I would have to agree with everyone here you really need a working relationship, if your group is fairly new or trying to rebuild take it slow. As for your question about things in the community that your principal wants the final say , I am sure that it is only because your results is a result on her and your school. You are basically representing the school, if something happened you would want her support. The only way I see around it would be not using your schools name or funds raised to do community events.Maybe start a community group...

Well that all depends on your by-laws and your PTO Officers. Our by-laws state that we do not control policy of that within the school administration, and that the school administration shall not direct the operations of the organization. Your by-laws seem to be the number one priority you really need to be taking care of. Without them, then conflicts and hidden agendas are most certain to arise. I feel you really need to take a step back and really see where the major problems are and work on those, and then everything else will fall into place.

Am I right to assume that this is a relatively new organization your school started? If so, you really need to do your research and get evrything organized before you go full throttle on any decision or project. I see where my colleague Daesey (I think) has the right idea, but if you don't have experience in parent involvement issues or projects, common sense is of very little help. I would suggest getting involved in other areas of volunteering at your school to get a better understanding of the school climate, that way you are better educated on the policies and routines there in your campus.

I completely agree that the principle should be involved. I just wanted to know where her involvement ended. She wants to run the PTO. Do you normally have a principle on the board of a PTO. I have no issues with working with her on things that happen in her school. The problem lies that we are also trying to work in the community to make things happen such as Easter Egg hunts and a new playground and she is wanting final say on these items as well. The school is hers. I get and respect that. What about the rest of it.

I'll second all the responses. I would never dream of sending/planning anything without the Principal's OK. They have a ladder to answer to and somethings may not be allowed.

I too am new to the PTO scene. However I am not new to common sense and dealing diplomatically with people. I am wondering why you want to be involved as well? It sounds like you have your own agenda. I think this principal is only trying to help a failing organization. If you have only a president, no members and no current by-laws; that tells me that you've had past issues or poor leadership. Maybe this new principal is trying to offer you leadership and do whats best for her school. She may be new but if she is principal, she must know what she's doing. As the others have stated... she is responsible for what takes place in her building and who is trying to set examples for her students. As for okaying flyres and meetings that is standared procedure and should be expected of ALL principals. You should try making an appointment with her and only her, no children or non PTO members should be involved in this meeting. If you want to be a successful organization you should start with common sense!

I would have to concur with my fellow colleague on this matter. Special elections need to be held for the empty positions that are left vacant because of whatever circumstance that arose. You can't have one person being an entire executive board, that is just too much for one person to shoulder. If there are no by-laws written or published, then all the PTO members should get together to ratify a standard set of by-laws and amend them as you progress.

As far as the Principal, it is his/her school you are operating in. They hold the major part of the blame if something should go wrong or a disruption in instructional time should occur. I would suggest meeting with the President and asking him to sit down with the Principal and ask them to Partner for the good of the student body. Get your organization's goals in line with that of the school's, and don't be afraid of telling her that too much is being expected of you. Let her know you are doing the best effort you can to meet the goals of the school administration in the confines of the PTO budget. Educating the Principal on what is happening is the first step to resolving conflict between staff and Board. Hereis a simple suggestion that might win her over and give you a better advantage..."What else can we do to help?"