Thank you so much for the input!! We use an agenda, but the treasurer seems to always try and bypass EVERYTHING!!
I love some of the ideas, and hope to have better meetings soon thanks to you! [img]redface.gif[/img] )

Even though our bylaws state we should use Roberts Rules at our meetings, we never have. This is mostly because we have very informal meetings, giving the basics of our budget, fundraisers, money spent, etc. We usually have an attendance of 200 people or more, and the majority wouldn't even know what Roberts Rules are. We don't get into too much business, as everything is detailed on our PTO Bulletin Board, as well as our monthly newsletter. Most parents come to the meeting because a certain grade level performs after the PTO update, so we get the parents of that particular grade attending the meeting. But we don't care, as long as they come at some point. In the two years I have been PTO President, NOT ONE parent has ever asked a question re PTO, fundraising, etc. Most just want to feel "secure" their PTO Board is doing their jobs and to get on with the grade level show.

Our monthly Board Meetings are much more structured with minutes and agendas. I usually lead the meeting and timekeep to ensure we stick to the agenda. However, we haven't seen the need to apply Roberts Rules formally since we get lots done without it. There may come a time when the next President decides otherwise. Good luck...

We probably go for a "happy medium" in our group. We have an agenda for every meeting and follow basic parlimentary procedures when it comes to voting. As President, I run the meetings, and we DO stick to the agenda. However, we don't have what I would call a "strict" meeting. It's fairly casual, people feel free to make comments and chime in. We adjust the agenda if someone has a pressing time constraint and needs to be moved up to the top. It's all pretty friendly, but I definitely think the meetings move more smoothly and more gets accomplished with everyone agreeing on the process. Thus, I think an agenda and a fair degree of "proper procedure" are preferrable.

I am a fairly new PTO president, and have been butting heads with the treasurer (who is friends with the past pres) We would like the meetings to be run a little more formally and organized yet the treasurer thinks it is not a good idea. For the past few years things have been a bit unorganized and we would like to let the parents have input as to how $$ is spent, etc. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!