If this is coming from a parent I understand you being upset but I side different if it is coming from a staff member, I am not sure of it was made as a negative comment, maybe this person is seeing that parent involvement in general at your school needs help. If they see that it is always the same group maybe they are looking at that, no matter how hard a group works you can always use more hands.
Right now in our district parent involvement is becoming a number one goal, schools have to address it in their school improvement plans, the high school is getting a nudge to build parents into it and elementary schools and being asked to look at what each parent group is doing. It isn't a bad thing, but yeah sometimes changes are hard.
This can be addressed in two different ways, 1-accept that your group could use help (oh I know this is soooooooooo hard) 2-be negative and start the year off bitter....
My experience says that we can always use some help! Good Luck!

I agree - politely find exactly what the perceived problem is.

You cant fix a perceived problem without knowing this persons reasons, perception is. Find a way to meet with this person and assure them that everyones ideas and concerns are needed and welcomed by the PTO for the betterment of the school, students and PTO.

If their way of measuring is "Moving Goal(posts)" (like the Democratic Party uses) always wanting to change goals (or measurements to fit a goal) say "Thank you for your time and response," and move-on

I would KINDLY let them know that you have heard that they have suggestions for your group and invite them to the meetings or volunteer to sit down with them and listen to their suggestions. I've found that if they are sincere, they will be glad to help.

Otherwise, I'd follow your mother's advice and kill them with kindness.

I also run into this at our school. We have about 325 kids and about 35 parents who sign up, but only about 6 or 7 who will actually show up and do the work. I always hear that we need to increase our parent volunteers, but no one knows how! I've learned to agree and ask for suggestions and smile, ALWAYS SMILE!

oops, I meant 750+ kids

one of my coordinators came to me with a comment a member of our school made about our PTO. they said that we needed help with the organization of our group.

I take personal offense to this. we have 150+ kids so about 1400 parents and it's always the same 25 hardworking parents in our group and the same 4 dedicated work horses.

we always work on barebones staff, we often take on school functions (functions that are not PTO sponsored) when there are no volunteers and we always roll up our sleeves and get the job done.

we get there early and we are the last to leave.

I don't know how to approach this.

I know I'm taking it personally but I AM the defender of my team and I thank them again and again for their endless devotion to our school and kids.

I am angry that any staff member of our school would say anything negative when we've worked so hard and raise much needed money for the school. Negativity spreads like wildfire.

our PTO is extremely sensitive of not spreading any rumors, gossip, negativity about our principals or teachers or staff so that the rest of the other 1375 parents may someday come and volunteer.

I am extremely frustrated that someone would say anything negative about our PTO yet this person has not volunteered for anything in any of the years I've been here. (4)

So.... should I rock the boat and confront this person.

or as my mother would say.... kill them with kindness?

should I just take the high road, remain positive and neutral and just say.... wow, I'm glad you've recognized an area where you feel our PTO should improve with and if you have any suggestions or would like to help us do our job better, we would just LOVE IT if you could come to our meetings and see where you can volunteer and join our team????????

Diem