. the school principal has done everything she can to try to stop me from getting a hold of these. I was told tonight that a friend of mine was able to get a copy and she is dropping it off to me tomorrow. I am just so fustrated! Theyhave all made it close to impossible to even volunteer in my own childrens classes! Infact my board replacement is now volunteering in my sons class! I could just scream!! It is not suppose to be this complicated is it? UGH!!

This wouldn't work for you but when I was blindsided at the school when I ran for PTA President (one of the girls who asked me, "When are we voting because Tracy told me to hurry over to the meeting to make sure and vote against that person-me) I joined the PTA council board as President, now in my second year. Ironically, the people who they handpicked, did not turn out to be the pushovers they had hoped they would be and the "old guard" faded off into the sunset.
I don't know what your bylaws state but is there a process in them for removing a board member?

I have been actively involved with my childrens school for the past 4 years (as long as they have been there) I was voted in as a board member this past year and everything was fine until we found out that our VP was resigning and we needed to fill position. This was at the end of the school year last year after elections. So.... a NEW parent showed interest and some of us board members encouraged her to run ( as we are suppose to be inviting new members)However when the Gemeral meeting came she was not voted in, another parent who is always volunteering at the school and is part of "the group" was voted in. I later found out that this was arranged by the other board members to nominate and vote her in! I of course was angry because I had worked really hard to make the "new" parent feel welcome. I had words with the president and told her how unacceptable I thought it was. I was then informed in an e mail that the school principal wanted this "other person" (the one voted in) to be on the board. Needless to say I was a little angy but I never threatened or yelled at anyone. I told the president that I didn't know if I could be a part of the board that didn't include everyone. She asked me to reconsider and so I asked for a exec. board meeting. Should have been simple right? WRONG! 2 months later and still no meeting and no response from any board member! I now get a letter stating that they no longer need my services because I was rude and intimidating to them. UGH! Since then I have found out that they have been meeting secretly and discussing how to get rid of me! Has this happened to anyone else? What do I do? I just wanted to bring in more people instead of having the same people do everything at the school. Most of our parents are turned off by the "clique" of pto ladies. HELP!!