Yes indeed - so many difficulties! Our PTA had been operating without by-laws for 4 or more years. And had been run by the same two people for about 3 years. Taking over this summer I was overwhelmed by the need for structure and procedures, knowing I could not govern as had the past presidents. I formed an executive committee and am endeavoring to get by-laws and procedures in place. I am hoping to form a collabarative group, rather than simply having two people making up the rules as they go.
I inherited a teacher as co-president. As co-president it has become apparent that most people seek me out, rather than the teacher for any number of reasons: she's their child's teacher and don't want conflict; she's a teacher and very busy; she is not as available after school because she commutes to our town; she has been at the school for 14 years and is not as receptive to change and new ideas.
I found Jewel3's comments helpful. But still am looking for specific information regarding a teacher being the president of, what I understand, is a parent organization. It is my view that teachers have so many venues to express their needs and interests, and we parents only have the PTA. It is my understansing that the PTA and PTO were conceived as "parent run organizations." I am all for working with teachers on the committee, but don't think they should be president. Thoughts and history?
Well, without by-laws there isn't going to be much you can do if she won't voluntarily resign. Even with by-laws, removing someone from a board is cumbersome. Per Robert's Rules of Order, the motion must be preceeded by an investigation by committee, a report to the board from that committee, resulting debate among board members with the co-president present, then a vote. The whole process is designed to ensure that the "defendant's" rights aren't trampled on and/or that he/she isn't steamrolled by a small group of members.
So, in the absence of workable by-laws, just remember that most bully's back down when they hit against consistent opposition.
Precisely our problem - we have no current by-laws and are creating them as we go along. So far, during our executive committee meetings we have not formally voted on issues. Maybe we should make that a practice. Still, the problemn remains, because the teacher is a very strong personality, some of the members of the ec with children in her class are afraid to speak up with differing opinions, and thus, the aggravation factor...
What responsibilities/powers are given to the co-president in your by-laws?
Given that the teacher has, I presume, just one vote on the board, what actual harm is coming from her serving in her position -- other than the aggravation factor?
