We have a new PTO with few parents on board so far. What I did was go through out events and responsibilities and deivide them up between the President and myself for now.
Basically she is over Programs and Volunteers
I took Communications (I do the website anyway) and Ways and Means (finding ways to make and spend money.)
So far this division is working GREAT!!!! The President being over programs and volunteers has the responsibility for the PTO "biggies" and by taking over comminications (which takes a lot of time) and Ways and Means (which is research and takes a lot of time) we are dividing all the things we need to keep an eye on.
Thanks for the advice! It makes great sense. I am so not confrontational at all so when this was suggested I pretty much just nodded my head and said "Oh sure, that could work".
I have to admit, it will be HARD for me to give up this role. As much as I do complain about it at times, I do love it. I love the relationships it has allowed me to build with the staff and other parents. My youngest is in first grade and our school goes up to 5th - where my oldest is - so I could potentially have a long run. However, I know that change is good and I really do need to give someone else a chance. See, we don't "vote" in the true sense I guess. We all sit around our table and when the time comes to fill positions, if someone is interested in it and everyone agrees that that person would be good there, that person gets it. So far, I've had no one else interested in the Chair position so it's just really been assumed all along that I'd remain.
It's just so hard to teach what I do naturally!!!!
I've never been a fan of "CO" - too head strong I guess. I'm happy if you tell me what to do, or if I can tell you what to do, but I'm miserable if every decision has to be a collaboration! I suggest you set her up as your 1st VP or Presidnet in training, or Assistant Prez, but not your shared equal. I've seen co relationships work with lots of coordination at a subordinate level, but at the top of the organization, I believe there should be one person ultimately responsible. In reality, a good CO relationship could probably be broken into two distinct jobs, or...it's functioning as a lead/subordinate relationship.
Ok, off my soap box. Can you identify a really meaningful chunk of responsibility for her to take on? Don't go into this trying to share responsibilities. You'll be miserable especially since you've done it for several years. This could be a very good thing for your group as you train a new leader. (I'm also a big FAN of term-limits!).
Last year a friend and I served as Co-Presidents of our PTO. We decided beforehand who would handle what. We divided up committee supervision and took turns leading meetings and writing the newsletter. It went very well. Having those "who's in charge of what" decisions formed kept us from stepping on each other's toes and really helped to reduce the workload and stress a leader can get when they do it alone.
I am very new to this board. Our parent group isn't a PTO or PTA "legally" but called a Parent Team. We do not have bylaws, officers & such due to a school development plan in place in the school. We have lead parents and the person that heads up the Parent Team in the Chairperson. I am that person and have been for five years now. Here's my dilema...
I have a mom interested in co leading with me. I don't really have a problem with that. My problem is how do I co lead??? How do I teach what I do naturally?? What things do we separate? What do we do together???
