me_n_rory;132599 wrote: Hey Everybody, thanks for your great advice.

I don't want to be known as the "mean to old ladies person" . We have always tried to keep her involved, get her to the functions, get her ideas on what to do. But the answer was always no. It has been reacted to with anger and negativity.

I'll be the mean one, "Kick her to the curb, dead weight is best let go. Lest it drag you to the bottom of the ocean."
~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus an Equal Opportunity Offender (not just old ladies)

Hey Everybody, thanks for your great advice.

I want to say that there is not one of us that thought that money is being taken, that thought never crossed our minds at all.

Also as for elections....aaahhhh no. Not because it hasn't been tried, but because when it was NO ONE wanted to do it. As I said parental apathy is very very very high! That is how we came on board, no one else was interested. It was sort of a "well, someone has to do it", so here we are. We are hoping that we can turn things around enough at the school where the PTO will be positivley viewed by others and we can run elections and parents will jump at the chance to take the reigns, because as much as we are enjoying it I can see that the burnout can be high and I don't want to keep doing it because I feel I have to because it would be a burden, and that would not be a good thing for the school at all. (or our sanity!)

We have tried to discuss this in a very positive way with our treasurer, knowing it would be very hard for her to hear. We are not insenstive to her feeling on this at all. She has done a huge service for the school for many years and we acknowledge it and deeply appreciate it. Change is hard for many people. We have not approached this lightly at all, it has not been done with any malice. We have tried to apporach her with compassion. So heres the hard part to say because I don't want to be known as the "mean to old ladies person" . We have always tried to keep her involved, get her to the functions, get her ideas on what to do. But the answer was always no. It has been reacted to with anger and negativity. I'm a big girl and understand her anger, and I don't take it personally. I know its not about us, its the letting go thats hard. But we have to take this in hand, we have to move forward in a way that we feel is best for the school, and while the way the it was run in the past may have been cohesive for how she wanted things run, that is no longer the case.
oh...this kind of blows!! Thanks for letting me vent....you guys are wonderful!

it seems if the checkbook isn't balancing she should be responsible as long as all receipts, deposits and transactiosn were turned into her.When I first read this I was thinking this poor lady wants to give it up but doesn't know how to say it, maybe after all these years she is tired and the fact that she isn't showing up sends me that message.
I would make this personal, thank her in public for all she has done, kindly mention that she must be tired...I don't get the feeling she has done anything like stolen money, I think she is on over her head???

You can't 'oust' her through elections? Could be a non-confrontational option to look at.
I'd also have a third party conduct an audit on the books.

I agree with Crew Chief and also would like to add that depending on how you leave this with her, it may determine how the OLD president will react. If they are friends and it seems that the Old President is harboring some negative feelings, it may help to stiffle her rumor mill as well if this was handled all in a positive & honorable way.

Wow, this is definitely a "kid gloves" kind of situation. It's clear from your other posts that you and your new team members are working very hard to turn things around at your school. You're working on bylaws and solid checks and balances, encouraging parents to become more involved and building a positive relationship with the staff. Admirable goals to be sure. Congratulations for all of the progress you've made so far!

Your current treasurer sounds like a real gem. That she's hung in there this long is a testament to her commitment to the community. She probably feels a great deal of ownership and is hurt to be less involved this year. I imagine she's taking it personally even though I'm sure you don't intend it to be that way.

I would recommend that you include her in the transition process over the summer. Be honest with her like you were here in your post. Invite her to lunch and explain just how the year went, the challenges you faced (and overcame) and how terrific it would be if she helped you with the last big hurdle of getting the financial controls in place. If she sees that the 'system' is evolving and she is graciously included in developing it, she's likely to be your biggest asset during the process and then step down with relief and a positive attitude rather than hurt and negativity.