I am a big believer and user of e-mail. I e-mail information, agendas, minutes, volunteer requests, etc to all of the unit Presidents and their boards and I am told how wonderful it is that they stay informed.
I collected their e-mail addresses at the beginning of the year and my own local school did the same when the parents got their membership.

Okay another question. How do you politely tell someone you are here to worry about what our members want and who is running th PTO. Restarting our PTO the principal had his secretary run and of course she was the only nominee for president. She does have a child in the school.
The Problem: A suggestion was made about doing an annual. Answer The principal isn't interested this year maybe in a couple of years.
We just had our first meeting with our members a week ago. Parents want more communication with us. We are trying to plan a couple of things where we need volunteers and ideas. the suggestion is made to do a newsletter reititerating what happened at the meeting and the need for volunteers and ideas. Answer: I have spoken to the principal before and he wants us to wait for next year.

How else do you communicate with your parents? Please What can I say to get this thinking changed?

Gallen,
Our bylaws put it simply, to be an officer one must have a child in our school. If a teacher qualifies, then they're welcome to any office they want to tackle.

We allow teachers on our board(we have two this year)and have not had any problems. Our principal also sits on the board but more in the capacity of an advisor. She helps us wade through school district policy and answers questions on teacher needs, etc. We are very fortunate to have a great relationship with our principal-she deeply appreciates all we do for the school and we respect the fact that this is her building and try not to "take over". Maybe instead of writing by-laws that restrict teachers from being on the board you should write a segment on the role(and limits of control) of the principal?

pals--I hear ya! We have ONE teacher--ONE, in our school who actually isn't burned out and jaded. After twenty years she's still excited about teaching and new ideas, and gets this across to her students. Other than that.... LOL!

Our group has gone outside the school system, except that we're not a PTO, and our school has a PTA (long story. We're primarily fundraising, and have added "starting new-fangled ideas in our school" to our activities). It does have it's advantages, but if you do prepare yourself! It's not cheap, and you have to be very careful to make sure everyone knows you aren't out for yourselves. "Communication is important" seems trite, but it's so true! I'm astounded by how many people THINK they're communicating, but aren't, or just don't know how to. Maybe get a mediator to sit down with everyone (check with legal aid), or try to call a meeting OUTSIDE the school, maybe the town library or a room in the town hall, and have all your ducks in a row. Prepare information sheets, and get it across that you aren't against the teachers or principal, but just want to do what's best for the KIDS. Make sure you explain what "conflicts of interest are" in this case. You'd be amazed at how many people just don't see or understand it. I'd be eager to nip this in the bud; situations like this tend to get worse.

Good Luck!

It's funny that I always complain that we have NO teacher representation at all. We haven't had a teacher at a meeting this year since September!! After reading all these posts and other topics of the same issue I am beginning to think we might be the "lucky" ones. Although the huge line between staff and parents drives me NUTS!!!Just wondering if it is all about the kids why can't we all just work together????