Just like any other subset of our society, there are positive and negative examples within the parent group realm. Just because we hear about some of the negatives here absolutely does not mean parent groups are failing. On the contrary, I'd say they are thriving. And the very fact that there's a place like this for folks to come to for help shows me that the larger parent group community is wildly successful and more than willing and able to help those who ask for it so that we can all succeed. I mean look at CottonwoodPTC. She jumped right in, pulled her group up off the ground and turned it into a wonderful example of how a parent group can function. Now she's here being a positive voice for those who are trying to turn their own groups around. Way to go Cottonwood!

Wigwag - you can turn your group around. Perhaps it is in violation of your bylaws for the asst to 'fire' the president. If that is the primary concern, then find out for sure if it's allowed or not. Why would a president who's run the group into the ground fight so hard to retain her spot? Who wins? If the asst is wrong to act this way then rally the rest of your members and ask (demand) that the president shape up or step
down. As an officer she must act in the best interests of the group, follow bylaws, behave responsibly. If she isn't doing that then the voting members have a right to call her on it and demand some sort of action on her part.

There's just a lot in common with so many schools. The other thread also talked about a PTSO not allowing their records to be distributed. What has happened with our system? It's no wonder people don't want to get involved. There are too many difficult people. No one trusts the school district and now it seems that the PTO's and PTA's are failing too. How sad.

What does your Bylaws state regarding all of this? Depending on the wording the Vice Principal can't do a thing in regards to firing an Executive Board member. If you are a 501c then you are independant and not under the control of the school, just working for the betterment of the school. Sure things that you do need to be approved by the school, but as far as firing and then replacing with people that the Principal or Vice Principal wants? I would say that that is not allowed and that your current President may actually have cause to sue, again, depending on the wording of your bylaws.

-PresidentJim

WigWag;127147 wrote: Anyone going through something like this?

This sounds pretty much like what happened at my school last year. Our school's PTC was in shambles. Board members quitting, cohorting, or not doing anything (treasurer). Our ex-president, bless her heart, wound up resigning and no one wanted to take over the role as president. I had just joined the PTC two months prior, but because I used to teach and had known the principal on a professional level for years she asked me if i would consider helping out and take over the president vacant position.
Our bylaws allowed for this, and so i took office about a year and a half ago. Now I'm nowhere near a confrontational person, i can be very timid, but i called out the Treasurer during a meeting when she tried to pass off the previous month's Treasurer's Report as the current month (she basically changed the name of the month on top of the report). She knew she was busted, and quit the next day. Her record keeping was horrible... actually non-existent.
Now because the PTC was in shambles for a year or two, there was no one in the group. When I took office there was just me, the VP, and the secretary. The VP wound up resigning a month later due to health issues.
So here i was, a newbie in office, with no board members and no membership. Well, i was able to hand pick a new board, especially an awesome Treasurer who was able to clean up the books. In just over a year's time I've gone from meetings with no attendance, to meetings with 15-20 people.
What I did was to make things fun. Our old board did nothing but fundraisers... seriously! I instilled monthly family night events, a spring festival (on just 3 months preparation) and have seen the interest level in our group skyrocket.
Sometimes starting anew is the best thing you can do. I am lucky to have a wonderful supporting cast, and I make sure i let them know that constantly. It may take some hard-work.. no, not may, it WILL take some hard work and dedication. I've totally changed the way the parents at our school think about our group. The family nights are huge, and a great way to tap into the parents for volunteers.
Oh, and another big thing I was able to do is to increase teacher involvement. There was only one (teacher rep) when i took over, now I have 5 teachers in my group, with the others in the school willing to help.
Bottom line... keep your chin up. Sounds like you see the problem, and are willing to fix it. Get a solid foundation, and the rest will follow.

Yes, I personally am not a member of our PTO because of the kaos in it.
The president is leaving and the vp has taken over. She is a mess herself I personally think that she does not have the proper organization tools naturally to do the job nor is she willing to listen to suggestions made.They have only 2 general meetings per year and they are sceduled for 9Am when not many are able to attend. Therefore parent involvement is minimal. Board members are unhappy but go along with whatever. We have a new principal and he has been left to clean up the mess. But he can only do so much. I've looked at the bylaws and they are breaking over 4 ammendments. They don't even vote every year not even every 2. Any ideas!!! Please!!!!

what on earth would the pres sue for? lost income????? its a volunteer post, isnt it? the pres would spend $$$ energy and time to sue, for what? a pay-less job no one supports them in any longer? what are they fighting for? thier title??? obviously all rhetorical questions.

many bylaws have clauses in them for voteing out of officers, if the majority voters so decide. if yours does, use it.
then if the rules have been followed, there should be no hard feelings.
and if your bylaws have no such rules for voting out poorly performing officers, seems weird that the principal doenst sit down face to face with the person, explain their reasoning, and ask for a resignation, so everyone 'wins' and there is no implosion or futher eroding of the school spirit and general volunteerism.
but THAT takes a leader with good people management skills, and hopefully you have one of those in your assitant or whoeverse job it is to liaise with the pto. GOOD LUCK.