It seems like every PTO has one or two 'show outs' in their bunch. I would suggest @ your next PTO meeting, if the 'difficult volunteers' are present, I would casually address the Whole Group( U don't want to "poke the bear"), & just say that your PTO has a respectful image & reputation you would like to portray & maintain @ school events. Also, just let everyone know it would be in the PTO's best interest not to draw any negative attention to your group. Afterall, our purpose is to be POSITIVE ROLE MODELS for our students & the best way to do that is lead by example. & if that doesn't work then the PTO President needs to pull out your PTO BYLAWS(should cover member code of conduct)& have a 1 on 1 w/ that person. Hope everything works out for you!!

We've figured out that you pick jobs that the person in question can do without being a problem. For example if the person is not good with kids, give them something behind the scenes.

We have a few moms that can cause a big issue when they work with us. We just have her come and give her something meaningless to do (which nevergets done) and she is happy with it.

Hope you guys find an answer.

I am with you on this....Of all the things PTO officers have to deal with, this has been the hardest thing for me to deal with personally . I am a firm believer that anybody that has a child attending the school has a RIGHT to participate in the PTO and it's events. But, unfortunately, I have learned that just because they have the right, doesn't mean they need to be making decisions or even participating. Took me a while to realize that I wasn't being a bad person because I felt that way, instead I felt that way because of THEIR behavior or even because they made it clear their only concern/goal was to have things work for what was best for their child and couldn't care less about other children or the school as a whole. I still find myself with my mouth hanging wide open at how some people think. LOL I still do not know the best way to handle this situation. I hope somebody has some good suggestions or guidelines they can share.

Even when a school is begging for volunteers, there are times when the PTO would be better off doing without than having certain people volunteer.

Has your PTO had to deal with less than competent or outright destructive volunteers?

How have you discouraged them from participating in future volunteer activities?