I'd suggest making something more formal for your group. Its great that its worked so well to date, but if you really want to set up something to last for future kids, then take the steps now to do it.
Being a president in my 3rd year, I would love to see someone step up to the plate - it would be better for the group as a whole to have more that actively involved. Personally, I don't have a problem with new blood in the group and taking charge - I encourage it big time.
I'd suggest you approach the new leaders with the idea of creating an organization, with structure, simple by-laws in the mindset for the families that will be there in 5-7 years from now.
Are you thinking the parents are kind of taking over in church, and now they are taking on the school also? If so, my best advice would be to become the Vice Pres. If just person is doing it all alone that is just too much! I would just let them know you have some experience, and would love to help her learn how it all goes, suggest you be the second in command. Or at the next meeting you could move to elect a board, with her as president. That way no one person can control everything, and it's more how PTO was meant to work I think.
SoCal I also don't really see a problem with it, yes she is new and no PTO experience but maybe she has experience in other areas that you can't see or know about. Maybe she has ran church groups/sales, etc. Maybe she was a leader in high school/college. The president made the offer no one has ever stepped up and now your school has a chance to have new leadership after seven years, with that new "in-experience" leadership comes new energy, ideas and motivation. To be honest I bet there are alot of "in-experience" people who became parent group leaders, I for one. I had been involved in my school years and when I was asked I laughed, here it is almost four years later and Learning along the way has made me a better leader. There are so many resources for new leaders and I think you need to give her a try. Maybe in your heart you wanted it? Or maybe It is just hard to accept change? Wish her luck and be supportive of her...we all deserve a chance
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
I don't understand how this is a family takeover. The president has always said someone else could take his place, and someone wants to. What's wrong with that? I guess if the president doesn't want someone else to take over, he shouldn't have made the offer.
I need some help figuring this out. This will be odd as we are not an official PTO. We are a small private school and the board has always been very informal. Our 'leader' has always put out there that if anyone wants to take his position, they can. In other words, if no one else will do it, he will continue with his leadership role.
Not one person has raised their hand in the last 7 years. This year, someone did. A kindergarten parent raised her hand. Her parents have been involved in the school/church for some time and it appears to be some kind of take-over. That's the best way I can explain it.
The principal is of no help and says we should let it be. How can someone with no experience come in and take the reins? It is a huge responsibility for someone as a new parent to take on.
