Does anyone have a Flyer for Officier Elections, if so please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

I need to prepare for 2008 elections....

Hmmmm, this is a tough spot to be in. Freezing out viable candidates can appear cliqueish but allowing negativity to take over would be several steps backward.

I'd use this opportunity to ammend the bylaws to include Removal of Officer rules. Most bylaws have an outlined amemendment process. While you're at it, consider adding an election ammendment stating that unopposed candidates are subject to a yes/no vote. That way a negative person isn't a shoe-in and the position remains open until another candidate can be presented.

I can tell you two things from experience:

1. Nobody but the president seems to see the big picture and appreciate the high level of babysitting that goes on. Once someone new is in charge, the pettiness embarrasses them and they seem to be resolved to fixing it.

2. Parent Group leaders absolutely set the tone and have a huge impact on volunteer involvement. One negative parent one year can set things back for the next two or three school years - which is unfortunate for everyone involved - especially the kids.

If you and your fellow officers are committed to retaining your positions and continuing with your efforts to bridge gaps between the economic groups then it sounds like you have everyone's best interests at heart. I'd advise that you give it one more year with the intention of hand selecting and grooming some parents that you believe will continue in the same positive light. Until someone shows them the way, they don't always know any better.

I absolutely don't think it would be selfish to stay on in order to help maintain the integrity of your team - but I'd do so with the goal of establishing a succession plan for the 08/09 school year.

[ 12-10-2006, 06:31 PM: Message edited by: CrewChief ]

That is part of the problem our bylaws do not have anything in line to remove officers acting badly, it just says that the officers are accountable at all times to the organization. It also has a term limit but it has been amended before when the district requested that during administration changes that it be amended.

I am not sure whether looking like a cliche is any worse than the pettiness coming out in the open. I can't believe I just said that as I am a strong believer that everyone be treated the same. We have worked very hard to gain parent involvement and having the negativity come out will make it fall apart, there is that much nit picking going on. Is it?

As far as potential board members we never seem to get anyone who wants to run, our vp last year was begged to do so, as the year before. We seem to have the best hard working volunteers but they want no responsibility. I would love to wash my hands free of it but know what will happen, how do I know this because people have been telling me how much they dislike this person, or that person, and so on. I have been a true babysitter!

Depends on what the bylaws say in regards to term limits and serving subsequent terms.

Do your bylaws have provsions for removing officers for conduct detrimental to PTA/PTO

Also I weigh the pros and cons of the coup (ie board staying on) what kind of message does that send to other members, does it look like a clique or unenclusive club?? to potential board members

Question for you PTO pros out there. I am a regular poster but this is without my name to protect the innocent!
Our elections are coming up in March and a volunteer has stated that she wants to run for a office. Our bylaws are set up that anyone can run who is "active" and you may nominate yourself. Last year we had no one run for the postion she wants, heck the past three years no one has ran for it...we have begged someone.
The problem is that the volunteer can be negative and we are worry how this will effect the image of our group. The person has been known to actually get in fist fights outside of school and that is another factor. I realize that it is set up that the person can get the position. My problem lies in that i have been leader for a long time and was ready to step down this year, however all of the younger volunteers are bickering amongst each other, alot of it related to economic classes. It has been a ugly site from my point of view, most people dont see it but as leader I see and hear it! This fall has been a huge babysitting year...ugh!
The question is that if our bylaws allow the old officers to stay on, they get elected and they are willing is it selfish to do so? We do not follow roberts rules. We would all be staying on just to prevent the negativity from taking over.