Thanks for the uplift. Personally when I present a new idea or a possible twist I will do so with the majority of the work/research done & the ability to chair it - it's the business in me. The group of new parents I have mentioned haven't but we all get the same MO none the less.
I have accepted that any idea I present "will not work" and have moved on - I just feel for the others who are now in the line of fire. I was hoping they would have more luck with other avenues if others have used some.

One tip that I can give that might kind of force some change is that when you bring up an idea for a new program or event, be sure to add that you are willing to take responsibility for setting it up and getting it running. That might make it a little harder for them to say "no" and if they do say "no" it will be quite obvious to everyone present at the meeting that they are just being obstinate. The thought of being outed as a control freak, clique, stuck in a rut person or group because they will be rejecting a project that actually has someone(or ideally a group of people) who are willing to do the work could make them think twice.

As a PTO leader for many years I can remember and identify with times when a fresh face would throw out an idea and we would open the floor for discussion to find that while others liked the idea, no one would take responsibility for being in charge of it including the person who presented the idea. If you want change you've got to be willing to jump in with both feet when you present that new idea. The board members may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the enthusiam too.

Hang in there and hang around here. Great support and advice on this site.

[ 10-10-2006, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: LUVMYKIDS ]

Country Mom - I was president of my last school's PTO for three years. During that time enrollment numbers increased greatly. It is a very tough transition time. The "old guard" feels like they need to protect certain traditions and feel a great responsibility to the community. The new members feel they bring energy, excitement and new ideas. I could sit through a meeting and literally see the frustration on some of the newer members' faces. I can tell you from experience that it wasn't a lack of respect for the new members or a belief that our old ways were better. Instead, it was caution and a sense of obligation that forced us to pace ourselves as the community continued to grow around us. Responsible change is what our community needed.

I've since moved from that school. I left a PTO board that was a wonderful mix of people from ladies who grew up in that town and graduated from those schools to the newcomers who brought in all kinds of fresh new ideas.

The glimmer of hope you're looking for is yourself. Continue to work with the PTO, with the "old" and "new" alike and slowly help implement the changes you think will benefit the community while steadfastly holding onto the traditions that make your school what it is.

I will try to be positive here but I was hoping for some small glimmer of hope.

The best way these parents can affect change is to hang in there through this school year, keep putting forth their ideas and thoughts, and when election time comes around run for office. If your current leadership is that negative and that stuck in their ways, then a change in the leadership will probably be the only way to move your group forward. Walking away won't solve the problems, it will only allow the current attitudes to continue. Your kids deserve better!

Our school is growing quickly. With the quick growth comes a great flow of new parents. Many new parents have been attending PTO meetings and have become frustrated after attending only one or two meetings. Many have noticed problem areas and suggested changes but have not been greeted positively by the PTO yet the ideas are widely supported by the Principle. There is a deep history of the 'PTO click' mentality - have asked some parents who now have kids graduating and all express the problems they had. Frankly it’s depressing to hear such negativity built up over the years.
I have been quietly reviewing all areas of the PTO and have found they are basically behind the times compared to other PTO's around the nation. Poor website, poor communication, no parent surveys etc. My question is - the parents are not on the ‘board’ per say and experiencing such negativity for their ideas - what is the best route to make or suggest changes before we loose the momentum? Principle?
Your ideas, suggestions and tips are openly accepted.