Sorry making up for not posting on a regular basis anymore
Also remembr most PTA/PTO arent trained board members (be they women, men, moms, dads, principals, pet fleas) - its voulnteers who usually have never run, steered or been in charge of a nonprofit or maybe even a business before (There's no college degree, PTA or online course to learn to run a PTwhatever, nonprofit, educating enhancement or whatever you organization does)
Most get some guide -ance from previous members (iof lucky), maybe PTA local or district (snicker), online (like this site or notprofitwhatever.org), its a big trail and error process (or can be). MOst go with whats proven to work. (ie I know fundraiser #1 has brought in $50,000 every yr for 5 yrs- why switch??)
I've been doing this 15 yrs and after being in the Army, running my own businesses, being semi -well educated, and highly opinionated (ask anyone, they know) - its hard to not want to knock everyone out of the way, and say, "OK people this is what we need to do to raise 1 million $$$$, you, you and you, do this, this and this." UNfortunatley only in Shawnfusious' dreams does it REALLY work that way. (and all the pretty girls are watching me grill and wearing cabana girl pool outfits)
Its been a big adjustment- but the 'cookie- cutters' idea makers, porpcorn sales person, stay-at- home parent volunteer, working parent volunteer (be it member, board member or just helping a child with homework) they/ it/ them/ IS (whatever the proper English) is - is JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE REST and USUALY just as dedicated. (be careful what you knock (on)- it might open, fall or drop out from below or above)
I've had my days (probably too many) of posting things here before I think- everyone 'even us smalltowned hicks from the sticks whom saw the world and chased invisible (some not so invisible) communist threats, ate sand in a foreign desert then moved to the big city by the ocean on the left coast' have bad days.
Listen, Learn, Reciprocate (more wisdom of Shawnfuscious)