Jewel, no, they are not board members. So, I guess they are technically "parent volunteers." Although I thought what separated parent volunteers from PTO was that PTO Members helped coordinate events and worked throughout the event to make sure everything runs smoothly. Parent volunteers are the parents that don't necessarily have time to be part of the planning stages, but are involved at their child's school by giving their time to help during school events. As I said, we are not a large school. Thirty of our 166 students are bused in from other districts because we are the Special Education seat for the county. So really, I am working with only 136 sets of parents because out of district parents tend not to be as involved.
Until this year we did not even have a board. We were merely a group of 3-4 parents who met once a month - more often if there was an event - and we were lead by the principal. There was no board, no majority, no agendas. It was just 3-4 woman who wanted to make a difference at our school for ALL the children and for the faculty and staff. We ALL worked to pull off events. I have spoken with two trusted friends of previous PTOs and asked for their advice and they really didn't know what to tell me. It has always been that if you were in PTO, you worked the events. If you had a spare moment when things slowed down, then you grabbed some time with your children.
This year, we implemented an executive board and are working to make this a more formal PTO. Although these women are not on the board, they are part of the body, and are coordinators in their own right for their own events. I cannot imagine leaving them "twisting in the wind" if they were in the same predicament.
DLF and desert, This is an annual event where we have Back2School Night coupled with the book fair and a "meal" (Maid Rite or a hot dog with baked beans, potato chips, and a beverage). It has "always" been done this way and the community expects it. I'm new to this area and even after two years, I still get the "Its always been done this way." People here do not take well to change. LOL It is very frustrating to me that I may have to scale back a time-honored event because I can't get the volunteers I need. I feel that in this situation, I should be able to call on PTO Members to fill in the gaps until we can get a parent volunteer base built back up. Isn't that being on the PTO is about? Parents stepping forward for the betterment of our children's school by putting on events, showing our appreciation to teachers and staff, and raising funds to supplement district funding?!
The thing is, these women are so up in arms because the district cut our funding for field trips due to gas prices. They want to raise money so their children can have the same opportunities for learning outside of the classroom that we had growing up. Don't they understand that events such as these are WHY the PTO is able to give the teachers money for field trips?! That's why it is so important that we work together on this to make it a success.
I can't cut back on the meal because that is where we earn our money. The profit from the book fair is given to us in books. More bang for your buck that way. That's why I need volunteers to cover both things. And with that, we're back to the small town "Its always been done this way" mentality.
I never thought being in this position was all about politics. How you phrase things. How words can be twisted back at you. Who you know. Who you get on "your side." I feel like I've fallen back in time to high school. Its ridiculous.
I have been on PTO Today all summer and have gotten fired up at the opportunities that are out there for our school. I read these posts and can only wonder at some of the things other PTOs are able to do. I want that for our school! Maybe I just can't fathom the pettiness of these three women when we are all supposed to be working together for the common good. I have not voiced these opinions to anyone except our Vice President and my husband. I have not told these women they HAVE to work. I have explained the situation to them and why it would be helpful if they could possibly work an additional shift. I have been friendly and understanding. I have even taken the time to explain what I'm thinking and why it needs to be scheduled the way it is. I have explained that we do not have the core of parent volunteers that we used to be able to call on. I have encouraged the entire PTO to work together to find a reasonable solution to our problem. I have praised them for their involvement. I have explained that we are running out of time. What more can I possibly do? Quitting for me is not an option. I don't give up that easily. Although, if I did, I wouldn't even be this far with our PTO! LOL :confused: