We had our first PTO meeting of the year tonight and Im gald to say that your advice and encouragement came in handy. We had a long discussion on the goals we want to reach this year and I think everyone left feeling good about things. Thanks again
My goodness! A few years worth of old business? I can't imagine that you have the same board members year after year, but maybe you do.....I would think that with a new board, the old business would either fall by the wayside or get attended to.
Absolutely you as a member of the PTO (as are the board members, by the way) can ask the provocative question of "what is our purpose and why are we wasting everyones time turning our wheels in the mud?!" There are plenty of ideas on this bulletin board and many others....get some new ideas brewing and see if you can recruit some other families that feel the same way.
Propose that all projects have a projected "end date" and see what happens. Don't get discouraged! The important thing is that you are interested and involved with your child's education. I am sure there are other parents that feel the same way that you do. Don't though, be surprised when the ball gets handed to you and the great ideas that you propose become your project--show 'em how it should be done and get others to follow.
I am on the board of our PTO we always have an agenda for both the entire year and also each and every meeting. You most certainly have a right to know what the agenda is. Why would you want to fundraise if it is just to fatten the pot. Maybe you could take one of the board members aside (not at a meeting) and ask what would be the best way to handle this. If not, just stand up at a meeting and ask. I cannot imagine that there would be any hard feelings from the board if you asked. Keep going to the meeting even if you feel discouraged. The only way to make a change is to be involved and informed. Good Luck
Our PTO is in need of some serious CPR. It has no direction or get up and go. Frankly, I leave the meetings feeling very troubled but as a general member I don't know what to do about it.
At the meetings there seems to be an agenda that the general members don't know about and can't follow. Many of them don't bother to return after the first meeting or so.
And sadly, even though the PTO leadership wants to do good things for the school, all those good intentions go to waste. We have projects funded from three or more years ago that still have not been acomplished.
So as the new year is aproaching I would sure appreciate any ideas on how to diplomaticly get things moving! This is a small town and a SMALL PTO (last year: 16 people) with many sacred cows and toes to tread on. And we, my husband and I, are very new to this (one year members).
Is it appropriate for a general member to suggest that we focus on clearing out all that "old business" as this years agenda? Can we ask to see the agenda set for the year by the exec. board? If there isn't one is it appropriate to spend a meeting making one together?
I have always been taught that a happy organization is a busy organization. So how do we help get this one busy?
