Sooby, you get lots of credit for hanging in there. The fact you haven't given up is a pretty good indication that you have what it takes to stick it out. Have you talked to any of the other PTO officers in your area? Sometimes you can gain the strength to keep going if you can get local people who have delt with similar situations. If you aren't confident in going to your pricipal for the by-law info (he/she should have that information filed) check with school administration. They may have a copy of the originals filed away. Hang in there. Dealing with similar situation myself, but I am in the unhappy position of being a president of a PTO with no by-laws....yet!
I'm telling you, if she's that much of a control freak they'll get rid of her or she'll burn herself out. Hang in there, slow and steady wins the race!
Thanks guys! Tried the laying low thing and got the newsletter taken from me because I wouldn't drop everything to make copies (I was baking my kids birthday cake). It sayd nothing in the by-laws about chairing too many committees. Only that they have to appoint a chairperson every year. I would love to do lunch duty only the ex-prez is the lunch supervisor as well as bus manager, attendance clerk and now para-pro temp.
Regarding the ex-prez chairing so many committees, check your bylaws. Ours state that one person can belong to three comm, but chair only one. We aren't always strict about it, but this looks like a good time to point out that you should try to adhere to your bylaws.
I also agree with Viceprez that this issue should be addressed by your exec. board.
"I complained to our president about the board having to ok all appointed chairpeople and she tells me if I don't like it to bring it up at the next meeting."
No, you shouldn't need to bring this to the meeting. This is between you and the rest of the board. The general membership has nothing to do with the fact that your president appears to be incompetent (can't make decisions for herself or follow standard rules.) Not to mention "caddy." (Or is it "catty?") Her loyalty should be to you and your feelings should be considered out of common courtesy. You are, after all, on the board (the ex president shouldn't have more of a say than you.) If you want to know what I'd personally do, I would lay low and take a rest. I would say NO when they ask for help (there seems to be plenty of help to go around anyways)and use your extra time for yourself or another worthwhile cause (reading to the lower grades, doing lunchduty, helping in library, baking or arranging activities for your own kids, shopping, seeing a movie, etc.) Good Luck!
I am the secretary of our PTO for the past two years. The problem I am having is that both our outgoing president and the new incoming president have been heavily relying on the president from 3 years ago for all their decisions. My biggest problem is that this woman seems to just hate me. Every committee I seem interested in chairing,she tells the president to elect her chairperson and then she won't let me do anything. I have been after the principal for a job this year as last year I was a teacher's aid and he has now given her 4. She even went so far as to find some way to try to keep the cub scouts out of our school because she found out they wanted me to be their chairperson. She is now the chairperson of fundraising, bulletin board, yearbook and she is also in charge of the resource center. I complained to our president about the board having to ok all appointed chairpeople and she tells me if I don't like it to bring it up at the next meeting. Well, I am not a very in charge person, especially since she is principal and PTO presidents pet, so I don't have enough courage to do this. I really can't do it in front of all those parents. Is there another way to handle this?? ANY input would be great!! Thanks
