This is precisely why we have Obama as president. "Vote for the unknown, new guy". Uninformed and young voters with no knowledge of how the economy works nor a sense of need for national security. A few years of experience makes a world of difference.
**not get nominated for the next year, and feel like you're getting bashed down from parents that only come to one or two meetings then come in the last couple and get nominated for the board?**
This is an excellent example of why voting on certain types of topics should be reserved for just board members rather than the entire membership group.
Unless the PTO's by-laws tie the general membership's voting privileges to the member satisfying criteria such as presence at "x" number of PTO meetings, volunteering "x" number of hours through-out the year, etc., the members can wreak havoc when allowing to have a vote simply due to their lack of experience/information about PTO activities.
Dear Active:
Sounds like it might be time to review your accomplishments. Maybe write "State of the PTO" address for the next newsletter, or for the school newsletter and talk about all the things you have been able to accomplish. I think that is a very renewing thing to do and then take a moment when you get a chance to consider all of the things you and your board have done with/for the children. You have seen those critters and their spirit in a special way because of your dedication to the group. No one can take that away from you and that ought to be a point of pride the next time you get together with your group.
Sometimes we forget to pause and give a big Hoorah to ourselves. If this type of work were easy, anyone could do it. But it's not and it takes more than talk to get things accomplished. Let those naysayers have their piece. Consider their comments for whatever good suggestions they may have in between the "I feel guilty I don't do more so I'll just sharpshoot" packaging of their messages.
Good news is talk doesn't do anything but create a breeze. I recently presented a seminar on communicating and started by saying way too many people learn how to talk. Sounds like your school has their fair share.
Now shake it off and finish this year with pride. Don't give anyone the power to take away your last couple of months. High five a kid in the hallways. That always worked for me!!!!
Hang in there, finish out your year and do it with style. Don't let the bunch of complainers get you down, I have written it here many times, Once a complainer, always a complainer. I do find that parents just need to "get it out" but won't step up to the plate. We're almost at the end, don't quit now, remember who you are doing this for!
I wouldn't mind a copy of the election ballot sheet either. We just had our nominations today and just do ours verbally or if you can't be at the meeting, you can submit in writing.
Is it normal to feel like you've worked hard to accomplish things all year long, not get nominated for the next year, and feel like you're getting bashed down from parents that only come to one or two meetings then come in the last couple and get nominated for the board? I'm feeling like that right now. I'm real frustrated with what some parents have said and am thinking if you think you can do better, then step up and volunteer. Then some things that were said today, like doing a pep rally before a fundraiser, we tried to do that but our principal didn't want to do that, it takes away from too much class room time..., making sure more than one school in the district isn't doing the same fundraiser, I called the other Elementary to make sure and they weren't, but complaints that sports and other schools were doing the same ones at the same time. I know it will be a feeling of relief in the end, but I just don't want to fulfill my duty for the rest of the year. It's not going to be good enough anyway.
If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts to this, anything will help at this point. Thanks again for the support and help:)
Then some things that were said today, like doing a pep rally before a fundraiser, we tried to do that but our principal didn't want to do that, it takes away from too much class room time..., making sure more than one school in the district isn't doing the same fundraiser, I called the other Elementary to make sure and they weren't, but complaints that sports and other schools were doing the same ones at the same time. I know it will be a feeling of relief in the end, but I just don't want to fulfill my duty for the rest of the year. It's not going to be good enough anyway.
