It's true that the parent that has the time to be at the school and is a great organizer always seems to take on more of the burden. It sounds like the other officers are more than willing to let you carry the load of work on your shoulders. If I were you, I would make it a mission to get as many of my friends and other parents that I see around the school to really get on board and help me out. It sounds like you are friendly and outgoing, so I would ask others to help. And remember, what you are doing is really making a difference. Even though you are stressed out, you can make a change by getting more parents involved. You just need to ask, tell them what they can do to help, and let them do some of the work. You might find a new great friend in the mix. As my friend always reminds me, we get paid in smiles!

Are you sure you aren't the President

What you could do is put together your own troop pf volunteers that want to help you get the job done. You can't tell me there is no one else...there is someone watching you and wondering how can I help this poor gal!?
This is also (I feel) were you pick your battle. Should I just start asking others for help while still keeping the other board members informed? OR Forget them (as they have--well it feels like--)forgotten me and get the job done.

My disadvantage is I am at home while my board members have 9-5 jobs. While I have worked this to my advantage, I have learned how to let the others know I need their help or at least sent your middle or high school kids to volunteer! Also I have learned to just deligate. "SO Ann, you can stop at Sam's to pick up the cake?" "Then call ahead and order it, they do deliver, then I don't have to take the kids to the store." Sure they may dissappoint you (I'm so used to doing it all myself this took alot for me!) but if you think about it....Rome wasn't built in a day by one guy......no many "volunteers" were there to get it done.

Sorry to ramble....

Hi!! I usually end up doing alot myself because no one wants to help plan or set-up. As far as the president never showing up, maybe a different day/time might help. Our by-laws state that if an officer misses 3 unexcused meetings in a row, then a letter gets drafted up stating why they are no longer an officer. I've been doing pto for 8 yrs. I've been sec.,vp, & pres. twice. I think I've only missed maybe 2 meetings & that was before I was an officer. To be a president & miss all the meetings...that's bad. If they can't show up to any meetings then they should have to wait for the minutes at the next meeting unless someone was sick/emergency. If they can't commit then they should just resign to make things easier. Good luck!!!

Your story is very common. One person, who is usually at the school more often, does the majority of the work (because they are there) and everyone else complains that they didn't get to help. Here's my advice, make sure when you are planning events at meetings that each member has a job for the month before you leave. You don't have to remind them. Just see what happens. Generally, board members want to help, they just aren't sure how to get started and can feel overwhelmed by someone who does so much without complaint.
Also check your bylaws, ours says a President MUST attend all meetings, if this is not possible, then they should consider stepping down so someone can be there to lead the group.

I need some feedback, good or bad, please.

I am the secretary of our PTO. We have a Pres, VPres, Sec, and Treas. The problem is that no-one other than myself ever does anything. I have done all of the bookfairs, the santa shop, the visit with santa, the luncheons, back to school night, our major fundraiser,our carnival, and the day to day things by myself. I'm not complaining, I love my volunteer work (I also work at the school), sometimes it is much more rewarding than my paid job. However, here's the problem. Our President has not been to one meeting this year, she has not helped with anything at the school all year and the other officers are complaining that I do all the work. I tell them that we are all at the same meeting when we discuss everything that needs to be completed for the upcoming month. We all know what needs to be completed, when it needs to be completed and what time we should all meet at the school but when the time comes they all dissapear. They always say they never know what is going on but they are at the meetings, and I send them copies of my newsletter that explains everything that the PTO discussed at the meeting. What should I say to them to make them understand that I am not their babysitter, It is not my job to call them everytime an event comes up to ask them to help me. They know when we do things, they know that somehow they get done, they know they should be in there to help me but they always have excuses about why they cannot help and then complain that I do all the work and they never know what is going on. They also want to me fill them in each month before our public meetings so they won't look silly in front of other parents. I have total cooperation from our building Principal so there is not problem there. Please provide me with some feedback....please. Thanks