That's something that bothers me, too--teachers who won't help us but are the first in line when the money's being handed out. I did teacher surveys for the first time this year, in part to show them that we care about their ideas and opinions, and to find out what those ideas and opinions are, and one teacher draw a great big dollar sign under the question "What would you like to see PTO do this year?" Nice. I'm keeping track of who puts time in this year, and I will do everything I can to help those teachers out. I realize teachers have outside lives, but there are little ways they can help out too: their class basket, baking cakes for the cakewalk, etc.

Originally posted by kmamom:


I opened up my big mouth at our last meeting and -GASP- aired a contradictory opinion on something, and boy, have I been the topic of gossip circles these past two weeks! AARGH - it's so frustrating! I'm the jerk for asking questions but they're not jerks for doing things inappropriately in the first place. They're p!ssed at me because I asked a question about money management which they didn't understand. Nothing to do with embezzling or anything like that - more of a, "Well, if you do X, you have money left over--where does it then go?" question. Naturally they flipped - guilty conscious because they hadn't thought of it? -and took offense to the question.

We have this at our school over the school teacher run Jog-a-thon, the same thing happened and Bam accusations and gossip have hit the rumor mill 'cuz our PTA president brought it up.

The teachers want money and supplies but only 1 is an actual PTA member.
My kids school is great but the last 3 weeks, Ive had to cotrol my self and not go smacking people around.

Just another thought, kmamom, because I'm a subversive at heart (sometimes, anyway ). If the number of new parents is ample, well, you all could slowly (and sweetly, of course!) start taking over the events that you do run, and then start introducing new events.

Start an independent message board! Not to vent about the status quo, but to bring up and discuss new ideas, and build inclusiveness and community and solidarity. State up front the behavior rules, so if anyone tries to be disruptive you can rightfully ban them (delete their posts, etc.)

It may be slow going, but it could work!

Believe me--I'm with you guys a 100% about the teachers. That's one of the problems! Our school has two groups--a PTA and my gang (we're raising money for a playground). We (the non-PTA) went to the principal earlier this year to discuss some issues, and we brought up that there's a serious issue with morale, both student and teacher. Our princpal reacted with a comment about feeling, "like [she's] just been punched in the chest." Of course our PTA totally agrees with her--how DARE we suggest there's a problem?!

Both our PTA and non-PTA group has struggled to get the teachers on board, but excepting a couple they don't bother to give us the time of day. Hey--it's not in their contract, and our principal has made it crystal clear that she can't make the teacers do anything they don't want to do. It's an absolute bummer, especially when the other schools in our town have such involved staff.

I agree with Pam. The only way we have enough say so to go against spending or supporting activities that the principal suggests, is getting the teachers to back us. Funny thing is, they usually do, but don't want to come to a meeting to do it.
I would love to have some new blood at our school and in our group, but can't get anyone to do anything. Sometimes I feel like I'm too busy running the event to beg people to help me.
I guess the grass is always greener.

kmamom, I sympathize with you, and believe your thinking is 100% on the mark. If I had my way, every PTO committee would have to be shaken up a bit every year, and every main committee shaken up a lot, just to get new blood, new ideas, etc.

Since your principal is on the same boat with the alpha females, is there a way to get teachers more vocal? A lot of PTO activities impact the kids directly... what if teachers spoke up and said they'd like to see some changes?