Thanks CC.
"So I called a meeting with those two, the Princ/Super and myself." How very professional of you!!

Even if no provisions in bylaws, if Roberts Rules are the fall back, or cited in your laws, there ARE guidleines in there, for just about anything under the sun.
How you handled your particular sitaution, or offered to handle it, is better than what I have found in RRO, so KUDOS to you!
Maybe your group (or new one at the school youre going to) can write PTOEtiquette (I think you or someone else was talking about that under Social) and include it in RROO RealRulesOfOrder (in other words, Rules that have been tested in 200X real life -- remember who wrote ROBERTS rules,,,,surely he was clueless about the female psyche, and had NO WAY to know how turn of the next century moms might be liable to act and what rules might be needed.
So ther you have anouther fund raiser idea, use your other 6 'rules' youve posted a couple times recently, add the above, and youre PTO will never have to raise another dime from parents, if Tim will advertise your NEW AND IMPROVED RULES FOR THE MODERN PTO on this site. (and sorry guys, shawn, capedad, phil, ira, and others whose names escape me , you guys are great, and your PTOs with men at the helm probably dont even NEED such new rules, becuase your presence in the pto is probably enough to keep the female antics in there proper place --- OFF campus!

Interesting question aOK. It really never was an issue before. We've always been an amicable group. The few instances where there were problems, we were able to work it out by talking.

Only once in my five years at this school did I have to get the principal and superintendent involved. That alone embarrassed the two fueding ladies enough to straighten up and compromise. Each thought they were absolutely right on an issue and neither would back down. So I called a meeting with those two, the Princ/Super and myself. They declined the meeting and instead offered to put it up to a vote at the next meeting and let the majority rule (hey now, there's an idea...).

Only recently did we have two members who were becoming increasingly difficult to work with. One was an emotional roller coaster and one was incredibly two-faced (loved all of us at the meetings but then bad-mouthed us to her friends and neighbors).

I agree with the many posts warning against a by-laws change for one person but ours were up for review anyway so we pounced on the chance to include to clauses - a Removal clause and an Unopposed Candidate yes/no clause. Funny how just adding certain clauses to your by-laws makes people behave. The first one decided to not re-run for her officer position (afraid of getting too many no votes) and the other has decided to no longer be invovled with PTO.

Just curious crewchief, since you seem so level headed and reasonable, what did you do before you added that phrase to the bylaws, when you had difficult members to handle? Just wondering how you handled those situations(did you meet with the members in question, did you resolve the matters without using RRO and bylaws ie was everything amicaable? )cuz I find you always have good inputs and advice to thse postings! smile. thanks.

My group's bylaws say:

Any officer or agent, such as a committee chair, may be removed by the Board whenever in its judgment the best interests of the PTO would be served thereby. The method of removal shall be by 2/3 vote at a regular or properly called meeting at which a quorum is present.

Unfortunately, this wording was only added to our bylaws this year because we had one or two members getting a bit sideways and we needed a plan to handle their negative behavior. However, even with the best of teams, I think it's smart to have this safety net in place.

Wow, what a sticky situation. I think we would all be lying if we said we haven't gone off the deep end every now and then. Especially when we are defending our children. It is a shame it happened during a meeting. Hold your head up high and make an apology to the PTO and to the principal. Admit your mistake, I would not place blame - whatever happened is over and done with.

Just think of the free time you will have by not being co. Spend the time with your children and enjoy your family. Attend the meetings and stay involved.

If you let it go, everyone else will forget and forgive in time.

I sort of agree with Tim, infact our bylaws have a line about being accountable at all times to the PTO if you are an officer. You are in the public's eye... Think about what that means, yes you are defending your daughter, get upset, say some words you don't mean...this gets told to one person outside the group by each person who witness it. Then the chain begins... the reputation of the group may be at harm. I think you need to swallow your pride and apologize to all of the pto that witnessed the outburst. think of what you would think if you were the one watching. Sit back and give it a little time...but do consider a pto apology.It would make them feel better as well.

[ 06-13-2006, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: pals ]