One thing I'll be doing tonight at our parent group meeting is to talk about successorship - -and to say that no one should hold any position for more than 2 years. Maybe that's a practice you should try to move your board towards. People can move into differnet roles, but things always stagnate when the same person has been doing the same job for years. When there's rotation, each new person improves on something from the past and, at the same time, has weakessees of her own that set up the next new person for success in a different way.
In truth I'm doing it in past because one woman has held one job for 6 years, and I could say all the things about her that you're saying about your president. I know that she will be great, though, when she find a new way to contribute, since she's enthusiastic and energetic. I hope that making the point broadly (no one should stay more than 2 years) will avoid people thinking I'm singling anyone out. In a perfect world, I would have a great job to direct her towards, but I haven't figured that one out yet.
Good Answer mom...cause honestly--it is tough ont he prez to have resources committed without by in. I also don't accept anything until I've contacted my board and allowed them time to comment. To me I have no ultimate decision making power. This is a board of folks of which I am honored to preside. While there are decisions at times that I disagree with personally, I don't weigh my aspect any heavier than others. Now - having said that...honestly it is tough at times since I do put in a tremendous amount of hours...but truly so does my treasurer and so do some of our volunteers...so I accept this position is one of small recognition...and sometimes they are so small they smile at me in the hallway!
Thanks for your response, I just would like to explain a little further that the President knew about the participation. I emailed and phoned her as well as all the other officers regarding the event. To be quite blunt, the reason that she and the V.P. were opposed is ,in their own words, "We will not make money, only be spending it" which is why I set out for donations. In my opinion, we are not only a money making organization...we need to be spending the funds raised putting back into the community and students. I also thought that it would be great P.R. to help with this event. Especially with the contraversy of the prior Treasurer stealing $25,000. The community needed to know that we DO support our children. We are a very small district with only 450 student total in the entire elementary school. So, I feel that I did include the President as much as possible. I invited the teacher in charge of the event to the general meeting so that he could explain what he would like from us, but the President met with him privately and told him it was doable, after giving me resistance for suggesting it. I almost feel petty bringing these things to light, but I guess it is better bouncing these thoughts and feelings against strangers rather than the PTO membership I am affiliated with. That would surely look like I am gossiping. I just needed to vent, and I think my husband has heard enough. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]
pm3, while I agree with you on 99% of what you're upset about, I felt I needed to respond to one thing. In your last post you mentioned that you took participation in an event as a PTO representative without prior knowledge or consent from the president. While I completely understand your frustration with her actions up to that point, please let me encourage you to do just what has been pointed out to you: be overly kind. As a president of a PTO myself, this has happened to me. Activities were planned and consent given for the PTO do/sponsor or otherwise participate in things around the school without my knowledge or approval. While I try to foster a team atmosphere it was very upsetting to me to find out that the group I am supposed to be organizing and leading was participating in something I knew absolutely nothing about. It was very upsetting, it really made me look stupid and I certainly didn't appreciate it. After talking it over with the secretary it's all been worked out. Again while I truly appreciate your point of view, understand that the president is still the president and some sort of consideration, even just an "oh by the way I'm doing this" is courtesy.
