Draper - your heart is in the right place, and I learned this one the hard way, too. While you are president, you need to bend over backwards to include as many people as possible. Try to have new people chairing events, etc. Get as many people involved as possible to avoid the "clique" factor. There are so many times it would be easier and, in fact, quicker, to do things myself, but I have learned that I must delegate. You see - if you don't use those volunteers, the well will dry up. It is hard to sit back sometimes and even let something happen that is less than 100%, but it must happen. The other detriment is burnout - and you will get to that point eventually where you just cannot say "yes" one more time, but because you have done so many things yourself that it is expected of you and others won't be as willing to step up.

Let yourself breathe every now and then - you deserve a break and I wish you every success!

Cathie

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>The 2 people that "attacked" me where people I felt close to.<hr></blockquote>

Can you speak with them honestly? Allowing your hurt feelings to simmer and fester will only make this worse. Open yourself to the possibility that there is something going on here that you're not seeing, maybe that nobody is saying anything to you about, and open the channels of communication.

First, talk to the person who thought you were selfish for doing the work yourself. Personally, I would be flabbergasted by that accusation -- after all, YOU did the work! But sometimes there is a job that somebody just enjoys doing, and maybe she looks forward to the opportunity to see all the parents at the hand out? I make name tags for my church, and there are several very good technical reasons why I've not handed the job over to the office -- but #1 is really that I enjoy doing it.

You might learn something from this discussion that obviates the other discussion. But it might not hurt to contact the volunteer coordinator, and while making it clear that you don't want to know names, ask if it is her understanding that you had complained about doing the work yourself. It appears that you've learned a lesson here about the importance in your PTO of asking for help -- even when you don't need it.

Now, the possibility exists that you'll also earn a reputation as a whiner. That's a risk you'll have to take. Communication is the key to saving these friendships.

it probably seems like all i do is ask advice about neg. stuff but here lately it has been bad.
when school first started there were some teachers who really recented the pto organization, because they alway seem to step on the teachers toes. That got better, I asked the teachers their opinion and tried to BE CAREFUL. One or two still were not happy, but that is to be expected. But now I have two board memeber who have been really hateful to me just because I chose to hand out the boxes containing the merchandise purchased in our fundraiser. It was easy and I enjoyed it. Parent had been waiting since we turned the order in 9-20 (it came in 11-14) I was in charge of the fundraiser,(collected forms, money ALL OF IT). One board member said she thought I was being selfish and not being a team player because I hadn't ask her to help and the other (the Volunter Coordinator) said I had no right to complain because I didn't ask for any help) I DIDN"T COMPLAIN!!! I don't know what to do. As PResident, they wanted me to handle the ordering of the new playground, I did and let them know when everything was signed and sealed. I was in charge of two dance in which the voluntter coordinator did a terrible job covering for me. Fall Festival that everyone loved, but know I am a terrible person who isn't a team player. I feel terrible. First I cried then I got mad. part of me wants to keep going and make this a great year, but the other part wants to resign and let tham have it. The 2 people that "attacked" me where people I felt close to. Now i don't trust either one of them.
PLEASE GIVE ME SOME HONEST ADVICE ON WGAT TO DO OR WHAT YOU THINK. THANKS SO MUCH!!! :confused: