well, I am so glad I posted my gripe, I now know that I am not alone in my thinking!!! At our last "executive" meeting, the President actually challenged me to run saying that if I thought I could do a better job, then I should run for the position next year. I have been told that she may not hand things over to me smoothly because she does not like me, but I feel that if not, then the organization would be better off starting fresh anyway. She has turned many parents off by her attitude and there would be many more volunteers if she was not dictating. Just recently, the Secretary has resigned her position because she had enough of the belittling and undermining behavior. For instance, I set out to get donations for prizes for a costume judging contest at a recent community night that the school held to benefit "Relay for Life" and a "Memory Garden" for students that have recently lost there life while still in school. The student council at the Middle and High School organized the event but wanted community involvement. I had contacted the faculty member in charge and invited him to a general meeting to talk about what the PTO could do to help and he wanted us to sponser the costume judging. Instead of embracing the idea of helping the community and children, I met with resistance from the Pres. and V.P. because I "went over their heads" speaking with the faculty member. They said EVERYTHING regarding PTO must go through them first, then picked at my donation letter. But in the end it was worth it because the kids had a great time and the leader of the event graciously thanked me and genuinely appreciated the effort we put forth. It is just frustrating sometimes putting up with the attitude. If nothing else, I have learned how NOT to treat others in an organization.

I agree with dlf. If I were you, I would run for President. It sounds like the group at your school needs a new captain at the helm.

It really irritates me when people forget that we are all volunteers. Power tripping and rudeness shouldn't even be in the equation. I am the PTO President at my son's school, and I would never speak rudely to anyone or abuse my "power" in any way. At our school, we all work as a unit to get things done. We are all equal.

It's a shame that the treasurer would steal money from the school like that. In the end, the children are the ones who suffer when things like this happen. Some people have no morals.

Any bylaws or written rules that would allow you to challenge the way things are running? Frankly the entire board has culpability for the treasurer side of things since they should have all expected a laydown routinely of the way things are being accounted for. It is a shame when a person holds on to the position of President and then corrupts the position to a point where others are unable to provide positive engeries. Her job is to preside. When she goes beyond those limits her board is right to stand up and ask for a refocusing of the organization. I have seen organizations over time self destruct because one position or face and name is the know all end all element of the group. Just isn't healthy. If you are on the board and hold a position you have the right and obligation to be a part of the discussions/proceedings. If things are being done outside of the routine meetings, I would ask that something be added to the next general membership meeting to discuss how business ought to run. Much of the integrity of the group however, does rest on the integrity of the President. Start now jotting down notes on decisions made without you, abnormalities in parlimentary procedure and be able to state clearly what your concerns/issues are to the general membership. It is hard to not be emotional about this, but certainly the 25k issue should have been presented to the general membership for discussion with options. Word will get out and if the ability to reimburse informally is fine with the general membership so be it. But if not then there is only disaster ahead. Also, as you move to the other side of the hill, consider running for President next year with a platform of clear rules and plans to encorporate everyones thoughts vice the strong arming of one.
It would only take a volunteer raising their voice at me once for me to immeditely stand up and be counted as something other than an indian. Many a Chief has found themselves alone at the cowboys dance when they abused their authority. If you can talk to her about your concerns one on one that would be helpful, but it sounds like you've attempted that.
I hope that by bringing some of the issues to the general membership (even if you have to request an out of cycle meeting) that you'll be able to reposition the train back onto the track so that you can all make it to the trainstation. The way it sounds now--you're heading for a trainwreck. dlf

I am a new officer this year to our PTO. I have found it very trying to work together with the current board members. The president has been in this position for 5-6 years and is very narrow minded when it comes to new ideas. It seems that she feels threratened by any new ideas brought to her. She is also of the mindset that the PTO members are the "indians" and she is the "chief" These were her own words. I have witnessed on more than one occasion her raise her voice at other officers, including me, for disagreeing with her, or trying to do something to benefit the PTO and children that she was not in favor of. We have never had a vote for anything since I have been on the board. Also, last year during the election time, it was uncovered that the prior treasurer had stolen over $25,000 and chrges were never pressed against her because she agreed to pay it back. I am of the thought that the president is also partly responsible for this because she should have been more hands on with the finances. I now feel that I have been left out of many of the discussions and meetings because I voiced my feelings that the board meeting should not be held at her house anymore because she has had these outbursts. I feel that I am trying to be pushed out, when all I want is to do whatever I can to help make my kids and the other students' school experience the best it can be. I would appreciate any advice or feedback.