Love atonjes's advice: "Don't let a meanie get you down." Take the high road and you'll feel better for it. Not easy to do when a friend turns on you... but you don't want to stoop her level.
Regarding your question about who regulates your PTC, there is no larger governing body so if you have concerns about misuse of funds, etc. you should bring your concerns to the principal. Here is an article to reference for group finance best practices: www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...t-financial-controls
Ask for a copy of the bylaws. As president, I can't just up and fire a fellow officer. If you are refused, head to the principal. If there is true financial mismanagement, the principal can probably ask the district treasurer to intervene. (At least, that is what could happen here).
I totally feel for you on the power grab. That's the wrong type of person to have as a leader. Unfortunately, in the volunteer world, there are times we get stuck with that. And that is what good bylaws can help to alleviate.
Stay involved, above all. Don't let a meanie get you down!
My best advice is to stay involved. Be at every meeting, volunteer as much as you can, and ask tons of questions. By asking specific questions you can hold the officers accountable. If you think money is being misused ask for a budget. Each month, ask what money has been spent on and how much money has been taken in. Make the officers be specific. Saying "We spent $300 on Family Night" is not good enough; make them give you an itemized list with prices. You, and every other member of your group, have a right to know what your group is spending money. You can't give up. Even if you don't hold an office, you, and the other members, hold the power.
This year I was asked by the PTC to step in this year as VP. I gladly took on the role of VP with fundraising as my main job.
Over the course of the year, the President went from being one of my closest friends to telling me that 'other Moms' did not think my fundraising was effective. She indicated that if I did not relinquish the fundraising portion of my duties, the board would vote me out. I would remain on the Exec Board but not be in charge of fundraising. She said she had other plans for me. I agreed to relinquish the fundraising because there were only two small events left.
I missed the next PTC meeting (the first one all year). Two days later I was cc'd on an email she sent to the entire PTC indicating that because I was relinquishing fundraising, the exec board had no choice other than to vote to relieve me of all of my duties, they fired me from the PTC Exec Board. This is not a school that has a ton of volunteers, like many other schools, it is a small group of volunteers that does it all. Now the president is effectively running everything from her job, to the VP and fundraising, and any other group effort on campus. It is a power grab.
Since my departure, I have reflected on many things that I KNOW are wrong with the PTC and it's leadership. My question is .... who regulates the PTC? I am concerned about money issues (mismanagement of monies, PTC breaking district policies, etc). I have given up on this year, but I am afraid that under this present leadership (she has one more year), and with her circle of 'yes men', the students will not benefit from all that the PTC has to offer. She has everyone just following her lead and believing all that she says. Who can I turn to?
