kelly, seems alot to digest but there is a lot of help on this board. First it is not uncommon for the board to meet separately. Most have a meeting once a month and a general meeting once a month for everyone. Board meetings are supposed to be productive in planning the agenda and what lies ahead. This is where they decide what to bring before the assembly. (Others may bring up any business at the general meetings).
I just assumed that all PTO/PTAs plan their year with their principal. This is the first course of action for our PTA presidents. It is at this meeting that we secure dates, compare calendars, book fundraisers etc...
If this has not been done I would highly recommend it. No way should you have to suffer this again.
I am new to all this and could use some help/advice! The school is private and therefore has an administration and a PTO. The problem is that one does not know what the other is doing. I am planning a fundraiser for the PTO and had no idea the admin. was sending out a fundraiser around the same time. The PTO even covered some costs that definitely should have been covered by the admin! On top of this, the PTO "Board" meets separately from the regular PTO. They don't even know what each other is doing! Is this a mess, or is it just me?! What can I do?