I know how you're feeling completely. Right now I am the president elect. Our president recently had a baby and is not wanting to do keep on as president. This is my first year on the PTO board. I learned real quick that the president and two others only want to do what they chose to do. Recently I signed up for the Secret Santa Workshop, I was told that we needed to shop for it ourselves, I asked the other person on the committee when was a good time for her to do it. Next thing I know her and the president are doing everything. Another example of poor communication we have is that our principal told our PTO the last two meeting that we can not use the school's tax number anymore. She gave the president and I all the paperwork and information on obtaining the EIN, AOI, and the 501 (c)(3). While doing the EIN I tried numerous times by phone and email our president to ask her a question (who's SS# do we use), it's been 10 days since I've called. I gave up and used mine. Now I'm working on the AOI and could use some information but once again I can't get a hold of her. From what I'm told, I'm not the only person with this problem. Other parents have quit coming to meetings the last 3 years because they are given the cold shoulder.
Tonya-
Ugh- so sorry to hear about your situation. Can tell you want what's best for your school and your daughter but Foxmom and mtchard are right- you need to drop something. Your sanity is the most important thing her to you and your family.
Have you had a heart to heart with your VP to find out why she has backed off-- could be she is burnt out or has something going on with her personal life? Maybe if you had this talk and she admitted to it, she might help you find more people to step up and help.
Some helpful resources for getting more volunteers:
I agree. It's so hard to let a program go that has been there in the past. If you can't get any more help, then you need to drop something. If people ask why just explain that there were no volunteers to work the program. What about the rest of the members? I would send out a message or call to all of your group telling them what will be dropped if there is not someone willing to take it on.
I've lived this-- and know exactly how you feel-- take a step back -- you can't do it all---if something has to give since you can not do it alone-- so be it--- If you over do it now and get burned out-- then all those great things you did last year will be for not--
I am a very passionate parent. Everything I do is for my daughter. She goes to a school that is mainly all one race. Over 94% is one race. She is sadly not in the 98% number. So, when she started getting picked on I got involved with her school. First time in many years the school has a PTA. I ran and won for VP last year. The President and I worked hand in hand over the year and we did not have an easy time dealing with a OVER controling Principal. This year I am President and my VP is last years President. We just kind of traded rolls. Well like I said we worked HARD last year TOGETHER.
This year I found out that she does not want to be involved with nothing but the meetings. So this is leaving me empty handed with the work part of a PTA. We have SO much work that needs to be done.
Putting together the Fall Festival that is in one week.
Snack sales we do once a week on Fridays.
Turkey Thanksgiving grams that is needing to be done this friday AND next.
I am feeling SO over worked because ALL the above i am doing ALONE. WE made the plans together but I am doing the work. I also have one parent that comes EVERYDAY and sits here watching movies while I am working because she does not know how to work a computer and has no want to learn. So she watches movies the whole day while I seek out donations and write grants and plan things and do fliers and and and..... But when I tell her we have work to do she finds a reason to go home and on days we have planned pysical work to do she does not show up to help.
So right now I am sitting one a snack sale, Turkey Thanksgiving grams and planning a fall festival by myself and ABOUT TO LOSE IT! My stess level is about to hit an all time high.
