just a thought, but since she was the pres before, she probably made a good many contacts with people inside and outside of the school, so trying not to upset her a whole lot would be worth the effort. One persons negativity can bring down the whole house of cards. The more upset she is, the more she is going to talk about you and the entire group. is there a committee she can head up? or maybe put her with someone who does fundraising, since she seems to like money issues. Be sure to recognize her in the first PTO meeting you have, like what a great job she did last year and the things that were accomplished under her leadership. Kill her with kindness after you get her off the checking account.

HEY CrewChief, thanks for the welcome back!!!!!

Volunteer-pardon my unsolictied advice, but you or the current pres, needs to go the bank this summer, and get the past Pres OFF the signature page of the PTOA checking accoutn, dont wait til fall.
whats done is done. and then send her a nice email (cc the other officers and principal) ,informing her she is OFF signature, thank her for her past PTOA good works and efforts on behalf of the kids and schoo, and wish her anice summer and welcome her back to VOLUNTEER next year.

that will give her a 2 good months to get over the check signing authority severance and no longer an officer thing, so you can start the new year without having to hash out last years 'issues' if you know what i mean.

some people need a little help in letting go of past responsibilities (so make yuor email super nice but sincere) especially if their (sole) motives for their PTO officership effort filled a need they werent getting filled elsewhere in their life --- that does make it hard to let go, doesnt justify it but explains it.

PTO psychology takes over , some one said a while back. and i think it is key element in some organziations, at least, at the orgs of the posters that post here with ubleviable 'issues' all related to poor people (read immature) behavior!!!

Thanks everyone for your insight and advice. I have read them and taken them to heart. I have decided to "STAND MY GROUND AND WON'T STEP DOWN" to her level.

I will bring up the issue of her not being on the Board, therefore she doesn't have signature authority. But, I really can't forsee us having to write a check before school begins anyway.

This is a great group of people who really do care!!

aOK!! Welcome back!!!! Where have you been hiding? I've missed your insightful responses and witty quotes......

The wisdom of the wise, and the experience of ages, may be preserved by quotations.
- Isaac Disraeli

Volunteer - 'Our treasurer elected in the spring is moving, so the past president, (a controlling person) decided she should stay on for the summer to sign checks, since her name is still on the account, but is coming to the board meeting.'

if she is no longer an officer , she shouldnt have checksigning authority.

take care of that, and the rest of your issues might take care of themselves.

It sounds like you're really dealing with several issues here. You're getting good advice from dlf and mykidsmom!

From my own personal experience, I have to say that if I weren't moving away, I might also be a meddlesome ex-president. I have given so much of myself to the PTO that it would be hard for me to walk away and let someone else lead it. I've noticed at my son's school that when the outgoing president takes a year off and then comes back, they have a great time in a non-officer position. However, if they jump right back in there's still a tendency to try to run the show. Your own ex-pres may just be having trouble cutting the cord. Everyone could help her by gently but firmly redirecting her focus and reassuring her that things are going to be handled just fine. mykidsmom is exactly right:

redirection is a great idea but if not then a formal announcement needs to be made and (shoot) I'd even have a special thank you ready for the past Pres. Yeah, I try to sugar coat stuff when I would too, rather show them the door but sometimes ya gotta do what cha gotta do. Even if they deserve less.

The personal issues are trickier but dlf is right. You will always run across people you don't like or who don't like you. And, yes, some of them will go out of their way to make you feel small. If it interferes with your ability to work with the PTO then you absolutely should talk to the president. That's easier said than done but if you're to work as a team, the tension needs to be resolved. aOK recommended a book to me, The Bully, The Bullied and the Bystander. It's an excellent tool for understanding certain types of behaviour and helped me a great deal. I'm not saying this person you mention is necessarily a bully, but if you feel bullied then it may help you to understand what you can do about it.

Finally, yes, your group should follow the by-laws in regards to maintaining the treasurer's duties until an elected person can take on the role. The current president and vps should follow that process even if it might hurt this 'nice' person's feelings.