Hi,
I hope that things are working out for all. I was reading the posts and it is very interesting to see everyones different views. I am sure that we have attended a meeting or two in our lives whether PTO or a job, where someone is driving you nuts and making more tension and work. It makes the meeting very stressful and unenjoyable. As a PTO and a volunteer, you wonder why do you need to be in that situation. You don't want 5 to leave or be upset because of 1. In a perfect world we would all be happy but we know that is not realistic and that as a school you meet lots of different personalities. I am happy that she is stirring up people to your meetings but I hope that she is not alinating the vital ones. I think that you might need to pause and reevaluate a way to include her (as much as you may not want to because I wouldn't too either!) and to handle this in a calm, diplomatic fashion. It sounds like she might need gentle, firm guidance because she evidently has a problem seeing what she is doing to others and how much she is annoying them. Take a new fresh approach and try and see how you can make things smoother. Your job won't be easy but I think you will feel better looking for a solution versus a battle everytime you need to interact with her. By working with her you will also be setting a good example for your children because I am sure they hear more than we think. I sincerely wish you good luck and please keep us posted don't give up!-Jan
As a past President, I know how hard it is to please everyone BUT one thing that I learned is that EVERYONE who has joined the PTO has a right to know where every penny has gone. If your books are open, what is the big deal about her questions?
Take this time to get to know her and work with her on how you like things done and on some of the rules and procedures. She was obviously enthusiastic about volunteering, and maybe she will stay that way after all this. If you make people feel needed and apprecaited it makes it a lot easier on everyone. She went on the defensive because she felt rejected. And haven't we all been there before?
Since our meeting on Friday, everything has changed. We decided to go about business as usual and the woman decided to work with us in following the by laws and doing what is best for the children. We explained to her that we will be having elections in April and we would love to have her nomination for next years board, and in the meantime we would love her to volunteer and help us.
The principle never appointed her the position that is just what the woman wanted us to believe.
Funny how so many posts ask how to increase parent involvement and attendance, and when for once someone brings them along, folks seem to focus on HOW they achieved the attendance increase....oh well. That person did nothing harmful by making calls. And to give a label from the getgo, well that says alot. How about using that energy funneling it in proper ways, and getting folks to keep attending meetings? Whats wrong with that? Volunteers are few and far between, we need each and every one. Everyone is different there will always be personalities you dont like. And remember, many KIDS arent our cuppa tea either, but they are there in the class interacting and part of the school community. Life is a patchwork of persoanlities and tolerance is a good thing to have in life if youre gonna get along and a good thing to teach kids too. Find a soliution that makes eveyone happy, would be the best way for the head of school to go. Like the win win scenario. Its not about right or wrong or fault finidng or accusations of any sort, its about finding the right way to channel the persons good intenetions, energy, and time, for the benefit of the kids and school.
