After years of volunteering in the community,I sympathize with the out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new phenomenon. I can say when I first started volunteering, I did the same thing. It was not because I objected to the established ways, but because I didn't know them, or they were not my forte. I think it takes maturity, experience and wisdom to maintain established programs of value and implement changes that are innovative. It also helps to come through the ranks, which we don't always have the luxury of happening. I've learned that while I may give my heart and soul to a project for the benefit of the school, it is my vision and may not be shared by the next person. Likewise, other projects belong to the person working on them, and are not the way I would do them, and will change with the next leader. But I'm happy someone takes ownership in the project and realize I too, will move on to something else (my kids won't be in elementary school forever).

I try to train someone on a current project, so they can take charge of it next year. I think they understand better what has been set up this way. Most people are afraid of taking responsibilty for chairing a project, but will want to keep it going if they have had a hand in implementing it. I think that's the best way to avoid the new person disregarding past work.

An oar? You've got an oar?

I just wanted to clarify one thing. We did initiate a lot of stuff last year when I was prez. The things I spoke of that the children enjoyed every year or every other year, were things like Pioneer Living Experience (which we do every other year), Artist In Residence (done on the alternating years of Pioneer Living), Red Ribbon Week, etc. We established a lot of things as I really stressed being 'out of the box' and trying new things. I don't think anyone could call my year as prez 'business as usual'... LOL!
I think that each new prez brings new ideas, new concepts, new paperwork. I think what 'name withheld' is trying to say is that it is hard to watch everything get thrown out. No previous group was ALL bad ideas, paperwork, etc. There is a lot to be said for "Tried and True". It is up to the new administration to work Tried and True in with new ideas, concepts, events, etc. I do think that being told "it won't work" is the quickest way to get anyone rebel, to put new ideas immediately to work...LOL! I know that the years before I was prez, I had been told so many things wouldn't work or that they had been tried before and hadn't worked. Like any human being, it just made me want to prove 'them' wrong and you know what? In most areas, I was able to do that. It took a bit more work to bring some programs and events to life, but I think that was the difference in my presidency and those before me and this year's group... I used hard work - not purchase power - to bring new ideas to life, to bring them in successfully. The prez before me was a hard worker, as was the veep, but I couldn't compete with their craftiness and political skills. I soooooo appreciate them more now!!!

We are sort of going through the reverse of what you are experiencing. For years, our PTA ran things "business as usual", and nothing new was ever implemented. There were really no regular letters, newsletters, or other contacts except half-sheet meeting reminders sent home. Fundraisers have always been the same old thing, and nothing has ever been done "out of the box".

I am vice pres to the lady who was pres last year, and she seems to want to change that "business as usual" mindset...but we are having to start from scratch, basically. Everything we put together, we save on a floppy disk marked PTA, to turn over to whomever takes over next year...but we also have a back up in case it is all totally changed, and we need to know what we had to begin with.

We are facing some resistance from some of the "old" members, telling us "this won't work." or "we've always done it the other way." It gets discouraging, but we keep plugging away. We do have the support of some of the old members who think the change will be good. So we'll see how the year goes. I sympathize with you. Wish I had some advice to give, but until we see how this year turns out, I am afraid I am in the boat with you...paddling upstream with one oar. Good Luck!

After our new prez was elected, our group went a step farther... they began getting rid of the programs that had been established in the past! I understand their need to set their own tone, make their own mark, but it would seem to me that they are more interested in setting their tone and making their mark than they are concerned about what the children have enjoyed each year or every other year. Forms? OMG! Just threw them in the trash. I went up to the school this last week to get things ready for our first fundraiser and was shocked to find out that other than the initial fundraiser (which I scheduled and am chairing), that nothing else has been scheduled. Not one other program, event, nothing, nada, zip. The new president has not even checked the mail from over the summer yet! I have to admit that I am just a bit scared!

As Past President, I'm trying hard to remain involved and be supportive, yet step back a bit to give the new President space to make her own decisions. We have a great crew of officers, (a good mix of old and new) and I'm confident the year will work out well.

Yet, I've been a bit surprised by how much of a "clean sweep" the incoming officers are making and I wonder if any of you are experiencing the same thing. What are your experiences?

We've painstakingly developed forms, procedures, and documentation that would be valuable to build upon. Of course, they'll want to implement new ideas and make changes. What I didn't expect was just to ignore the work of the past and start over. In their enthusiasm of redesigning forms, they use nothing of the old, so it seems all our lessons learned are being lost. We inherited nothing, so I hoped the new group could benefit and have to spend less time on administrative taks.

For example, after our first T-shirt order form, we quickly learned we should add a box at the bottom to mark check or cash and if the shirt was distributed and by whom. They are back to square one on this, and I'm sure will learn the same lesson after process the first few dozen orders.

There are no bad feelings at all. It's just that every new officer and committee chair seems so determined to re-write every letter and form that the work of the past is ignored. I didn't expect things to remain stagnant, but I thought the past could be a foundation they would find useful.

Are any of the rest of you seeing this?