I have felt your pain in the past and don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but you are going to have to take control. First though I would talk to the principal and find out what is planned and who is doing the planning. Find out why this "Main" person is conducting PTO business without board approval. In one of my cases the principal was conducting his own fund raiser that had nothing to do with the PTO. This all could be a communications breakdown between the other board members, the principal and yourself.
If the principal is of no help, then you are going to have to take matters into your own hands. You WILL upset one or more persons, but if you feel that intervention is best for the school and the PTO then it must be done. You are on the bank account and therefore can inform the bank that no checks without 2 signatures are to be paid. You can request bank records any time, and can find out what has been going on financially without your knowledge.
A PTO that is small is the hardest to manage. People thinking that they are “helping†you will conduct business in the name of the PTO and never tell the board. The board or the president will not find out until the event occurs, when the coordinating person needs help, or if the event is a flop. Then it becomes a PTO event.
I do believe that if you talk to the principal and discuss your problems, inform the principal of your possible intent to resign you might get some of your problems resolved. Just be prepared that if you cannot get help from the principal, to go through with the resignation from the board. You can still help the school, and you won’t be stepping on anyone toes.
I know this sounds rough, but you as the PTO president needs the principal in your corner. I the principal is not on your side, you will never be able to effectively run the PTO.
I have felt your pain in the past and don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but you are going to have to take control. First though I would talk to the principal and find out what is planned and who is doing the planning. Find out why this "Main" person is conducting PTO business without board approval. In one of my cases the principal was conducting his own fund raiser that had nothing to do with the PTO. This all could be a communications breakdown between the other board members, the principal and yourself.
If the principal is of no help, then you are going to have to take matters into your own hands. You WILL upset one or more persons, but if you feel that intervention is best for the school and the PTO then it must be done. You are on the bank account and therefore can inform the bank that no checks without 2 signatures are to be paid. You can request bank records any time, and can find out what has been going on financially without your knowledge.
A PTO that is small is the hardest to manage. People thinking that they are “helping†you will conduct business in the name of the PTO and never tell the board. The board or the president will not find out until the event occurs, when the coordinating person needs help, or if the event is a flop. Then it becomes a PTO event.
I do believe that if you talk to the principal and discuss your problems, inform the principal of your possible intent to resign you might get some of your problems resolved. Just be prepared that if you cannot get help from the principal, to go through with the resignation from the board. You can still help the school, and you won’t be stepping on anyone toes.
I know this sounds rough, but you as the PTO president needs the principal in your corner. I the principal is not on your side, you will never be able to effectively run the PTO.
I have felt your pain in the past and don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but you are going to have to take control. First though I would talk to the principal and find out what is planned and who is doing the planning. Find out why this "Main" person is conducting PTO business without board approval. In one of my cases the principal was conducting his own fund raiser that had nothing to do with the PTO. This all could be a communications breakdown between the other board members, the principal and yourself.
If the principal is of no help, then you are going to have to take matters into your own hands. You WILL upset one or more persons, but if you feel that intervention is best for the school and the PTO then it must be done. You are on the bank account and therefore can inform the bank that no checks without 2 signatures are to be paid. You can request bank records any time, and can find out what has been going on financially without your knowledge.
A PTO that is small is the hardest to manage. People thinking that they are “helping†you will conduct business in the name of the PTO and never tell the board. The board or the president will not find out until the event occurs, when the coordinating person needs help, or if the event is a flop. Then it becomes a PTO event.
I do believe that if you talk to the principal and discuss your problems, inform the principal of your possible intent to resign you might get some of your problems resolved. Just be prepared that if you cannot get help from the principal, to go through with the resignation from the board. You can still help the school, and you won’t be stepping on anyone toes.
I know this sounds rough, but you as the PTO president needs the principal in your corner. I the principal is not on your side, you will never be able to effectively run the PTO.
Hi, I hope some of you can help me or tell me if I am over-reacting. I am the President of our new PTO and have done our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and are working on Tax Exemption. I try to be very involved in the PTO and set meetings just about every month and send newsletters and head fundraisers, etc.
My problem is that with things like fundraisers and family movie nights...there are two members (one mainly), both are teachers and one is treasurer, who do things/make decisions for the PTO and even set up fundraisers on their own without even telling me what is going on and doesn't even tell the others. It is like they come up with ideas (which are good), but do things on their own with no decisions being made by the PTO, its officers or even the board of directors. For example: In our August meeting, we had discussed doing a possible movie night. Nothing was decided upon regarding this matter. Two days later when I went to pick up my kids, I saw a sign on the door of the school stating that we were having movie night in two days. The theater took care of everything and we didn't have to do anything, but they didn't even have the courtesy to call me and let me know of the decision.
Another example of the things that are going on: We were supposed to have a meeting tonight to discuss an upcoming fundraiser set for later this month. When I arrived at the meeting, NO ONE was there except the secretary. So I called the two persons (who had come up with this fundraiser to begin with). I never got hold of the "main" person and the other said she wasn't coming but all details were already taken care of (by the two persons). I had even talked to both of them yesterday and neither offered to mention this to me.
One final example that is bothering me alot: The "main" person is also our treasurer (who claims no parent can be treasurer because a treasurer has to be a teacher even though we have nothing saying that except for her statement that the principal said it...the principal isn't even a member of the PTO). Both of our names are on the bank account, but she absolutely insisted that only one person should have to sign the checks (her excuse was that it would inconvience both of us if I had to go to the school all the time to sign checks and if she would have to wait on me.) She acts like I am not even allowed to handle any money (unless a teacher is present), I never know what checks are written or who to, I have never seen the statements or register, I never know where the money goes unless I overhear her talking to another teacher about "materials" she purchased for our school reading program or about purchasing something for the family resource center or librarian (which have never been discussed or decided upon).
I really think these persons are sweet and I even go to church with one of them and really DO NOT want conflict especially since our PTO membership is around 10 persons anyway. And if I lose the only two teachers that are involved, that would be a problem too. But most parents, as well as me, feel like there is no need to have a PTO if only two are doing everything and making all the decisions. Another problem I have is that this "main" person is one of the three members of the Board of Directors (the other two being me and another parent). So when adopting the bylaws, it is hard to put something in there that she does not want to abide by since the other board member will not go against her for fear their child may be treated badly.
What do I do, if anything? I feel like I am no more than just a member and the title President means nothing. And no ideas I come up with goes anywhere because all 8 members go along with "the teachers".
I am really desperate and want to resign. I need help!!!!
