Do you really think walking away at this point would be good though? Somewhere you need to think of your sanity but if you walk away that only gives her that much more power.
My other concern is with the Principal. Well, if they are signing or receiving checks, you are going to look crazy going in there and raising a ruckus. Yes, at this point you are between a rock and a hard place.
I would stay on the board, take a low key (almost a 180 turn) no opinon really but vote no on everything. Seriously. I would vote no and make sure it is documented in the minutes and when asked, "She's gonna change her mind anyway and who am I to vote yes on the first idea." It's always easy to agree but everyone listens when there is a No vote. Really, you can do this much without having to give anyone a peice of you mind or say something you may regret later!
As far as your husband, you need him more than he knows right now. Mine (all 6'3" 250 LBS) became very involved by coming to our meetings and just standing in the back (very long stary about past Pres) and listening. I knew if he was there I was okay. No I didn't expect him to "take care of anyone" but having the one person I needed most there helped me with several of my "No" votes. Shoot, it was even fun to call her or ask her about discrepies! Yeah, really!
This is what shows you have a strong will, hanging in there when the President is....being a spoiled brat (mine was an overbearing control know-it-all) and if you believe in karma, she'll get hers.
Be strong, be yourself, stick with your convictions, use a soft voice but carry a big pen and paper to document the crazy!
This is a hard situation as the organization is completely corrupt at this point and all those who are sitting by and allowing it to happen without saying anything are just a guilty. Do you have any idea how the principal feels in all of this? I know you said she has him/her signing the checks but does the pricipal realize that she is running the organization against the bylaws and that the treasurer is not in charge of the funds as she should be? If the principal is fully aware of what is going on then I would want to know why he/she is okay with it.
With this organization being so out of control how can you personally make a difference for the kids if the president is just doing what she pleases? I would find other ways to make a difference and let this group dig its own hole. Why is a woman who does not trust the children in charge of this group in the first place?
If it were me in your situation I would speak to the principal first in private and tell him/her my concerns. I would tell him that I no longer want to be part of the organization unless it is going to be cleaned up and operate under its bylaws. I would also make these feeling abundantly clear to the other board members. I honestly would not want to be part of something this corrupt and would certainly not want to be held accountable for what they are allowing to go on. I am really suprised your treasurer whose name has to go on everything is just fine with the president controlling the check book and issuing checks at her whim.
At the next general meeting I would air it all out and say that unless the organization is going to operate as it should under your bylaws that I am resigning immediately. In the end all of this may not accomplish anything. But at least maybe more people will become aware of the facts of the situation and you will have removed yourself from being liable for anything this group does. Then you can sleep easy at night knowing you did the right thing and did not sit by and take part in what is going on here.
Ok, this year our PTO is really stressing me out. We have a President (I am VP) that does as she pleases. We vote but she then changes it to how she wants it and tells everyone "well, I knew you would not mind" But, I do mind and have said so. If you say something about the PTO she thinks that you are insulting her. She does not consult us before spending funds. (she has bought for the office, things which they had funds for)
Here is my main problem: She has control of the check book and will not release it to the treasurer. She was letting the school principle sign PTO checks. She refuses to follow our own by-laws. But... I am the only one that will say anything! Everyone else is afraid to make her mad. She treats the kids like you can't trust them. (that really upsets me!)
Well I could go on all night.. My husband wants me to quit but what about the kids? This is supposed to help them too!!
HELP!!!
