Our Bylaws state that in the February meeting the Nominating committee is to be elected and present the people they found to run at the April meeting where we take the names and nominations from the floor and vote. The only problem we have this year is that our February meeting was last night and only three of us showed up! Only two officers and the Special Ed teacher. The principals didn't even show up! I am ready to tell them that the PTO should cease to exist.
Our by-laws state that we appoint a nominating committee and no one on that committee can be running for election or re-election. It's often a past president and an outgoing board member and a teacher. As board members we know who has been active in the different committees and we definately try to suggest to the nominating committee to look for active second grade parents. That way they're not brand new to the school and still have a few years to go. Our school goes up to 5th grade. A term is two years for all board members with the exception of the treasurer which is three. We have had problems in the past of getting a president and our by-laws state that you must have been a board member for at least a year so that really narrows the field. However, when I was 1st vp last year, it was understood that I would be president this year. That gave me a whole year to watch the president and get used to the idea! That worked very well and I'm hoping to get one of the new board members (2002 - 2003) to be a president elect for next year.
To answer your original inquiry though, the people that are most likely to be nominated are those 6 people that do everything for every event! I think often, people become friends because they see each other over and over at all the school functions. Kathie
I think electing new officers is a universal problem, usually ending up with the problem that you have, people who just want to be able to say they are on the board. It is very difficult to find folks who want to be officers, much less elect them. The president I replaced was president for 4 years because of this problem, as well as the need to have a strong person in the position. I am facing that problem now. If I don't accept another nomination, then the folks who have made their desire to run for the next term will run our PTVO into the ground, so what choice is left? As for your specific problem, I would suggest that you check your bylaws to see if it is acceptable to have CO-Presidents. This gives you a few pluses, mainly the ability to coerce (nasty word isn't it?...lol) somebody in with a best buddy (you sell the position by telling them it is easier to share the load with their best friend). The down side is that you have two people of the same mind in charge. If it were me, in your position, I would work to get something in the bylaws that will enable your membership to vote out persons who do nothing but take the 'glory train'. It is what I am also doing. As for the way we handle nominations themselves: being a PTVO, we do not charge for membership. All parents who are interested are members. Of course that means that there is a 'core' group who does, indeed, do most of the work. That is going to happen no matter what, no matter how many members you have. As we get ready to begin the nominations process, one of the things I'm doing is logging how many hours it has taken me for each project that we have completed this year, along with how many projects I personally worked. A sort of resume if you will. Maybe when you send out the nomination ballots, you could ask that interested parties submit a resume of sorts, and that SHOULD make it a pretty easy choice for your membership. I hope I have given you a useable idea or two. Good Luck!
Elizabeth
Since, I am not registered I couldn't edit.
So here it is. Yes, we do have a nomination committee (that's what I meant by staff and parents serve as well it's usual (2) parents and 1 staff member or vice-versa that do the same beg parents. I agree with mykidsmom, once they see the time it's like no I don't have the time. But we've always pulled through. I feel it's like getting teeth pulled when we ask people.
We were advised by the school board (long story behind it) to have a nomination committee and an election committee. The nomination committee is a group of four, two parents and two staff members find, ask, 'beg' people to run. The election committee is another group of four (last year it was the same four for both committees) to count ballets- mainly oversee the election. Anyway we have always held an election according to the Robrert's Rules of Order and our by-laws. People can be appointed as long as the membership agrees with it but most like the good ol' election to keep it fair. I got flack for some time because the Principal asked me to run and nominated me!
I have already asked the school to put the nominations on the April calendar and have mentioned it in the newsletter. I'm nervous as well as I am really the only officer that can give alot of time to the PTO but also have three (soon four) at home and would like to take some time off from the Board...this may not happen if intrest from other parents.
Many are willing to help just want to know what the job discription is and how much time is needed. I know that's to hardest question to answer...honestly!
In the past we have not had anyone wanting on the board. One woman ran it all and nothing got done. 2 years ago at our April meeting one woman stated "you get pres. and you get vice. and you get treasure and if some one comes they get sec.. No one said anything against it so that was that. Last year the officers stayed the same except the treasure has quit and now the pres and vice are co treasure. This year thr pres is steping out of pto so that leaves one officer to run the show. Our bylaws state that you have to be an active member to hold a office and we only have two other people that fit that. One of those will not hold a office the other does not want people to dislike her so she is not sure if she will hold a office either. My question is with our bylaws in mind do we change them if someone shows intrest in a office.
Sorry not much help. I need help to.
