Hi and thank you. The Board has not had a meeting since they were voted in. That was in Sept. 2010. I have been in touch with my parents and though the board will be disbanded, the PTO will not. We are in process of becoming TEAM PTO. Basically the parents who have been volunteers, support, delivery,etc. are all standing behind the decision to disband the Board. We will still have our General meetings, that has not been an issue.
The issue was there were board members who didnt have time to meet. So no, there are no by-laws. Next, I had a meeting with the principal and after explaining what all had transpired, he concurred there wasn't a Board to disband. You can not be a board if there are no by-laws, no conformity, no structure. Instead, we will continue with the meetings, which we turned into Potluck, and will continue to be a fund-raising club to support our teachers and our kids to make sure they get what they want, need, desire, or have to have in order to help the future leaders of our school. Speaking with our principal helped me decide what to do.
I have been running the PTO on my own for almost 3 yrs and asked for volunteers and board members. Which I didn't get until Sept 2010. My volunteers are great, my non-board was not. There is no I in Team, and the parents have finally gotten involved... This is where we are at the moment...Those elected to the board were not participating, while the parents are very much involved as volunteers, helpers and aides.

Do you have By-Laws for your board? That will answer the question of disbanning or not.

As to the members having suggestions and not helping. My standard response to those types of suggestions is "that is a wonderful idea... when would you like to get started on the project?" Or "that is a wonderful idea... once you have the details worked out let me know, I would love to discuss it with you further."

Be careful disbanning your current board.... there are most likely parents out there that do WANT to be active and involved. If you disban, over what you feel is lack of participation, will that encourage future volunteers or not? I know right now I am having to remind the board that we have volunteer chairs for events, and while the event may not be done as it has been in the past, if the board is heavily involved it will put future volunteers off... there is a point between guidance and micromanagement and that will define the amount of future volunteers.

Hi I am in need of serious advice. I started our school PTO almost 3yr
ago and asked for help & a Board. In Sept 2010 Board Members were voted in. We have yet to have our 1st board meeting because theses new members dont have time, yet they have time to give me all kinds of advice even though they do not participate. Without getting trivial, Can I disband my board? Do I really Need a Board? I have been doing this board thing alone a long time, and am still doing so. I have a partner/co-chair who helps and my husband and family have helped during fund raising. I don't think there is an I in TEAM. Please Somebody, I want to keep my PTO but I don't want to keep the board. I have also found out that the treasurer is a conflict of interest because she works in the financial part of the school district. I really need some advice.Thank you.