I've been coming here for quite some time, and have learned alot. Our school also has a small amount of volunteers doing the majority of the work, and alot of nit picking going on between the adults. The "why can't we all get along" theory seems to be prevalent here too. I agree very strongly there are three sides to every story. I have some very good piece of advice for all of us...our children are watching us...none of us is perfect...We are all faced with a choice when you become involved in any group of people with differing views. It is so easy to get caught into the clique battle or the behind the back squabbling and at times very difficult to ignore it move on and concentrate on what the main issue is...our children...There are people out there that you cannot please no matter what you do. Best wishes for a good school year to all and thank you to all of you with such good posts and ideas,

No, she did it because she didn't want people to think she supported not having gay people as leaders. That was her only concern. The president only had to sign saying that we sponsored them. The pricipal signed the sheet that says he is providing a meeting place. Those are two totally different things. The past president from three years ago brought up a by-law that states that we can only sponsor groups that are in the best interest of the children and that have the same belifs as the PTO. She thought that the cub scouts don't. Like I said the principal thought she was off her rocker and sponsored us himself through the school.

Regarding the Cub Scouts and PTO - a couple of years ago, our local Cub Scout pack's charter came up for annual renewal. At that time the PTO had been sponsored this pack for many years. That particular year,however, the PTO president decided to actually read the charter contract she was expected to sign like so many other PTO presidents had done before her. She found that, by acting as sponsor, the PTO was agreeing- in a legal contract-- to conditions it couldn't/wouldn't meet. For example, the charter requires that the sponsor provide a meeting facility - the PTO doesn't own a facility. The contract also requires that the sponsor recruit leaders of the dens/pack and vouch for them. That is inconsistent with the mission of our PTO.

Eventually, the president declined to continue sponsorship, and the school immediately picked it up so the pack could continue to flourish.

Don't automatically assume the president in your PTO acted on a whim or out of spite to "cut Cub Scouts". She may very well have been acting in the PTO's best interest, which is her responsibility as PTO president.

Bravo,Metzymom
I think you said it perfectly.we should notbe so quick to judge when we only know half of the story.Our treasure just quit because somone made a cash withdraw form our account (yes this person has permission and had full reciepts to turn in) to pay for an outstanding bill.But as the Prez I
told her I understood and that was that we know have a new treasure and everything is just fine.
I believe we all need to be alittle more understanding.

Before everyone gets their panties in a bunch, let's remember something. We hear one side of someone's story. There was a post not so long ago where we took up for a poster and in the end, we backed the wrong side, or so it seemed. No PTO/PTA is all bad. No one group is impossible for everyone to get along with. Try to remember that there are 3 'sides' to every story, yours, theirs, and the truth ~ which is probably somewhere inbetween. It is very easy to jump on the band wagon and curse a group we know nothing about. Imagine how our advice must look to what could quite possibly be a current prez doing the best she knows how, especially in a controversial situation. Some of the advice we are giving is just that, ADVICE. But I am beginning to see a trend towards more than just advice, leaning more to confrontations and/or more a 'better than thou' attitude. Each of us swears to be in it for the right reason. I think most of us are. Let's remember that it is entirely possible that the persons currently serving as prez's (my own school included) may also be in it for the kids. The fact is everyone does things differently. I take special exception to the way the new prez at our school does things. Does this make her wrong? Not necessarily. Just different. As the ex-prez, do I think I did a better job? Of Course! Is that the whole truth? Welllll... Just because I think one way doesn't mean that everyone else sees it that way. I know I'm saying what I'm trying to say very badly, but try to read between these lines and get to what I mean. It may not have merit to all, but it will have merit to those who understand what I'm trying to get across here.

Hey Everyone! I am a new PTA President this year. I have been on the Executive PTA Board for about 4 years or so. I have seen & heard alot of things about our PTA too. We are currnetly working on things to correct our problems. We are accomplishing this by working together and allowing for change. After all this is for the kids, it should be done RIGHT!
I get sick to my stomach when others think they can pretty much do whatever & think they can get away with it. NO WAY in my book!
Let's turn all the bad things into positives this year! I am ready for a GREAT year!!

[ 09-01-2002: Message edited by: jenjen ]</p>