If they are refusing to hold meetings, I would go to the principal. A PTO is not a mystical unicorn with unfettered decision making power about excluding parents.
A PTO should have by-laws and should hold general membership meetings.
If I were you, I would go to the school administration and if they won't help, go to the superintendent and let them know what is going on. I guarantee someone along the line will listen.
Alternatively, you could find out somehow when the beautiful people are meeting and just show up - with a few friends at that.
I know of a lot of parents who want to be involved....that is not the problem. The problem is that they have no bylaws no elections no meetings...nothing. There are a select few that want to do it all themselves. I continue to tell them there are parents who want to be involved and they say since they are a pto they do not have to hold meeting or have elections. I am not sure what to do. I am really ruffling the feather of the ones running it letting them know the interest is out there. It truly makes me not want to support my kids PTO fundraisers.
We have a fairly new PTO only in our 4th year. There have been times that no one showed up to the frustration of those that did. I have done a volunteer sheet and that has worked well, till you call and ask for help. It once again is the same few people doing it all. We have a Middle School with over 600 sutdents, my question is where are all the parents? Several of us want to do extra things for the school, so we need money and we are struggling to raise a penny. We had a can drive and only 2 students brought in cans, however for the past 2 years the PTO donated $2,000.00 for the 8th graders class trip. I am open for all suggestions. Thank You, in Upstate NY.
Mad Mom-
Do they have a website or newsletter where they list volunteer opportunities? Do they have an elected board? I am guessing that the board is meeting but just not having a general public meeting? I would suggest getting in contact with whomever is running things and asking her/him how you can get involved. Before you call or email think of ways that you could help (i.e. do you want to help run an event or do you want to bake for teacher appreciation event) so you can be concrete in how you'd like to get involved. You'll be glad that you are persistent in getting involved. Let us know how it turns out!
What meetings are outlined in the by-laws? If they don't have by-laws are they a fully "organized" 501c3 organization or a "fly by night" type of organization in the running/set up?
