Just an update. Our politically incorrect officer voluntarily resigned her position as she is moving out of the school district. She resigned before we as a Board had to make any decision one way or another; however, one mom (who wasn't aware yet of the resignation) told me today that she had an appointment with our principal to discuss her feeling that this individual should not be on our board. She even said that she was considering boycotting our PTO if we would not have forced the resignation, had it come to that. It was very discouraging to hear that someone would consider abandoning our organization and all the good that we do for our school because of something this one Board member did that was beyond our control. I don't agree with what this Board member did either, but I really can't see tossing aside all the good work that the PTO has done because of it. Anyway, the point I want to make is that it is obvious to me now that there were people who were seriously going to come after our PTO because of this, and we were just lucky that she resigned voluntarily before we got a bunch of bad press that we really didn't deserve!!!!
I agree with Kaylee completly. Do you live in a small town? Sometimes you can get away with that kind of thing in a large area.
I am in a small, yet growing town and that sign would put a huge stigma on things.
Have you approached this mom and discussed it with her? I see no reason not to. And if you do it carefully you could express your concerns to her. Maybe discussing it would shed some light.
What this woman does on her personal time by no means reflects what your organization does. You just have to be diligent in making sure she appears to be impartial at ALL PTO functions and does not share her personal opinions or views with the membership. Good Luck!
My 2 cents... don't address this issue until it is an issue within the PTO. Anytime you have a group of people, there will be very different view points. Her personal opinions do not impact the PTO as a whole. I as a board member though would keep my eyes and ears open to make sure this woman (regardless of how hard working she may be) does not cross the line and inject this attitude into any of her work. The reason I go so far as to say that, is if this woman is willing to place a LAWN SIGN with her view points knowing how offending it may be to some, she obviously is very strong minded in her beliefs. Just stay on your toes.
Good Luck ~ Kay
[This message has been edited by Kaylee (edited 09-08-2000).]
Sounds like she's a really good member of your PTO. If she started trying to inject the personal opinion into your PTO that's one thing but it sounds like she does her PTO work really well. She's entitled to her opinion. I don't see any reason that your PTO has to deal with it unless she were using your PTO for her personal opinions.
Refocus yourself... Let her be and the chips will fall where they may. I don't see how her personal opinion will reflect poorly on your PTO. If it does then don't the people with the problem have the same problem as the person posting the sign? The chip will fall..... stand clear...
