Hopfully this isnt too long- I <cut&pasted> from my powerpoint presentation
1. Leaders aren’t just the people at the top. Typically when we think of leadership, we don’t think of ourselves as leaders. We think of elected officials—the mayor, school board members, city council members—or the people at the “top” of the school system—superintendents and district office staff. In our education system, the word “leadership” has become has become synonymous with “administrator” or “school leader.” We need to think differently about what leadership means in schools, education systems and communities. Success of a school, district or community isn’t dependent on the ability of a single person—so why should leadership be defined that way? The people at the top can’t act alone and still be successful. They need teacher leaders and parent leaders to be able to meet high standards for student achievement. It would be impossible for someone sitting at top of district or school to make all of the decisions about how schools should change. Nor can superintendents, central office staff and principals make—and sustain—changes alone. They need teachers and parents to help determine what should change and participate in carrying out the changes. We have to start thinking about ourselves as leaders. 2. Leaders act—and help other people act. Leaders don’t wait for someone else to step in and get things done. When you step up to the plate to ask hard questions; point out low expectations; get informed and suggest ideas for doing things differently; or offer your time to help develop solutions, you are a change agent and a leader. People who step up to the plate are important models for kids and adults in the community. Others see what is possible and are more likely to step up themselves. Leaders also get other people focused on their own responsibilities for getting involved in their community and for improving their schools. 3. Leaders are learners- Leadership is a learning activity. Parent leaders seek out information about how schools operate, how things can be done differently and how they can help—and help others parents learn the same things. Parent leaders support their children’s in-school learning and seek out ways to extend learning in out-of-school time and places and they encourage other parents to do the same. Teacher leaders seek out information about best practices for teaching and learning. They continually want to learn about what other teachers are doing and what researchers are saying about how to improve instruction and student learning. When they talk about and use what they are learning, they help other teachers learn. 4. Leaders play many different roles- Despite our typical image of a “leader,” there are many different possible leadership roles, including: · Becoming an informed, active partner who works with school officials to make decisions about what happens during school day and what extra supports are available to students who need them—that’s a leadership role. · Learning about issues, making informed judgments and taking a stand on those issues—that’s a leadership role. · Holding school board members, city council members and the superintendent responsible for what they say and do—that’s a leadership role. · Contacting district and city officials with your concerns or ideas about how policies are affecting you and affecting the quality of schools—that’s a leadership role.
~TheLastinn/ShawnShuefus - New Ways of thinking about leaders 06
<font size=""1""><font color="#"black"">Liberalism is not an affilation its a curable disease. </font></font><br /><br><font color="#"gray"">~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus</font><br /><br><font color="#"blue""><font size=""1"">The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is...
Similar situation here. Only one person stepped up for office (all officers were not returning). Our group voted to postpone elections until the beginning of the school year rather than have no PTO next year (which is still a possibility if no one steps up).
Any ideas on how things (finances, etc) would be handled if no one steps up at the beginning of the year ? Can the PTO go into a "freeze", or is it disbanded (nothing in our bylaws covers this)?
You have to get on the phone & talk people into it. Sending out a form won't get you people to step up. Call and let them know that if no one takes office, the PTO will not exist next year!
Making a positive difference one project at a time <img src=images/smilies/smile.gif>
PTCA (and anyone else in a similar situation) - they will step forward once they realize you are officially going to be done. I announced from LAST SPRING that I would have to be done this spring, over and over, at every meeting, each newsletter, wanted posters around school, word of mouth, etc. etc. Not a one stepped forward until Febr. when I said I would not even be able to be at the spring meeting and was (still) going to be stepping down.
It was flattering that people always asked if I could stay but frustrating to not have someone shadow for a good period of time before they stepped into place. Now they call me the "consultant"!
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it" - Ferris Bueller
Something in general I would suggest to all PTO groups regarding finding new officers is to start EARLY in recruiting and that can mean as early as January or February for schools that end early in the year.
It seems (to me) that many posters here find that they are surprised when no one steps up. usually this happens when there is very little time at the end of the school year and the next thing you know is school is about to let out and there is no board in place. It happens and it happens alot of the time. It is difficult to find people to step up into a board position. Usually, they are scared to take on that responsibility or afraid to follow in footsteps of a good leader(s). of course there are other reasons depending on what your group's history or current standing is too, but - That is why it is i important to begin your search for your replacements early. Talk to people and encourage early on.
The ending of the year is hard enough without having the headache of no one running for board positions....
