lisa-one more thing she has also told me that she wasn't honest with me about running the group. She told me that she wanted me to run it but said if I knew of all the old issuess I wouldn't have done it. So she didnt tell me about all the hard feelings or the situations that occured...there is so much hatred and negativity that I am still trying to smooth over. i'm not upset at her for not telling me ...the truth is I probably wouldn't have agreed if i knew. For four months she ran the group...because no one else wanted to.that's what Im dealing with ...the past !! She told me that if I gave her until the end of this year that she would loosen up and let the group start making decisions on thier own next fall. I guess I have to be patience...
lisa-I meet with the principal at least once a month for a hour and we also have smaller meetings every week. She knows my concerns and agrees that she wants too much say...she has told me that she has been burned by old parent groups and that's why she disbanded them. She also admits that there is ahuge trust issue with letting down her guard. She almost always agree with our plans but sometimes the deadlines she wants me to meet can not be meet because she hasn't had the time to go over the information. Which makes it hard...for example tomorrow we are suppose to start a candy sale but im still waiting for approval on the flyer which i gave her eight days ago. so i will have to hold off on the sale until she gets to it...is that fair ? We get along really great and I understand why she is nervous but i think also after a year of adding new events from a holiday shop, grandparent luncheon, monthly contest for our kids, fall fest, family fun night , staff parent volleyball,read across america celebration, teacher appreciation lunch, as well as alot of other events that she would see we are fulfilling the dreams she wanted. I have no problem with communicating to her but I think she does need to let go just a little...the bottom line she has the final say. I respect her decision and I just find it very hard at times to continue a project on time .
I think you are forgetting that you are using the school's facility. The principal is in charge, so everything must go through her. If you have meetings away from the school, then perhaps she has less say in what goes on. Maybe you should consider being a MOM's support group, instead of a PTO/PTA type organization.
Can you at least sit down with the principal and let her know your feelings/disappointment. Remind her you are a different bunch of moms, etc.
Our School has had severe problems with past parent groups to the point that the pTa was disbanded and that a new group was started. We are a year old and the principal requested that we stay away from officers and bylaws. I agreed to faciltate the group a year ago and suddenly find myself needing approval on everything from flyers to book fair hours. When I approach the principal with a idea she tells me she needs to talk with the teachers. Most of all events are night events in which the teachers don't participate in. I must also say that in the last year we have only had 5 reps at meetings. I feel as if the parents really don't control the group and find myself asking if this is worth it. I have fought to increase involvement to 35 parents which the staff is thrilled but i just feel that getting approval on everything is a bit much. The principal still request no officers so it' stough when there is a issue. We do get along really great but im beginning to feel like a puppet. Suggestions...do you need to get everything approved before even discussing it as a maybe event ? Thanks !
