Point well taken. I feel there is maybe some underlying issues. Better to address them so we start the school year off on a good foot and my new position with positive
feelings all around. Thanks writermom!!
Your volunteers have a valid point. Perhaps you can speak to your principal about the issue? The staff needs to be aware that an unfriendly attitude will drive off volunteers and result in less money raised, which ultimately hurts the school and the kids.
It sounds, though, that this is not an issue that has appeared suddenly. Do you know why the office staff feels this way? Do the teachers feel this way too? Perhaps they have had unpleasant experiences in the past with volunteers, in which case a new principal may not even be aware of the problem. Maybe the principal can facilitate a meeting between you and the office staff where they can air their concerns and you can outline your good intentions and goals. In any case, I think your first step would be to diplomatically approach the principal.
Hi, I am as of today, a new PTO President. We had our first day of school and all went pretty well.
The only thing that I am having some trouble with is it seems that the office staff (secretarys and our new principal) have issues with the PTO being such a "invloved" group. We do alot for the kids and that also includes the staff. But we are finding that they want our help, fundraising money to fund items but don't really want to see us too much. Case and example, today. We had a "Boo-Hoo/Yah-Hoo" Meet and Greet in the cafe for new and returning parents. Everything was approved by the new principal, and yet the attitude we received from the office staff was less than friendly. My concern was a few PTO Members actually said to me, they were sick and tired or being treated so poorly. And how can folks volunteer if the office staff is so nasty to them? Any ideas on how best to handle?