Our executive board includes our major committee chairs year round. This includes the membership chair, fund raising chair, school spirit chair and our representative on the principal's leadership team. Sometimes those chair people also hold a board seat, but even if they do not, they are a part of the board and able to speak and vote at board meetings.

We used to only meet with the board, but found we are much better run by including the people who are most involved regardless of title.

We also invite the chairs of one time events like Family fun and teacher appreciation to the meetings that preceed their event so they can report and we can advise.

The date/time of board meetings are not disclosed. Sometimes we host these meetings at somebodies house. They are not regularly scheduled, but usually in response to something happening. Also voting on teacher grants, budget, nomination for elections takes place in board meetings. Once we have recommendations put together these items are presented to the general membership for discussion and approval.

I agree that items discussed as a board can be confidential. Our principal will discuss items in a board meeting that he would never mention in a general meeting. We can feel free to argue and debate behind closed doors - compromise and present a united front to our general members. Our board members are a close team. Feelings aren't hurt by disagreeing. That isn't always the case at a general meeting. Our principal prefers that anything "messy" stay with the board and that we put a positive spin on it before the general meeting.

We are a new parent group that formed just a few months ago. We decided to be a PTO and not charge dues. With there being no previous parent group before in our middle school, we are openly inviting all members (which is any parent/guardian of a middle school child) to attend & get involved. With only a handful of meetings accomplished so far, only a few parents have come. We have openly welcomed them/asked where their interest lies, etc. and invited them to volunteer and/or come back.
We will always follow our agenda, and have a timer in order to keep to business and not stray for too long. As it's stated in our Bylaws that we do not make school policy and act as communication and voluteer avenues, any issues of school policy are referred to the principal.
Of course, one of the benefits to coming to our board meetings that we advertise is the principal gives us a report of activities at the school and we have the opportunity to bring up any issues of concern or ideas; but ultimately school policy is under the school administration. So far the one or two times items that have come up, have worked out well. As the parent leaves knowing their concerns weren't fully discussed to their satification, but they have an apt. w/ the principal to discuss it further, and we appear as a bridge for the two.
In my past experiences, making a point of inviting all parents, I have a 50/50 chance of getting that person involved and working. Which is odds worth taking.

Board meetings are closed to general membership. It is a working meeting with alot of uncensored dialog and frank discusssion. General members are spoken about, we problem solve and also work through strategies. Nothing covert occurs, it's just if we had an audience, we would get alot less done.

Our baord meets after the general meeting and the membership is ready to go home ! It's not advertised or anyhting, but I'm pretty sure no one would care.

Folks can come to ours, voice their opinions and then only board members vote. We don't hold monthly PTO meetings so this allows for parents who care to...to be involved in the more intimate details of running the group. We've only had a couple of folks ever attend a board meeting though...

I like having them know they can...closed meetings just don't seem inviting or in the spirit of giving everyone a voice.

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