Just wanted to say thank you to the wonderful advice. At our last meeting I did accept the Presidency and another Mom stepped forward to fill the Treasurer's spot that I vacated. We still need a VP but I have hopes that will be filled in a few months. The new board/committee memebers agreed to monthly meetings. I know we have a long way to go but feel we are headed in the right direction. I have a great group of Mom's who want to make a diffence, and keep doing the good work our organization does for our school. My next mission is to get some basic and simple by laws formed. I know I saw some links to web pages to review, so I will go in search of. Any advice on this would be great. Thanks again for all of your help!!
That's true--people get comfortable especially if things are going well. I've imposed a 2 year limit on myself as president and we'll see if I can follow through. I love this stuff but I don't want it to become "d's" PTO. And other folks have tons of good ideas that need to come forward. Change is good!
I would like to clarify something. Our past Pres tried to get out of serving but no one would step forward and it kept getting dumped on her. She said she was burned out and we needed new blood. She did a lot for our organization, and said she would stay involved in some of her fundraising baby's that she handled so well and we are gratefull. But I also think, as I have read that parents/teachers get some kind of block to the idea of someone new, and it ends up being who ever has done it, let them keep doing it, why change.
Thanks, it helps to have someone else give a different view on things. I have been trying to think of ways to get this to work. We are having a meeting on Wed, I will propose the idea of me taking on Presidency unless someone else wants it, and then see if someone will fill the Treasurer's spot. Hopefully that will help, I really don't want the 2 spots, just running out of options, and need ideas!!! Thanks again, I like this one.
My oh My....2 positions. Well I would say that even if it isn't prescribed in your bylaws that you cannot, that you would be ill advised to do it. If you are willing to take on President, then do it. I suspect Treasurer will be an easier position to fill especially with the new moms coming into the school. It is healthier to advertise that your PTO needs a treasurer than it is to say no one wants to be President. Even if you don't fill the slot, you can work with the school reference the money issues (although that does bring its own issues). Anyway--my advice, fill the key leadership position, it'll make your organization look more secure to others who might then step forward for a "lesser" spot.
We have a similar situation, I have been reading these posts trying to find an answer, and so far it has come close but not close enough. I am currently holding position of Treasurer, and we do have a Secretary. We have been with out an official President for 2 years. At our April meeting no one stepped forward so it was moved to freeze the PTO for 1 year, at which time if anyone would step up we would resume full operation. At the end of the meeting I had 3 Moms step forward and say they really did not want to see PTO go this route but were afraid of any official position. They would chair committees ect but not Pres. or VP. We held an informal meeting to see what parents and teachers were feeling & I got very positive feedback. Still no Pres or VP. The last Pres was on the board in some capacity for the last 20 years the last 2 years has been as Pres/VP, and it is time for some change. Is it possible for me to hold 2 positions at one time (I can not believe I am asking this)? I am willing to give up either position if someone will fill it. I am hoping that with the new Mom's & Teachers coming on board this year they will see that we need to fill positions, and someone will step forward. If not then next year we will freeze the group again. As for parent participation it has been very low, I hate to say it but I think/and am hoping that with the past Pres gone it will help bring in new faces. By laws I am sure they are out there somewhere, but no one knows where. I am almost afraid to mention it to this new group, as they are already skittish. It sounds like most groups meet monthly, can you tell me more about this, we only met in Sept or Oct and April or May. If the need were great we would meet in Jan too. I know it was really bad. Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. I would love to pretend we are starting over and try to get our group off on the right track and keep it there.
