pals - It's a running joke at my school not to piss the principal off because he publishes the school's newsletter. The photos in those things are never flattering and I think he may even go into a photo editing program and 'stretch' things. I've had my share of pics in the newsletter..... One time he was getting particularly irritated with me (all in jest of course), grabbed the digital camera and pretended to take a picture.
caveat - want to be my running mate?
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
Crew Chief is right that as a PTO leader what you say and do will often be a reflection on your group. I look at my behavior as something that could hurt my group if the wrong thing is perceived HOWEVER we are also all parents and we have rights, our children have rights and if the principal pisses me off I have no problem telling him so but then you need to come together as a team and find that middle ground. Don't accuse, don't belittle just be honest. You can't be afraid to believe in education, we need to believe in it...if that means that sometimes we disagree then maybe we can learn from each other in the long run...we will never please all of the people all of the time but we can please some of the people some of the time.
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
I agree with caveat that when you're a leader, your public words are always attributed to that post.
As PTO President, I am always careful to present my group and the larger community in a positive light.
As a concerned parent, my words are private and between me and whomever I am discussing the concern with, be it my son's teacher, the principal or the superintendent.
My school once had a parent who disagreed with a School Board policy and attempted to use PTO events to publicize her concern. I reminded her what our bylaws said about not attempting to influence policy. She continued to pursue her goal, as is her right as an individual, through more appropriate channels.
I think that for many people, confrontation of any kind is scary to them and they try to find a third party to work on their behalf. There are groups who offer that service. It isn't the PTO.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
