As OntheGoPTO indicated, most groups have Bylaws that indicate the President's responsibilities.
Usually they are as she indicated. Run the meetings, be the primary contact with the Principal, bring motions to a vote, etc.
At the same time there is so much more to running a group like ours successfully, I would add much more under the President's role. For example:
- Be ultimately responsible for the PTO supplies, including the closet or office often located within the school.
- Be a presence during the Kindergarten Orientations and other school events where parents will be present.
- Ensure that all committees are running properly and that all planned events have a chair and/or committee. If a function/event requires a chair then the President may need to fill that role or cancel the event (preferably run the event - who wants to cancel events).
- Define the yearly budget and ensure that the committees stay within the approved budget.
- Ensure that all financial accounts/transaction match up with the budget/expected. This is often done via an audit.
- Reach out to all parents through whatever means possible, in order to give all parents a chance to be involved.
- Reach out to all staff members through whatever means possible, in order to receive their input and provide them the opportunity to be involved.
- Ensure that all events/fundraisers/etc. have the volunteers/committee needed for the function to be successful.
- Be a partner with the Principal in order to make the school as successful as possible in order to benefit the students.
Many of these are general, and can be delegated to others, but IMO the President needs to ensure that all of this, and plenty more, is getting done.
To give you an idea of what I take on each year:
- Back to School Party Committee member
- Open House committee chair
- School Spirit Wear/Items Coordinator
- Website Webmaster
- Monthly Newsletter Editor
- Harvest Hoopla Co-Chair
- Are You Smarter than a 4th Grader Family Night(s) Chair
- BINGO Family Nights committee member
- Valentine's Party Co-Chair
- Golf Tournament Fundraiser Committee member
- Poker Tournament Fundraiser(s) Chair
- Playground Committee Chair
- Field Day Co-Chair
- Enrichment Co-Chair
- Yearbook Committee member
Our PTO lists the following job description in our bylaws:
a. President - The president shall preside over the meetings of the organization and executive board, serve as primary contact for the principal, represent the organization at meetings outside the organization, serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee, and coordinate the work of all officers and committees in order that the purpose of the organization be served.
