According to the bylaws of our schools PTO a chairperson may be appointed by the president. And a report should be approved by the board before being presented to the general members. That is my understanding of it anyhow.
I did always serve as chair because no one really wanted to do it and I felt that because our PTO was so small and I wasn't working much at the time it was my responsibilty. Hindsight is 20/20. I took on more than I should have. By the end of that one year I was numb and it was time for the Talent Show and the million year end things that were going on. I have no talent and sure didn't know how to put on a show. I had two moms to step up and take over for me and they did a wonderful job.
It is VERY hard to give up. This site helped me with my withdrawls. I knew I couldn't put enough time and energy that I needed too in the PTO, besides that the bylaws said I couldn't run for another term. There is always someone to take over. Even if you have to physically corner someone against the wall(ha ha). We are very fortunate to have a supportive principal. She would never let this PTO faulter. I do not know how schools do it without a good PTO with all the cutbacks and stuff. When I was pres I focused on the kids getting rewards, having a safe playground, and teachers getting supplies (because as a parent I was tired of buying stuff every few days) but now the PTO even buys copiers and gadgets that the Board of Ed would normally have paid for it if it was in the budget. I had many goals such as an awesome volunteer program and more money for classroom supplies. But I had to throw in my hat.
I know how it is not to get to spend time with your kids. I regret that. At functions I while I was running around with a chicken with my head cut off my kids were with a friend or my sister. Now I am not "cool enough" to hang out with them.
I have almost 30 chairpeople and they are our association board also. We make general decisions and then the committees go off and do their own things. The only thing I would add, is to try to get chairs this Spring. We do the budget over the summer, we have a school open house in the summer. Spiritwear, fundraiser, welcome packets all start right at the beginning of the year. We always seem to have a few openings for the beginning of the year, but they eventually fill up because everyone knows they can will get help and autonomy.
I've been on a PTO board for several years, this year as President. I'll completely "ditto" Serendipity's comments.
For the past two years, our Prez felt like she needed to be involved in every single thing the PTO did. It got to the point of her basically taking over several key committees because she wanted things done a certain way. As a result, the group lost the support of some of our most enthusiastic members. People want to help and get turned off when that opportunity isnt' presented.
Our board sets the expectations at the start: timeframe, past history, budget, how often the committee needs to report the board, and basic parameters. Then we get out of the way. People want to feel ownership and pride, but usually need and want some direction. Each of our committees is linked to one of our board members who stays in touch or actually sits on the committee, if they want.
We have about 20 different parents chairing committees. It's not a perfect system, and we have had to jump in and "fix" an event at the last minute. But by spreading the load, we get alot of people involved which builds experience and future PTO leaders.
Thanks guys!! Those are some good ideas. We do have files and folders for the things we do throughout the year. Just this year, we were given our own filing cabinet. My goal for January is to get it organized and add everything that we've done this year. I just haven't had time until now.
You're right Pearlie. It would be hard to say if no one would do it, we'd cancel. I'm the first one to give in and say OK, ok, I'll do it for the kids. But, it would definitely have to be different next year for me to do it. I would want it to be different for whoever takes it. From my experience with our PTO it's always been the President's responsibility. Or maybe it was that no one else would step up. I don't know.
In our school almost all of the events are all chaired by non board members of the PTO. We have about 9-10 women who chair just about everything with us just overseeing or helping them out however we can. I chair 2 events, but that is by choice...these are things I have chaired for the last 3 years and I love doing them.
I can't imagine being president and chairing everything, that is just insane and no one should be expected to do that!
At the last meeting of each year and the first meeting of each year we pass around a sign up sheet at our meetings just for chairing events. Then the events that do not get taken we beg the usual suspects and one of them takes it.
We have a woman who has been involved in everything for years. She would help you in any capacity as long as she did not have to be in charge. This year I got her to take on a small task and now she is willing to chair other things.
For some people it is just fear of failing and once they get over that they are ready to move on to bigger things.
Before you throw in the towel. You should speak to everyone at a meeting and tell them that you cannot single handedly run everything and that people need to step up and chair events and you will be happy to assist them in any capacity they need. We have folders for each event with a breakdown of everything you need to do and all contact information or anything pertinent to doing the event. Each chairperson updates the folder each year with any new information or changes. This makes it much easier for new chair people to come in and chair an event. If you do not have something like this I highly reccomend you get one started.
GOOD LUCK!
