Our principal must approve everything that our PTO does. That's just the way it is. I can't plan any activities or send home any letters unless she approves it. Unfortunately, if she doesn't like one of our ideas, then we can't do it. I get upset sometimes, but it's her school, and we have to respect her authority.

"A Journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step." You are on the right track, but don't be impatient and frustrated. Our school has been very comfortable with "small stuff" and is just recently and cautiously beginning to branch out and think out of the box. There has been success and not so great success, but folks recognize that the PTO is trying, and the emphasis is on representing and supporting the school and the kids.

Having a good relationship with the principal is VITAL to forward progress, then it's truly a team effort.

It would be interesting to hear more about your Big Ideas!
Don't give up. Having one Dad on board will lead to two or three. Sounds like you are breaking new ground and the school needs you.

Good luck!

I would also say that once you get into a consistant relationship with the prinicipal -- they will become much more trusting of your decisions and movements. If you give them as much insight into your maturity and ability to steward large projects, they will be much more comfortable letting you run the big picture...being able to have a trusted worker to their right does take away one of the myriad things they need to be concerned about.
Regardless of how macro managing you may be, the leader mantra is Check, Check, Check. In our case, we owe the information to the principal so they don't have to be on our tails quite so much. It's your ability to make changes from within that will give you the credibility (and measured independence) you seek.
grasshopper ...
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Sorry making up for not posting on a regular basis anymore

Also remembr most PTA/PTO arent trained board members (be they women, men, moms, dads, principals, pet fleas) - its voulnteers who usually have never run, steered or been in charge of a nonprofit or maybe even a business before (There's no college degree, PTA or online course to learn to run a PTwhatever, nonprofit, educating enhancement or whatever you organization does)

Most get some guide -ance from previous members (iof lucky), maybe PTA local or district (snicker), online (like this site or notprofitwhatever.org), its a big trail and error process (or can be). MOst go with whats proven to work. (ie I know fundraiser #1 has brought in $50,000 every yr for 5 yrs- why switch??)

I've been doing this 15 yrs and after being in the Army, running my own businesses, being semi -well educated, and highly opinionated (ask anyone, they know) - its hard to not want to knock everyone out of the way, and say, "OK people this is what we need to do to raise 1 million $$$$, you, you and you, do this, this and this." UNfortunatley only in Shawnfusious' dreams does it REALLY work that way. (and all the pretty girls are watching me grill and wearing cabana girl pool outfits)

Its been a big adjustment- but the 'cookie- cutters' idea makers, porpcorn sales person, stay-at- home parent volunteer, working parent volunteer (be it member, board member or just helping a child with homework) they/ it/ them/ IS (whatever the proper English) is - is JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE REST and USUALY just as dedicated. (be careful what you knock (on)- it might open, fall or drop out from below or above)


I've had my days (probably too many) of posting things here before I think- everyone 'even us smalltowned hicks from the sticks whom saw the world and chased invisible (some not so invisible) communist threats, ate sand in a foreign desert then moved to the big city by the ocean on the left coast' have bad days.


Listen, Learn, Reciprocate (more wisdom of Shawnfuscious)

Gator- working in govt - you should understand the Chain of Command

summary- A PTO/PTA is usually either an extension of the school (ie use the schools' tax ID #) or a separate extension of the school (ie uses its own tax ID #)

Anything pertaining to the school be it flyers, events, money raised, playgorund equipment put in HAS to be OK'd by the school and or principal and or school board- that's just plain common sense -- its illegal to use the schools name or imply something is for the school, supportd by the school, etc... without the proper permission.

Checks and balances are put in for a reason- yes it leads to small steps or beauracry (sp?) but I personally woulld and do like it that way (even if its a pain sometimes)

Growing up in a smalltown (that is large now)- I take personal offense to that statement...

You must hold your head up and crawl before you walk and walk before you run......... ie Baby steps is how it begins.

Dont be discouraged by them not wanting to do a BIG project..... the bigger it is the more money it can make but a good planner also realized it can also be a BIG disaster and put whomever farther behind in raising money.

The tried and true (popcorn, cookie cutter ideas) in this day and age (tighter budgets) usually win out over the out-of-the-box ideas because the are proven to work and bring in a ceratin amount of money (or percentage).

Parents have enough worries about thier own money - I dont see them wanting to worry about possible shortcomings for money (as someone whom has worked in the Entertainment and Sin capitals of the world- Concerts ARE RISKY $$$$ makers - be they rock, country, gospel, christian or whatever genre)

Remember its what the majority of the PTO members want and vote for(regarldless of others) to raise money, enhance programs or whatnot. Majority RULES!!!

(Rhetorical Question) ISNT Democracy GRANDE !!!!!!


As one of the resident TOken Dads (my copyrighted idea/name) welcome ubbBoard... I hope they find a way to involve the Dads (Grandfathers, Uncles, etc) where you are- we are an underutilized resource but remember the good comes with the bad too- in many ways (This isnt Harper Valley PTA/O anymore)

Gator I applaud you ethusiasm but also caution you as well. There are so many rules, and regulations that go into making a school happen on a daily basis, it isn't so cut and dry. Let's give an example say a flyer goes home that the principal did not look at the flyer had say a misspelled word that ended up being vulgar, that would result in phone calls to him from parents complaining how it went unseen. A principal is suppose to be the boss of the building, all knowing, all responsible, any complaint on a teacher goes to the principal and so on. Any attempt to get around that always seems to end in a bad taste on the parent group, it isn't about a power trip it is about protecting every chidl, every parent, every staff member and every family. Say a picture was put in a flyer of a child who isn't suppose to be photographed, that would upset a parent.
One more comment about let "the cookie cutter raise their popcorn money", hate to say it but you can't build your playground without that popcorn money! No job should ever be looked down on when it comes to a PTO! I hope you can find a place for your energy...it could be an assest!