Well you are right to some degree and so is she. It's hard sometimes to just let someone do what they're supposed to and not jump in when they are making mistakes. If the mistakes aren't huge, choose your battles. However, this isn't her first go round either. She should have a handle on doing these things by now if she's a longtime chair. Now, as President, you are a member ex-officio of all committees and you do have a say. Generally the bylaws (PTA) will direct that the President will "Coordinate the work of the officers and committees of this PTA in order that the purposes may be promoted". Many bylaws will state that the chair of each committee shall present a plan of work to the executive committee for approval. No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the executive board, or something else along those lines.
Basically this means that she can't just go and do what she wants point blank. She needs the approval of the board/committee to do what she and her committee wants to do. Another important point, a chair is to preside over a committee. Not a committee of one. Is she meeting with and voting with other volunteers?
I would check your own bylaws and see what is outlined for your committees and go from there.
I can give you a clearer answer if you can provide some specifics.
Hi everyone. This is my first post and I really need some help. I have a long-time chair on my board that thinks the President (that's me) should stay out of the committee chairs business. Per her words, the chairs were elected into their positions, therefore, we need to sit back and let them do their job, good or bad. And, as you can guess, she's not doing a great job. She is dealing with a new board (most of our board is new members with children in 1st grade/2nd grade) and we do want to make some changes, but we didn't go crazy with her because we wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt since she's been around for so long and most of us are new. The thing is, there hasn't been anyone in charge for the last couple of years and we learned very quickly that she doesn't keep deadlines, she has an excuse for everything, she asks for advice and then when you give it to her she gets all defensive and now, she is trying to create waves with everyone to make my job alot harder because I've become her personal target. I have talked to her on several occasions about her job deadlines and about how they affect everyone - the children, the teachers and the PTA. I've also explained to her that we need to work together - we are a group, but she doesn't seem to get it and the board is split on how to handle this - some want to oust her, some want to keep her since she has been around so long and try to get her to understand our point of view. I want to do what's right and losing good members because of this turmoil, is not an option. Any advice???
