Pals -

I totally agree with what mykidsmom posted. There are those that are thinkers and those that are doers. I happen to be the thinker type, which is bad in a way because I tend to delegate a lot of stuff to other folks. Now, Some people just know how to assign jobs to other people better than others. It takes practice. I wonder if that is part of the problem here. I was thinking (See? I am a thinker) about your problem and how I would handle it - I would tell this lady to start by designating some folks to help her out. Maybe if a few others (that are doers) get in there, she'll be able to take some credit for a job well done.

I hope this helps somehow. It sounds like your PTO needs you deperately - maybe you should reconsider resigning.

Kirsten Waters

[ 04-29-2003: Message edited by: klwaters ]</p>

Hi my kids mom...
I have given her alot of info and ideas to help get it started. My principal,the school nurse , librarian and psychologists have all given her direction to go in. She just doesnt like doing but will take the credit. I know it's not about the credit but im tired of busting my butt for this lady and she just doesnt get it. It was a well known fact she wanted my role as leader but then found out how much time i give it. At that time i was doing the paperwork for exemption ..handed it to her and said start her...she backed off. I really do like this lady i just cant get across to her that if she takes the first steps then others will follow. The staff supports me because i follow through on EVERYTHING so they assume that i will with this and that puts me in a unfair spot.I think I acn make sure they support her. I have no problem helping her if she took control. They are assuming that i will be in control of this project and saying no is not going to look so great. Im just tired of being the only one to run things...i had achair for the bookfair last week and she called the principal the two days earlier to say she was leaving for break...guess who took over? ME.I'm sorry but i think i have totally had it...no one wanted to run for president so they elected me after i told them that i didnt feel comfortable committing to a year term. they said thats ok do it till you get tired. My principal is very aware that i might step down in june...of course i feel guilty about it&gt;i just dont know!! Im just totally venting because it was news to me that i adopted this project...i cant to find out where that info cmae from. On monday we kick off our biggest fundraiser (i cochair-this is one of two things i actually dont worry about) and we have grandparent luncheon day , secretaires day, and the week after that a week long teacher appreciation .Sorry....

Actually this is an important issue to discuss and I don't remember ever seeing it here (but I could be wrong!). I see, experience, live, and survive this everyday! I have learned to smile and say "Great!! Does Mrs. _____ know about this? This could really help her." or " You know, I'm not chairing that, but if you want to talk to Mrs.______, that would be great." Okay, your reading this and saying "uuhhh be there done that" does the mom know what is expected of her? She has this terrific idea and everyone is excited about it but does she know where to start? I have also said "I can help get you started but my plate is full too but together we can do this." I agree it's AMAZING how many sign up to help and but no one will chair! I have see it a group of gals work on a project and naturally there is someone that will take charge and organize ideas etc. Anymore too I like the idea of "who can help me with this " but not ask or name a chair right away. This could be less intimidating to those that are first timers or the whole word "Chairperson" can make people run! You know like the word "President!"

Now I'm concerned with the staff will support YOU but what about the gal with the idea of the outreach program? Are they going to support her? Are they willing to help her, like they would you?Has anyone even spoken to her and offered a hand in building this? What if she has tons of ideas and just needs a place to start or someone to guide her.

There are definitly doers and thinkers in this crazy world we live in and when the thinker can communicate to a doer what they have in mind it's amazing what can be done!! You and me, we sound like doers (I can be more of a dreamer too though ) and it's hard not to step in and finish but she needs your support and communicating ideas would help to get this outreach program going!

Hi...I know this has probably been covered before. We have a Americore job position at our school, the lady holding this job is one of the PTO members. As part of her job she is required to do some sort of community service outreach program. She has came up with the idea of aparent resource room...which is GREAT. WE have discussed doing this last year. the problem arises in that she started talking about this last fall and the principal told me to not to approach the group with this until this parent does some leg work on it. Well im suddenly getting emails from staff saying they will support me and the group with this project...ugh.The problem is that the principal and myself had decided that unless SOMEONE besides me chair an event then we can't realistically do more at this time. I have GREAT volunteers but no chairs. I also have ideas that i would love to do but won't because we are constantly doing something and im running it.I have given this mother web sites and info to help get her started...im not sure how to handle staff members that approach me about this without seeming negative.My principal is on spring break and won't be back until monday so im not answering any e-mails because I don't know what to say. It is great that the staff supports this and i dont want to change this. If she just showed some effort it would be one thing but when i asked her about who was going to run it and keep it up her response was I don't know , I didn't think about that. I also worried that if the principal says okay ...i can't realistically help with this and everything else i do. Im not sure what my question is but im venting !! do i just be honest with this mother...for history she chaired the fall fest and i ended up doing it. She has never finished anything....I need her to show some effort and her way of doing that is pushing it my way. Suggestions?