Apostle took the words right out of my mouth. Delegate, delegate, delegate!

But you also need to provide some training or guidance so people feel secure stepping up to the PTO plate. Set expectations and parameters at the start, then let the committee chairs run their committee. Accept that they might not do everything exactly like you would, but it's the end result that matters. For example, if your Corresponding Secretary asks you to proof read the quarterly newsletter, read for content and accuracy. Don't change font style or word choice unless there's something substantially wrong. Don't criticize the brand of juice ordered for Donuts with Dad or the type of events planned by the Staff Appreciation committee. Nuture the volunteers, set a good example, and let them enjoy the satisfaction of a challenge and success. Remember they will be the PTO leaders soon.

I have been prez at two different schools (pta and pto). I stay at home and am on the computer a fair amount 10-20 a week handling business. I go to the school about once a week. If you are someone that can't let go of things, say no, or needs to be involved in everything, don't do it. To be successful, you need to delegate, be okay with your PTO not doing everything, don't micromanage. The treasurer is by far the most intensive. If you delegate and participate in only a few things, you should be alright. You will mostly be handling people relation issues, and background stuff by keeping abreast of what is going on. I ask for monthly updates to help me with that. You are really the person who needs to keep the crazies under control and provide direction and encourage to the rest. Good luck. IT is not difficult, a bitconsuming at times. Ultimately it is upto you how much you get involved with all the little details. The Prez should really be about taking care the big picture and leavign the little details to the chairs.

It is as hard as you make it. Is it tough being pres yes, but there are ways to make it easier. First and foremost ASK!!!! Ask someone to co pres with you, ask a parent to take on and event, ask for parents to help at an event.
This is my second year as pres, last year I delegated this year I am delegating even more and you have to trust your chairpersons or you will go crazy trying to keep up with every little tid bit.

You can do it and it will be the best job you will ever have. A tough one but when you see the kids enjoying things they don't normally get its truly worth it.

Good Luck

Cindy

sweethart please remember why you are doing this in the first place,the kids. make it your own, start small and build yourself a group arould you.Then you can expand and do more. find out what your groups strong points.Have a mom or dad good on the computer,have them work on flyers, or a parent that just has an hour once a week have them put out your flyers at school.If you can talk to other parents before or after school,see what they want or can do.Good luck, and remeber if you need help that is what these message boards are for.

I think getting a parent group started would be tough but there is nothing saying you can't start small and grow your group a little every year. A handful of people can do a great job if they have the time and energy.

Our PTO has been in existance for 7 years and this is my first year as pres. I check the mail at school twice a week and chat with the principal then as needed. My big mode of communication is email, and my board communicates via email at least once a week, and much more if we have something big going on. I am big on delegating, drawing new people in with personal contact, and letting people do their jobs. If someone proposes something new, they need to be ready to head it up, although I am always willing to support them as needed.

I probably spend at least two hours a day working at home on PTO stuff, organizing, planning, researching, etc. I have a great board that is enthusiastic and ready to tackle anything (within reason) that comes our way. And I always have an eye out for potential future leaders.

It's not hard, but I think it does take a good deal of time, energy, and enthusiasm to do a good job. If your handful of parents really want this, you can do it.

I agree with the idea that the job is as much or as little as you make it. Right now we are making some changes in our PTO. We don't really have enough people who are willing to step up and run it so it may fall by the wayside.


What I've decided is that even if we don't have an official PTO I can still be supportive of the school. I have written 2 grants this year and instead of asking that the PTO receive the proceeds I just asked that the grant go directly to the school. I may be able to bring more funds into our school by grant writing (all by myself) than our small PTO brought in. Either way, there are so many things that a parent can do to support the school that I know I'll find something.

I think the biggest thing I've learned in trying to get a new PTO launched and running is to take it slow and don't bite off more than you can chew. We jumped right in to craft fairs and other things and didn't get a constitution and bylaws voted into place. So now that has become a big issue that we started didn't get a good foundation in place.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do!!!!!!