Jewel is absolutely right! Sometimes it takes a dramatic event to drive change. This might be the very change your school needs. Throw your energy behind the new team and help them be successful.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
Please don't feel that what you did caused this issue. It sounds like you had 3 drama queens on the board. Their true purpose of being on the board was completely self-serving as opposed to being there for the children. The fact that they ganged up and quit in a huff, despite your contrite apology, is evidence of their selfish motives. Notice that the lead person never apologized to YOU for her back-stabbing gossip, did she?
I tend to think that the remaining officer will find plenty of other parents more than willing to be part of the PTO once the news that those three are gone gets around. This can be a very, very good thing for your board.
Thank you all for your replies. I'm sad to say that not only did that officer quit, but three of other officers quit in support of her. I'm heartbroken for our school and the remaining officer, who was using this year to phase out as an officer. Looking back, I can't help but think about how it could have been handled differently. Other than the possibility of turning the other cheek and just ignoring it, I really think I did what was best for our situation. I just didn't expect that reaction. It wasn't the first time we've had a conflict (thus the talking about me), but I thought everything had been resolved politely and appropriately. If I have the chance to serve as a PTO officer again, I will definitely use what I've learned from this experience and do a better job of "playing well with others" in the future.
Thank you for your kind responses. I haven't been able to stop crying today because I really feel like I failed our PTO and our school. You definitely helped.
Only cowards quit! You would have to wonder if any of your members is really there for the kids. We are suppose to be advocates for the kids and the parents who can't or don't feel comfortable speaking. Personalities will clash and I'm really afraid to say but you do have cliques being formed everyday in these groups. What a shame! My advice to you people will forever speak good, bad, and ugly of you. Keep your focus on the real true meaning of why you are really there doing what you do. DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY NO MATTER HOW PERSONAL IT GET. WALK AWAY AND CONTINUE TO DO THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU DO AND KEEP SHINING THE LIGHT FOR THE KIDS! We need good parents in these parent groups who will be an example, because some child or someone is always watching you and God Bless!
So, the officer gossiped about you then, when confronted, is pulling the martyr act?
You've already apologized for over-reacting. Call her bluff by refusing to
kow-tow any further.
If she brings it up again in ANY way (including her threat to quit), very sincerely respond that she'll have to do what she feels is best. When she feels that she has ground you down satisfactorily enough and has gotten a lot of attention from everyone on the matter, I imagine that she will "graciously" agree to stay on.
(just a little holiday cheer)
