I was on my elementary school PTO for 5 years, and the PTO president for 3 - the PTO got me a plate with our school mascot on it and the dates that I served as President that said thank you across the top - it was one that everyone could sign with a special pen - and then I had to "cook" it at home to fire it (ceramics) to save all the writing. It's a beautiful plate and a memory I will have on my office desk for a very long time!
I have a broader question: to whom do you give thank-yous? Outgoing board members put in a lot of work. What about committee chairs? How do you decide which committees (eg, the auction/social chairs do a lot more work than some others)?
The librarian threw a thank-you for parents who had volunteered in the library -- and asked them to chip in $10, which isn't much, but some thought it was strange to have to pay to be thanked.
One possibly interesting suggestion: we might thank one volunteer by contributing to a memorial fund in her name (the volunteer was friends with the deceased). We think this would be more meaningful than flowers or a gift card.
I know this might be a strange question, but I wanted to give my VP, Sec. and Treasurer a gift for all they work they have done the past two years. Any interesting, unique suggestions for their service? Only one will be returning next year for the new Board.