Dear jackieoh,
Our PTO has run without any so-named officers since its inception. We opted to be "co-chairs". We all pretty much do everything and it's worked for us. Whatever needs to be done, gets done. There have been times when each of us has spearheaded a particular thing and, I guess, taken a presidential role, but it's never been a thing about the title. I don't know if it will work for you, but we have been very pleased and there hasn't been any tension--we're all equal, no real ego trips happening. But from reading various postings, I know this isn't the case for a lot of groups.
Good luck to you and a pat on the back for stepping up to the plate for your school.
If one of the responsibilities of the vice president is to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of president if for any reason she/he is unable to do so - then yes - and for all intents and purposes the person who has agreed to serve as vice president has just agreed to serve as president. If that is the case - they may as well accept the position of president and find a good right hand to be vice president. If the person who has agreed to be vice president is not ready to step up like that - then you need a search/nomination group to work hard and fast to find someone.
Do not overlook the parents of incoming kindergartners. Sometimes they can be the most enthusiastic, and if this is their first or only child coming into the school - they aren't burned out (yet) either.
Is it possible to run the PTO WITHOUT a President? We have our elections next week for the 2003-2004 Board and we have people who want to run for all positions EXCEPT President. Is this really possible?
