I think a lot of boards have this very same problem, it's not uncommon.

We have 6 members on our board, one was ALWAYS late for everything, another had "other" responsibilities so often missed board AND general meetings and another would always ask "why do we have to have another meeting".

So I felt them out, discovered what their strengths were and focused on that. The one that was always late for everything, she was a very thrifty shopper and didn't mind driving across the county to find the best deal for us so that's what I deligated her to do. The one's that didn't attend the meetings because they had other responsibilities, they were good at phone calls and reserving things for us.

I basically chaired a lot of the events, and I held a meeting for each one where I invited any parent of the school who would like to be involved. By the end of the year, everyone on the board was involved because they realized what they were missing by not attending "all" the meetings.

BUT, just before the winter break, I had to remind them that they were VOTED into those positions and they also had a responsibility to those who voted them into these positions. They then did everything they could to become more active, but one still put her other responsibilities ahead of the school????

You work with what you can and get other parents involved if you don't have the help you need on your board.

remember, IT'S FOR THE KIDS, so do what you can to make it work.

Since it seems members come and go and don't always know exactly what they are supposed to do, we cover these things at meetings. Say planning the Chili Feed: Pres was responsible for getting the supplies, Sec. did fliers, Tres. got the startup funds, etc. We go line by line through our events for the next 2 months and make sure all responsibilities are covered at each meeting. I don't feel like this is doing too much, but if I had to tell the Treas. to bring a financial report or the Sec. to take notes at every meeting, I would be upset. Granted our last Pres got upset because we would get upset when she wouldn't do what she said she would and would get mad at everyone else for doing what they were supposed to so who knows.

C. Brooks - i think you hit the nail on the head. [img]redface.gif[/img] they can't read my mind.

now that i think about it, i have worried about being everyones friend and not wanting to deligate because *what if they dont like me?*.

Its funny how a strangers few words can change my whole way of thinking. Thank you! We have our next board meeting on the 9th. That gives me a few days to figure out what to say.

It's common. Yes there are people out there not as passionate about PTO as us. :eek: It took me a while to realize that. Have a meeting with a clear agenda and tell them this is what you expect and get their response too. If you have a parent as eager as you, have her to help too. She may not be able to contribute to an executive vote but she can be helpful in other ways. Maybe she can even help them with their duties if they are too busy or unable to do what you want them too. Don't expect them to read your mind (I've been a little guilty of that from time to time). Don't forget those deep breaths.

So, in a nutshell: The board members are not pulling their weight. We are a new PTO that has just finished our first year. We have lots to get done over the summer. I guess I just feel that to be a board member you should give more of yourself. I worry about the PTO all the time and I have one member that does so also. (I wish she was on the board!) So, I guess I'm asking if this is common. I have to spell everything out for the board members to do their jobs and its wearing me down. I want to be a good Pres and I want the PTO to be successful but I just can't do it myself. How do I get the other board members to care as much as I do? Should I just lay down the law at the next meeting?