The others are right. I may have misunderstood that the officers were told the previous year that there were others willing to hold office and still chose not have elections.

They honestly may not think anyone is willing to step forward. And truly, are people willing to do just that?

I think anyone in PTO leadership turns into a bit of cynic about the number of empty promises of help. People tend to get all hyped of over an issue and make out they are going to become very invovled. Unfortunately, many of these promises disappear as soon as the current crisis passes.

So, yes, recruiting solid, responsible people who are willing to truly get involved is the key. It would be surprising if you had people wanting to run for office, elections around the corner, officers who had run their tenure, and then those officers still resisted the change.

But please do make an effort to continue to recognize and value all the hard work the current officers have done to this point. Don't let that get lost in the shuffle.

I have been PTO President for four years now. Our by-laws state that there is a two year term limit unless voted on by the majority. That being said if there were anyone else who wanted the position two years ago I would never have ran again. We held elections, even sending notices out to all "board member eligible" people. No one wanted the position.

I think your best course of action would be to let the current President know that you or someone else is interested in the President position for next year. If the person resists then delicatly point out the wording in your by-laws.

I do have issues with "concerned" parents at our school who have all these issues with how things are being run, but do not want to step up and take a position. My response stands firm with people who complain, "Please come to the meetings and help us facilitate a change". At this point I don't think dragging the principal in is the appropriate course of action. Talk to the President and let her respond to your concerns. It seems that many PTO's want to be a "seperate entity" from the school...but when the notion hits they run to the Principal first. The Principal should be a last resort in settling a parent groups problems.

I was worried you were talking about our group!! But our President hasn't been in command that long.

I'm not trying to defend as I totally agree with JHB but try a shead a different light... I have been an officer for four years. Three terms as Secretary, one as President (took a break to be with my new baby last year). Reason being no one would do it and no one was interested. Could this be what they are thinking? Also, when a team works, you know...we just work great together, it's hard to break that up.

Like I said, JHB has the right idea but I would take baby steps, start with voting of general issues then slowly address as you go. You walk in with a gavel and point out every fumble...no. Baby steps...

Try to keep in mind that the current officers are probably not acting with ill intent. They may be misguided, but they probably think they are doing what's best for the PTO. It's really easy in a situation like this to have things suddenly be portrayed as black and white: everything from before was "bad" and now the new crew will make it "good". You want to fix this particular situation, but continue to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of the previous years.

So how do you fix it? I'd approach it on several fronts. Concerned parents should approach the principal. Get him/her involved in understanding that the group needs to following its own rules.

Can you get one of those parents who are upset (and willing to help) to step in with an offer to be Parlimentarian? That officers' job is remind the group over and over to abide by its own rules.

Most importantly, you are approaching the time of year to consider officer elections. Why not just assume your group will be following your bylaws and bring it up at a meeting. Not as a confrontation, but something like "okay, it's time to be forming the nominating committee, and here's where we stand on positions that have run their tenure." Maybe you can have some parents in the wings who are willing to serve onthe nominating committee. Just proceed with it as if it's business as usual.

If they make noises about continuing as is, then my reponse would be: "oh, so you mean we are going to form a committee to edit our bylaws accordingly and then take that to the general membership for a vote??" (Not that I'd let that happen easily.)

Just firmly try to re-introduce it as part of the natural cycle.

I really don't have any advice about them violating bi-laws except keep on digging and doing what you are doing........there is a reason we have bi-laws. I'm sure other ppl on here will give you great advice I just wanted to say keep up on what you're doing

I would appreciate any advise on this subject. I have been involved with PTO for the past 3 years. I was on the board the last 2 years. Unfortunately, our PTO has been run by the same 2 people for now over 3 years. According to our by-laws, a board member is allowed one office for no more than 2 years. The person presiding as President has been such for now going on 4 years. I was vice-president last year, with the understanding from the principal that I would con't the next two years as president. I agreed, but was told last year at school meetings, along with other officers, that we were in need of all officers. There was no vote of the school, as stated in the bylaws and the same teacher and aide(acting as President) decided on their own to stay on in their offices. There are many violations of the bylaws, including voting of where PTO funds will go, not electing officers, meetings, etc. Many of the parents at the school are very upset and confused as to what is going on, and can this take place "legally"? I would appreciate any help that can be given on this. I have tried not to be "sour grapes", but I know that PTO is not being run in a respectful way for our school, and feel that things need to change. Thanks