For the parents who show up and want to speak say 'I'll put you on the agenda for next meeting and then you can talk about your concerns.' This is what our BOE does. If you're not on the agenda, you don't get to speak.

Another idea is after the meeting is concluded but before adjournment, make time(maybe 1/2 hr.) for Q&A's and limit each person's time for 5 or 10 minutes(use a timer)when times up, you move on and if more time is needed then put it on next meeting's agenda.

My PTO is a small group so this really hasn't been an issue for us yet. Our meeting are general meetings and if an Exec. board member meeting is needed then it's just the officers.

Generally agree with the above comments

Maybe you are not having enough regular meetings for these issues to get aired?

We wrote our Charter to allow Exec Bd "meetings" and votes to occur electronically, via e-mail for instance. This will allow the board to communicate as needed, but not have to arrange a face-to-face meeting. It was put in as a matter of efficiency, but may help in this situation.

Phone calls and e-mails are part of the job. But no one needs to put up with abusive people.

And a suggestion for the phone calls- you can call the phone co and police if they're harassing- threatening etc- plus just ask them to wait a sec while you record the conversation (my answering machine can record phone calls- although some cant but they dont need to know that)

Let the principal know, the school or district police (ours will just drop in since the building is open at nite for mtgs- if we ask)

Worst case-even call a mtg to order then table it but put in minutes mtg adjourned due to disruptions and parents whom cant follow Roberts Rules of Order- then post next Board mtg time with your PTO rules of mtg conduct- and how questions and concerns are taken and dealt with. (ie written, one-on-one, general mtg Q&A)

You could also then have an emergency bord mtg to finish current business (I wouldnt recommend doing it more than once though- this way)

[ 09-15-2006, 10:55 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

oh my. bullying is a whole different ballgame.

this should never be tolerated and should not be allowed to go unchecked. but locking people out (especially a bully) will solve nothing and may create other problems.

stay on the professional level, follow your bylaws and or RRO. maybe bring in a speaker at next meeting to address the topic of adult bullying.

inform principal and super of the issues. they are people managers and have been there, done that, in fact, manageing difficult parents is the number one job of many princpals. ask those pros what they would do in such an instance, after all, tehy have vested interest in a smooth running parent group!

my 02, all imho of course.

You're right, and Henry Martyn Robert agrees. That's why he wrote the rules.

While I agree that your meetings should be open, they should follow an agenda, speakers should be given a time limit and any negative personal comments should not be allowed. Once the meetings turn negative, the presiding officer should call for order, get back to the agenda and move on. Once it stops being fun for them and they realize that their behaviour isn't tolerated, they'll quit coming.

As for phone calls at home, that's what public office brings you. Sorry to say that it's part of the job.

I appreciate all your responses. You all have valid points. I would not be opposed to having people sit in on our Board meetings. We've always had an open door, but no one has ever come, until now. The problem we are having is that some parents are choosing to come to Board meetings and "take over" and critize, even calling Board members at home and yelling at them about issues. These parents choose to do this in the small Board meetings, not during General Assembly when everyone is watching. We have a great positive Board. Our minutes are posted, we go through all the proper decision making channels. We just have a few negative people who seem to want to be in charge, but refuse to put themselves up for election for office or to chair any committee. It's been hard on my Board members who are all happy Moms who want to make a positive difference at our school. I have Board members wanting to quit. We don't want to hide anything. But, we don't want to be bullied like this either. It's my first year as Prez and I want to make sure I know the rules so I can conduct my meetings fairly, for my Board members AND for those PTO members who want a voice. But, I think there has to be boundaries, which are why the rules were created to begin with. Thanks for all your input.