I know just how you feel. I've been a volunteer for the last 5 years, on the Board for the last 4, and then President the last 2. I'm really pushing for a new president as I think it's good to get in new blood, fresh ideas, etc. (Our terms are limited to 2 years unless a specific majority of the Board overturns it.) My concern is that - for the first time in years, our PTO has processes, documentation, rules. We've gone through the 501(c)(3) process. Now that we've formalized - will future officers keep it going? I feel myself starting to backslide and thinking, "well, if we just can't get anyone else I guess I could do it another year...". But I'm really trying to hold firm. It's time for the the next person to make his or her mark as president. I want to move into some volunteer work at the district level and grant writing. I can play a lessor role with the PTO. All that being said - let's see what actually happens in May.
Somebody once likened "letting go" as an officer to watching your PTO "grow up" like a child. I don't think that's true at all. The child becomes self-sufficient as he grows older. I think it's more like you're just leaving your baby (the PTO) with the next set of unknown caretakers with hope it's a postive experience. The next set of officers may not do things the same way we did. That's okay. But what if they UNDO all the hard work already put in. You aren't crazy - it is scary. But we have to let go anyway.
Am I crazy or what I've been doing PTO for 5 years now. Nominations are coming up in April elections in May. I think that I am ready for a break. But then I sit back and think will we still have the same fun programs, will this activity still happen. Is someone thinking of the
staff on these occassions? Are the kids going to be having the same fun stuff as the fun stuff we gave them and the same programs. Just wanted to know are their PTO'ers that ever feel the same. I am really looking forward to a break but behind my mind I have these thoughts.
