You said that in one section that any active member has the right to vote and run for office - and those members are very broad. You don't even seem to need a connection to the school in order to vote, which I find worrying. I would suggest you look at amending that section. Suppose a large number of neighbors show up and vote to hold a neighborhood block BBQ with all your funds - if enough show up, could they vote that way?
Perhaps there isn't a conflict - you state that only parents and guardians may hold office - so perhaps they can run but just not hold the office they run for. This really needs to be cleared up as well - your chair can't just say that you're not going to amend the bylaws (was there an actual vote of the membership?)
Also, is the grandparent there as a grandparent, or as a guardian of the child?
I've been president 3 years now- going on 4 - the position has been offered up but no one else want it-- I think it commendable that this grandparent number #1 is so involved in their grandchild's school and their education and #2 wants to step up and help even further support the school-- shame in this president for taking away this great opportunity.
I agree with the other posts-- mention Robert's Rule-- and have a by-laws review and amendment process-- look at your by-laws and see what is written about by-laws changes. Good luck!
Its hard finding parents and members of the community who are willing to take on president. I was thrown into the position in March and I am now 9 months pregnant leading up to the last BIG EVENT of the year. I am still here due to I made a commitment. I will be here next year, however NO ONE wanted to run for board.
If she is committed then more power to her.
Roberts Rule of order is to maintain decorum. You are finding more grandparents are the actual Guardians, she is most likely the caregiver as well possibly before and after school. I see no problem in allowing her to be elected into the position.
If your PTO is governed by Robert's Rules, then your president has made a mistake. It is not within the president's power to interpret the bylaws; that power lies with the membership. Under Robert's Rules, the membership must vote on how to resolve the conflict. If I were you, I would raise this as a point of order at the next meeting, and ask for a vote on interpreting the conflict.
Then, following the procedures outlined in your bylaws, I would move to amend the bylaws promptly to reflect the membership's interpretation. The president does not have the power to prevent this, though he or she may certainly vote for or against any proposed change.
As to your other questions: It's probably unusual to have a grandparent serving as an officer, but personally I don't see any downside at all; any grandparent committed enough to want the job is committed enough for me, and some historical perspective can be very valuable.
My school recently had a very involved and active Grandparent willing to be nominated for PTO President. She was the only person who volunteered for the position. Our by-laws state in one section that any active member has the right to vote and run for office and defines an active member as: present parents and teachers, as well as future parents, members of the community and all other interested and concerned parties are welcome to participate in the PTO. But in another section it states only parents and guardians may hold office. Our PTO President has chosen to follow the section that disqualifies the Grandparent and also voted not to amend the by-laws.
Would it be unusual for a Grandparent to serve on a PTO board? As President? Does anyone see a downside to it? How would other PTO's handle conflicting sections in by-laws? Would anyone have advice on dealing with the current PTO President on the issue? Thanks for any help and advice.
This really needs to be cleared up as well - your chair can't just say that you're not going to amend the bylaws (was there an actual vote of the membership?)