here I am with my 2 cents again-
I am sure you are a great president- but there is a reason for term limits.
It forces new blood into the system. it is wonderful you are so organized, and have everything running so smoothly- but what would happen if some emergency forced you to not participate for a while. You need to make sure the organization can run without you.
Right now it sounds like everybody likes the way things are running and they don't think they NEED to step up to take over because you will always be there. Encourage others to participate and join the board.
That does not mean you can't stay involved- stay on as an advisor- or in another position.
Our school had a similar situation with a board member that was around for YEARS. She thought things always had to stay the same- and few people challenged her on those thoughts. It was only when she had to step down for personal reasons- did we discover a wealth of new ideas. People said they did not want to bring their thoughts to the meeting because XXXXXX Had said "theyhad tried it before and it had failed, or it would overextend etc. and our group was running great with out the changes. Everything was great!!"(or so she thought- we were not growing!! the board was shrinking and we had few new plans or ideas each year). Later (after she stepped down- we discovered many more people were interested in joiniing the board. Before they did not want to join because they were intimidated by XXXXXXX. :eek:


So be carefulabout making plans for ever. Remember you should always have a yearlyelection (your group is not a dictatorship)so every year let your nominating committee look for that "new blood" - then if there is absolutely no one else to do the job- .......
again be careful!
:eek: :eek: :eek:

Well bylaws are suppost to be followed but you can always vote to be changed.
I am a new president this year. So far I love it but I have a child in 6th and one in 1st. I want to be able to do couple of years do something else and then maybe if needed I will come back to do another term of president.
I think what you are asking or saying is what happens if no one else steps up. I don't think you are trying to step in front of someone else you are just curious to know if you can do it. Girl with God's will we can do anything. It is just don't get to burnt out. That is with anyone in any office of Pto/Pta try to get new people involed they may have the next best idea. Maybe not an officer but a GREAT CHAIR.

I agree with some of the above comments. While it is great to be is such a strong position to do the job for the next 10 years, at some point it makes some sense to allow new ideas and new people to take the responsibility. Often, this will allow you to take a different perspective and may make you a better leader if/when you take the position again after a "breather".

There are many ways of contributing other than holding a specific position on the PTO board.

Michael I don't doubt that you are doing a great job, I would just be careful how this is perceived in future years by new parents and volunteers it could get to be a "click" trust me I hate that word but I know people are starting to feel that way about our group and that is why we are changing lots of stuff and started a new volunteer program. Our group just finished our fourth school year and I am the only leader that it has ever had. Our PTA was dissolved because there was only 4 or 5 parents involved, we now have a school wide list of 112 and a pto list of over 55. I agree that motivation and dedication goes along ways, people think I am nuts and that is why we have grown but I know there are people out there who can also do what I have done, sooner or later your group will need a revamp. When a group stops learning it stops growing!Good luck with whatever you decide!

Well...the thing I guess is, I AM a great motivator and delegator. I make them want to for all the right reasons. Got a parent to donate a 15,000.00 cjheck just because she was so happy with the school and she could not volunteer. Our meetings are short, consise and to the point. Our Principal and Director are 100% behind us in everything because I am the one that usually deals with them. I "volunteer" more hours than anyone in the school, and I have a great beat on the teachers and their needs as my wife is a teacher @ the school. The pieces of the puzzle fit quite nice and if, I mean if, I were to be continually elected I would be more than happy to do the job.

what do your bylaws say? I guess I am stunned that someone would want to be president for that long. I have been president for three years and will be stepping down in Febraury 2006..so it will be 4 years and I am anxious to volunteer, maybe chair an event, stuff like that. Wow that sound relaxing....You will know when you get that point... I am working with my successors for them to learn the ropes. I will be there for them if they need me...