Ok guys.. its an ongoing soap opera. I"ve tried to get thru to the PRESIDENT of the PTO that we cannot operate WITHOUT bylaws. She refuses to acknowledge that. She believes that the PTO is a statewide organization and we don't have to have bylaws. I feel like its two ends working against the middle here (and i'm in the middle). I would really like to see things run "right". I have refused to sign any more checks from the account until bylaws have been adopted. Guess What?! She (the PTO President ha) demanded MY resignation. She also stated that if i didn't want to step up to the plate then she would call a PTO meeting and "they" would ask me to resign. So.. with deep regret, I am resigning. I can't seem to get through to these people that there ARE laws concerning Non-Profit Organizations. Is there any more i can do? Everyone wants ME to be the messenger but no one wants to stand with me and solve the problem. You wouldn't believe the hatefulness, *(wait i guess you would.. you know how people can be) involved in all of this. Just because I want to do it the "right" way.
Thanks for any opinions...
pam
I agree with Tim. At our school we work as a team. I keep the principal up to date on anything the PTO is doing or even considering and she keeps me up to date on what's happening in the school and any ways we can help. The PTO is there to improve educational opportunities, support the teachers, be an advocate for the children in matters of safety, well-being and curriculum, and hopefully have the time and resources left over to provide some plain old fun. You'll hear it over and over again in this forum that what we do is "for the kids" but the biggest successes come when the parents, teachers, and principal work together for a common goal.
It's absolutely essential that a parent group work well with a principal. But it's equally essential that a principal work well with the parent group. It's a two-way street.
Certainly, the above Open House scenario is an example of a PTOer not realizing that the principal has to maintain the building schedule. Collaboration on that is a basic.
But some of the other posts in this thread that make it seem like the principal or staff should run the parent group go too far for me. Parent involvement is best grown when the parent group is empowered to really make a contribution to the school. When things are working well, the teachers want to help and the principal knows that the parent group's health and independence help make a vibrant school community.
Work with the principal? Absolutely. Do what we're told to do when we're told to do it?
That's not how it should work.
The principal RULES!!! Our PTO had a similar situation last year. Pto board openly stated"Who do the teachers think they are?" I believe the same statment was mentioned about the principal. We also had no bylaws, no agenda no budget and so on.....I was just as frustrated as you. So I became president this year! We are now working on all those items. Especially respect for the Teachers and Principal who are the educators of our children. So, my advise to you comes from advise from a PTO mom from this web site that I was given. Step up to the plate and do what you can . We will be here on this web site to help! Good Luck!
If we didn't ask our principal first, our PTO would not be possible. She is agreeable with everything we do but bottom line we know what she will allow and what she want. She is the one that requires the teachers to support us and therefore the encourage parents and students to support us and our fundraisers. We even hear from other schools in our city that don't have a supporting principal and we know we are blessed. At the beginning of each school year we sit down with our principal and schedule our 4 PTO meetings (9/02, 12/02, 2/03 & 5/03) and she tells us what grades will be putting the program on at each meeting. She then let's the teachers know and they create the program! Good Luck!! [img]smile.gif[/img]
Hi Pam,
What sounds like what needs to happen here is a throw up of the hands and a call to the Prez and the (one really in charge of the school -lol-) Principal and a meeting needs to occur. How crazy is this gal to ASSUME an open house and a play RIGHT NOW is good for the school's schedual? Someone needs to take her gavel away and send her home OR turn on the hose!!
Okay, my advise to you, keep doing what you are doing, get a date set for the end of the school year or after testing (maybe something a little more relaxed so the kids can have a way to let off some steam!) Is this something the music dept. can work with you on? The kids that have lessons after school could perform....how about an art show with the work the kids have been able to do... oh, Pam, I'm trying to think. If this gal HAS TO have this open house it can be worked out with the school for a better time for all. Can you get the Principal to e-mail you so you have it on paper what is going on? It may also help to give him/her a heads up as to her "evil" plan and you need his/her support and advise how to handle this. Also helps backup your conversation.
I hope I have given you some hope, don't quit, that is what the power hungry want. Stay strong, keep it going and if she doesn't get it, let the Principal have an issue with HER NOT THE PTO!
Now I need to go figure out my password! Of all the things I have lost I miss my mind the most!!lol [img]smile.gif[/img] :cool:
