I know it can be difficult finding someone to step up to the plate to become President. Believe me, I do understand since I was also in the same shoes. I was Co President for 4 years and decided it was time for someone else to step in. I figured that since my son had one more year left in our schools that I would be available to help in an "advisory" role.
A word of caution here though: Make sure the person who steps forward has leadership skills and abilities or your organization will ultimately go on a downward spiral. I was so ready to step down - 4 years is a LONG time to be at the helm and do it right that when I was done- I was D O N E!. The only reason most of us stay that long is no one else wants to BE "Pres"(They all know the work involved - LOL). That is why term limits are so important, if membership knows that there are term limits, hopefully, some will think about it. I also believe that a President or Co President should have served on the board before they become President of Co President and not come into it blind. (my opinion)
Anyway,the person who stepped up was the only one who wanted to do it, and I was so relieved that there was another body that I didn't realize that this person was not a "leader", has no organizational skills and was doing it all for the wrong reasons: self glorification and to hell with the way things should go. Bylaws? Don't even know if she ever looked at them or what they truly mean.
Daddio, I know it is hard, but try to find someone who has leadership abilities and will keep your organization strong.
The last year a good friend of my served as President she asked me to be her Sec. well knowing I was being groomed for President. I was President a couple years ago (still working through that,lol) but she took the time and gave me the the knowledge and omph (or rather kick inthe "pants") to show me how to handle the things that made my first time so awful. Of course her first advise was to not be pregnant and I did have to agree! Just too much.
But yeah, a strong second banana (which what I am again this year) helps a lot! The dad we have as President this year travels with his job so I am the one that makes the calls etc. (his wife is so sweet! She hasn't once gotten mad at me yet!)
You know while this can be such a personal decision, we forget who really decides...the members. It's wiether or not we accept is what is so hard!
May the force be with you Daddio.....I'm only hoping I can make the same choice in a few months!
We'll I spoke with the woman I was hoping would take over next year and she has no interest in being president next year. I am hoping I can talk her into doing it if I run for VP. We'll see.
I personally don't think there is anyone else in the PTO right now with the heart for president (in the big picture). Most are concerned with the details of a couple things and find it very time consuming and frustrating to do or worry about anything else. That works for committees or specific events, but not worrying about everyone's committees and all events.
Thanks for your feedback everyone - still not sure what to do though.
I've been in an officers position for the last 7 years. Just when you think you've had enough someone says thank you. It is nice to hear those words even when you tell yourself you shouldn't expect it. Gives you gas for next term.
As an officer it is our responsibility to make sure that all is well however it is our job to motivate the board to let others do the planning and not to micro manage. Our job is to manage and give the responsibilities to others...we may learn something.
You know Daddio, I wish all presidents were like you. I'm trying so hard to communicate to our president of 6 years that it's time to move on. I try to tell her that I am interested in the position and didn't know if anyone else was. I thought I'd get some encouraging words. Especially since she has mentioned to me in the past that she would like to see me in the position. But I'm not getting a good response at all. Just nothing. No encouragement, no reaction, nothing. She makes people feel like she is going to go and be really sad. She has always played the martyr throughout the years and is making it difficult for anyone to even want the position.
So Kudos to you for realizing that it would be nice to have someone else in there. Not because you're burnt out but because it's time for a change. Good luck to you.
Don't get me wrong, I love doing this. I feel like I've made a big contribution and that I would better serve the team to have someone else take over and run with it. I have no plans on leaving - I want to be involved. But, just not for everything we do.
I'm not going anywhere soon - my oldest is in 3rd, and my youngest in preschool so he'll be starting soon too.
