Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions. I am going to get in contact with the current board and see what can be done before the final meeting of the year. We will see what happens.
I agree it's time to get on the phone & personally recruit someone for the position(s). We had to personally recruit to get some of our positions filled. Next year we are going to look at having a nominating committee & talk to people throughout the year, trying to get them excited about PTO board so when it comes time, maybe we'll actually need to have an election instead of positions filled by acclimation.
I know this subject came up on the forums a couple years ago (seems to be a recurring subject at this time of year! LOL).
If you have bylaws, there is probably a dissolution clause.... I hated to do it, but sometimes, if you have exhausted all your resources as it seems you did - with the dissolution clause from the bylaws and statied all the wonderful things that we have done over the years,from fun events for all to grants to providing teachers things for the classroom. I listed everything -yadda, yadda, yadda. I said if we do not get anyone to step up, we will be forced to dissolve. I even went so far as to put a picture of an I.V on a pole with graphics showing that we needed an infusion and fast! While I hated to threaten... sometimes it must be done. I know Tim disagreed to the threatening aspect - but sometimes it is the only way and the last resort.
P.S. We are still around today.
you might have to go this route and fast.
Our current Board members have been personally calling and asking friends, family and volunteers since December for people to "run" for Board positions. Our principal has not had anything to "report" at the last three meetings so appears not to be concerned. Unfortunately it looks like we'll be without a PTO Board next year and the administration has not shown a lot of concern about this. Perhaps this is the message we need to send to our community at this time. Its unfortunate but the current board members have other committments in their lifes at this time. Since no one is willing to assist maybe its time for a break. We'll see what happens at our next meeting in 3 weeks.
Have you been seeking nominations only by putting notices in your newsletter? My experience has been that it is really rare for someone to respond to that. You probably have a pretty good idea of who your most active volunteers are--not necessarily only parent group volunteers, but room parents, etc. Assign people to call those who have been active and make a personal plea on the phone--not via email or a flyer.
While I hated to threaten... sometimes it must be done. I know Tim disagreed to the threatening aspect - but sometimes it is the only way and the last resort.