I really appreciated all the responses received. As it stands the left over PTA members have a fear to continue as officers because of lack of experience in handling PTA business. I am however trying to convince them (treasurer & secretary) that because they have stuck it out thus far, they have gained alittle experience needed to keep the bottom half of the PTA going. So now we are trying to lift this heavy load of recovery. I am not too sure the hands that hold the load will make it but I am there to give the support that is needed. As for the candy debt, the students were given candy bars with parents permission to sell. Unfortunately, the way the Vice Pres handled this candy project kept us out of the loop on any paper trail on who has what and who did what. In other words no record of anything. So there are many families out there that owe us candy money but we don't know who they are. Very bad move on her part.
AS far as the debit goes unless it can be solved with an good old fashioned audit with the paperwork of the former officers looked over with a fine tooth comb, you may be "eating" this one. Beyond that, it's important that this issue be reasolved with the current officer team and not "left" for next years team and I would made sure the nomination commitee makes that known. Okay, so next year's officers won't have as much in the account because of an accounting error that was someonelse's fault BUT isn't this were we were taught how to make lemonade with all those lemons???? With that in mind you could have a stand next year to make up what you lost...sorry couldn't resit...
Okay, you've written about two issues: a "candy" debt and no people volunteering for your new board. As to the candy problem, do you have candy that you need to sell? Or did you take orders, and give out the candy without payment? (Oops, don't mean You personally) If you give us more info about this I bet you'll get some ideas for a solution.
As to the nominating committee. The way we do ours (we're a PTA too) is that we have one teacher, one current board member that is not running for election and one regular PTA member that will not be put on the ballot but is involved enough with the school that she knows some of the younger parents. Our first grade teachers take turns, I'm the board member and I solicited a parent. As to finding people for open positions, you gotta ask - not too many people volunteer but most are flattered to be asked. Our by-laws state that the president must have been on the board for one year so your prediciment (for us anyway) would mean a by-law change unless one of your remaining members would jump in. If everything else was going well for your PTA except for the candy thing, it seems like you can recover. good luck!
This is unbelievable! All remaining members really need to rally around on this one. What will happen to your school w/o a PTO!? No way around it you'll have to "eat" that candy debt! Are other members still interested in being members--just not officers? Hang in there!
Since joining the pta as an asst treasurer the heads Pres and Vice Pres have destroyed the structure. For example: firt the President takes a leave of absence. Come to find out she resigned for her term. The Vice Pres jumps into position. As of January, 2003 she bails ship and leaves us with a major candy sale debt. We since then have been trying to pick up what was destroyed as inexperience/new officers. Now it is April the debt still exist and we just don't know how to handle the problem of the debt. Are we responsible for what the Pres/Vice Pres does without knowledge of fiancial debts? What would you do being so close to the end of the school year. Nominating committe has just been pose to the members but as of yet no one has come forward to want to even get people to fill all positions. We all want to quit that is the treasurer and asst treasurer. Any suggestions for us Help!
