I enjoy reading everyone's comments. It is an interesting view to have come full circle. And I now really appreciate the principal’s perspective. Our previous one had been there about 20 years; the current one (formerly Vice Principal) 10+. So I better understand some of their reactions to the waves of PTO ideas, the sometimes petty infighting, the changing priorities, etc. Experience over the years with changing sets of officers definitely influences ones view.

Our current group of officers is doing a great job, so I’m not complaining. They have some different priorities (and some the same). It’s just different. The main thing is that they are willing to invest the time and make it work.

Thank you all for your postings. I thought I was alone in this situation. This is my 9th and last year on the pto board. I too put in 20 plus hours a week to make our pto what it was 3 years ago. Then along came the current president. This person has run down everthing I have worked so hard for. We have not had a newsletter or other form of communication with parents for 2 years. I worked hard to recruit new members, the current pres does whatever she can to make parents want to run the other way. The by-laws are never followed, our accounting procedures are the worst Ive ever seen. ect...I had been feeling sad and guilty for letting this person ruin everything. After reading your posts I now understand I have done my best and I have no regrets. Thanks

Oh, does it ever occur in the PTA world! My very first board, where I served as secretary decided that they were going to use completely new people in all chair positions and pretty much all aspects of the year. IT was a terrible year... However, in the issue of the cycle of a leader, I think it's a bit different in the PTA world. When you're done being the BGOC at the school, there are state and national positions if you are so inclined. I am in this stage now. I chair a committee at the school but I'm primarily just a volunteer. I see a lifetime in the PTA but then again, who knows... [img]smile.gif[/img]

JHB, I honestly look forward to where you are at and think it may be closer than I think! True my youngest is only 2 1/2 and my oldest is 14 but I do have to admit I love knowing i can walk into the school and "everybody knows my name" it's just funny how many assume I'm President!

A friend and former PTO Mom is now enjoying the life of a volunteer and reminds me that life is sweet as the one getting the call versus the one making them!

I still think the Apprentice or Surivior would have a great show "in the PTO world"....this sure is a far cry fromthe Harper Valley PTA song!

Email me some notes, I'd be glad to not have to reinvent anything.

Our group is lacking for support, volunteers, ideas, (although not $$ our fundraisers so far have done very well) and fathers (like me) helping out.

Any info would be appreciated

So many times the phrase "reinvent the wheel" comes up in this thread. One of the best things PTA in Texas does is to require chairmen to keep a procedure book that is passed down "from the old to the new". It is supposed to be a written journal of sorts- the good bad and the ugly that a particular chair did (or learned) about their job during their chairmanship. It should be filled with other things too- like budget requirements, business contacts, administration contacts- everything that would make the successor's life easier when they take over the job. But like everything else, unless it's handed over, it does no good.