Whew, so glad I emailed that parent. She replied saying THANK YOU and mentioned that she'd do as I suggestions on the trivia night!

I feel as if it all was successful just with this one parent.

Thanks all of you. sometimes when a challenge arises, my mind swirls with "what do I do" and all it took was someone writing "great idea . . but" and it all clicked on what I "should" do!

Thanks again

Good for you! If you offered the olive branch and explained everything (as well as you did in your post)to her, she really should get a good feeling that she does have input and that it is heard. Explaining that "X" dollars NEEDS to be generated by the fall fundraiser and why taking a risk on something no one really knows anything about is something that simply can not be gambled on should be appreciated by her.

If after all you have said she still does not come round or see the light, rest knowing that you did acknowledge her and her concerns. That is all you can do. Hopefully, she will see the light.

Thanks for the advice . . .Our PTO has had a reputation, a bad reputation in the past and since there was a completely new board starting last year, we've been slowly trying to turn all the negativity around. And this one parent was one that was completly turned off and they are starting to come around so I don't want to "block" that LOL. I know we can't please everyone but here's what I did . .

I emailed her and explained that the principal was nervous doing the trivia night this year because we've added so many new event/activities already this school year.

I told her the trivia night was a GREAT idea and that one way to help change the principal's mind was for her to call and have a meeting with the principal to discuss how a trivia night works and the profits that have come out of the one's this parent has hosted. (honestly, I think that's what's scaring our principal away from this idea . ..will it REALLY be profitable and she's been talking to other school that have hosted them). Or I told her to put it all in writing and send it to the principal.

Then I mentioned to her about the election day Krispy Kreme sale. I explained to her that since it was a school fundraiser, it was agreed by the committee that it should just be held at school only. I also made mention that I didn't think a church would like us to host a school fundraiser with them not getting anything in return when they are constantly needing funds as well.

My last point to her was about the Fall Fundraiser. I told her I understood how she felt and that if she had any ideas on companies we could use that would generate $6,000 - $8,000 we are all ears!!!! I explained to her that the profits we generate from this fundraiser make or break student activites for the school year. That any other fundraisers we do are just added bonus money to the PTO and don't profit nearly what the Fall fundraiser does. I also stated that if she would rather make a donation to the PTO instead of her children doing the fundraiser, we'd welcome that as well.

I closed my email by stating the "mission" of the pto, thanked her for all of her suggestions and welcomed them throughout the year. I also told her I look forward to seeing her at our next PTO meeting (which we are holding at our McDonalds in their meeting room during out McTeacher Night there LOL).

I'm hoping that just by contacting her back, it will ease her mind as I know in the past, the PTO would just let her stay po'd and not try to solve anything. I made a promise to myself when I became President this year, that the PTO would work as a team with the school and with the parents. I'm all about working WITH everyone and not AGAINST them!

We'll let you know how it goes????

SO I'm not the only one having problems with parents. I'm actually relieved! I have a parent that contstantly emails me, wanting to know what was discussed at the last board meeting, when the next one is, if she can have the minutes, why she wasn't notified of other things when other people get our PTO emails...grrrrrrrrr!!!

First of all, when we do an email regarding board business, it goes to our board members and our committee chairs ONLY. She's one of those parents that bitches all the time, but refuses to help solve an issue. She was a friend last year, until I was elected Prez and she realized I wasn't going to always side with her about everything. Now I'm the enemy.

My principal said a very wise thing....YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE!

As long as you have a solid team in your board members and committee chairs, and as long as you and the principal stay on the same page, it will all work out!

**I'm outta lemons for the year already, or I'd be happy to donate [img]smile.gif[/img] **

(I think it is jealousy, myself).

I too have come to that conclusion! Some people can just not handle the success of others and find it their place in life to throw monkey wrentches at you.

Momof2Girls....What are the two risky fundraisers this parent wants to do? If there is no expense to try them, could you tell them they can have it if they run it?

I will say that the fact they have ideas (even if they aren't great) is a lot better then the bunch that complains and never has an answer to alternative ideas. Just know that it is always the people who do nothing that have the most to say. That is a fact that you just need to accept!

All you can do is explain to this parent how and why you do what you do and why you cannot do certain things. If she doesn't like your answers too bad. You will never please everyone and some people don't want to be pleased anyway...some folks prefer to be disgruntled!

As for selling donuts all over town on election day. The answer should just be...yeah thats a great idea, but we do not have the volunteers to sell them at all voting locations, so we are only selling them at the school. If she wants to sell them at the church tell her she is welcome to run and staff it and get permission from the church!

Good Luck!

Ive always liked the saying, "when life throws you some lemons, turn around and whip them right back!"

sometimes you have to throw them back because when you make lemonade with them they complain that it doesn't taste right! hahha

Seriously, as KMAMOM stated there are some very annoying people out there who just don't want to get along with people and _itch and complain about everything you do. YOU will never be right in their eyes. (I think it is jealousy, myself). We had (and still do have ) a person who is a "hostile" chairperson....does not cooperate at all with the board, but comes to the meetings and thinks she is running the show.She never says hi to any of the board officers and would walk right by me. I tried to reach out and be friendly, etc.. but it was just not worth it in the end. Funny, though....she never runs for a board position... probably knows she can't REALLY handle all the heat in the kitchen.