Hey KMAMom...

I could have used your posse!!!
We just "retired" our super controling, listen to no one, do everything herself, no boardmembers returned for a second year for "personal reasons" president.

I spent this year helping however I could, to learn as much as I could, asking as many questions as I could and taking notes, and then made sure there were elections, and ran, and won.

In just a few days I have been overwhelmed with volunteers asking to help, hearing the stories of "I offered to help but no one called?"
I think I will spend my summer organizing everyone to do something, and if I do it well, I won't have to do alot during the school year.

Any questions you have, we are all here to help and share.

Good luck
Ange

Dear Ann Moohan,
I have a child in an international school right across the border from you! I come from a strong PTA background and am contantly amazed that there is so little parent involvement. This school (I'd say OUR school but it isn't) works at keeping parents isolated so no one compares notes. If anyone (especially Americans) complains, then the school funding from US companies and consulates will dry up so they treat us like mushrooms -kept in the dark and fed --manure. We have a PTO of sorts. It just fundraises and has a "morning coffee" twice a year.
It's really hard to be kept at arm's length when your child's education and socialization is at stake.

Hi,
I am new to this site and think its great to have such discourse. I am currently living in Germany and my kids go to a international school with an active PTO. However, I am concerned that alot of time is spent on social activities and I cannot see much being done to improve communication between the general parent population and the school. Some parents get involved as parent reps (have birthday cards signed, etc nothing serious) or help with craft days etc but usually these posts are selected by the teacher and there is little transparency in how its all done. I have brought up the issue of having clearer linkages between parents and the school and parents having a platform to voice concerns rather than simply gossip and do nothing. My comments were not taken well and I guess I will be ear marked as a trouble maker as our PTO is a clique. The PTO complains that few want to get involved but the question they should ask is why? Its because you are made to feel that you cannot say anything negative and have little say anyhow. How should those of us who are unsatisfied move on. Our PTO is in power for the next 2 years.
Thanks so much

Originally posted by <Annie>:
We have a PTA leader who INSISTS on having everything done HER way or the highway. I have had people come tell me they will help ME - but NOT if she's involved. Our school is suffering because of it.

We have room parents - she keeps the list and didn't call ANYONE all year long!!!! So she went and did all the room parent stuff for our monthly snack days and then complains because no one will help her.

I was in charge of the carnival committee and she went behind me and set up a whole new committee and so I just gave up on that.

I want so badly to be involved, but like so many others already have, I am ready to quit.

Not to sound conceited, but I've been really good at getting people to help. But they get turned off and practically run screaming in the other direction...

I'm just frustrated. Talking to her wouldn't help. We have a very very small school, so I'm pretty much stuck. Grrrr.

And worst of all, her DD is in ballet with my DD and she's taking over everything there too.

Just had to get that off my chest and ask what you guys do in that situation. I'm not a confrontational person and I don't want to quit working for my DD's school/dance... but this woman is a control freak and squeezing the volunteering life out of me!

Thanks for listening.

Okay kmamom! We can give the posse the first shot but I get to go with ya! (gotta wear my face bandana so as not to be recognised and of course, my weapon of choice- duct tape and a whip!) [img]smile.gif[/img]
I got to tell you, I would love to be that State person that gets to go to your elections meeting. I can't stand people like that (as many know) they don't give PTA a very good name and that pisses me off!

Thank you all! That was the direction I was thining we should go. I guess thru all of this, I have definately become more informed about the whole process. I certainly won't sit on the sidelines again.

Thanks KMAMOM, you made my day!!!!!

Michelle G.

Oh Michelle--you're no fun! At least let the posse have a go at her first!