Steven, very sorry to hear your troubles. We no longer have a parent liason, but when we did, this person was appointed by the PTO and Principal and could be replaced at any time with a vote of the board. Is is possible that your group is set up like this? Maybe this person needs to be reminded of their dutes vs yours? Do you have a list of your job descriptions that you could politely pass to said person?

oh my god, very similar to me.
To many chiefs and no indians. First of all, since you are the new pres. I would reconsider the liason's position. Do you need that person?
She sounds like trouble. I would not think you would need an in between person. Give her another job. I just had my VP and Treasurer quit on me and we haven't started school yet. I let them go, to much negative energy. Meet with the principal head on, just the two of you. Find out what the expectations are for both of you. You are the pres. take the authority. Change is hard for people that's why we vote different folks in.
Know your by-laws inside and out and know your position and objectives and goals. This is about the kids, not a power struggle with adults in power. Use this website often and learn all you can. Follow Robert's Rules of order and get a meeting together quick with all involved. Give it to them straight out!!!
Good luck and keep in touch. Let us know how you make out.
Lisa

I can relate to this situation. I am a first for our school for two reasons- 1. I am the first male Pres since the new school was built 2. I am the first Native American Pres ever for the school. I thought we had a great team for PTO for this year, but I already had problems surface so early in the school year. Let me go back to the month of June. we had a "PTO Camp" (hate that word 'camp') where we discussed our bylaws and set due fees along with event dates. Both our Principal and Accelerated Schools Parent Liaison was there. We convene after that 'camp' to tie up all the loose ends. Well, shortly after that our Parent Liaison calls for a meeting of the PTO. I felt it was a little odd, but agreed to see what concerns were needed to be addressed. Right from the start the Parent Liaison took the meeting right over and chewed me out for wanting to renegotiate our debt with our District Superintendent for the Playground equipment they bought and we got a loan from them on. She said I had no business going to him because our past presidents done that and "stabbed our principal in the back" that way. Then she said the debt's first installment had to be paid in full from last year's funds, the rest could be paid in smaller payments. My VP and treasurer agreed before to renegotiate the debt- then agreed with her on the full payment. I waited for the Principal to get back from vacation to talk with her and told her what transpired. She assured me she was sorry that I felt like I was ambushed and she would talk to her PL about overstepping her bounds. I thought it was settled-W R O N G!!! The second week of school we had a meeting of the board and was told I don't communicate with my board. The principal told them that they need to askme what needs attention and not to wait for me to tell them and vice versa. I agreed and tried to do that and our second meeting for that week went much smoother. Then came Hurricane Katrina, and our VP wanted to do something to help the victims of this disaster. I toold her I needed to talk to the principal about anything like that BEFORE proceeding. At first, she told me that we could do something like that because nothing was planned. so I told everyone that we needed input of all the board before we plan anything. Then, my principal told me the district had plans and i could coordinate with them and the school as a partnership. I agreed that sounded better. Then she told me that our flyer would have to be changed and if I have seen it. I told her I had no knowledge about a flyer and was not told about it. I told her my concerns again about the board doing things behind my back,but decided to let it go at that point. then I hear from my Treasurer that they had a meeting and voted to do a relief drive, but that our principal changed it. I told her I was already informed and agreed that was a better idea. I was upset about the meeting and vote because nobody called me ( my number is accessible) to tell me that the meeting would take place. I let it go for that time til the Parent Liaison came into the room and ask me did I know about the change and I told her the Principal informed me about it. She then stated that i really needed to talk to my board and not just the Principal. That did it! I left out of that room and did not talk to her after that.

Well, Tues. I have a running apointment with the principal and I am going to let her know that if her Parent Liaison is going to run PTO then I am willing to give it to her. I am tired of dealing with 5 yr olds who whine and complain every chance they get. The VP been on my rear about things that were done because they were never addressed or even started on. She had all this time to work on her programs and she did NOTHING except complain. My Treasurer has gotten our financial records and checkbook, but has not deposited our funds we have recieived so far since then. It will be a week that money has sat in our closet not deposited in the bank. I would love to oust all the board and start fresh. They even want more Dads in PTO- but they can't even treat this dad with respect. I would love to hear all your thoughts on this and I want to tell those in similiar situations that you are not alone.

I am VP and take notes at meetings. I have a notebook with all my PTO info and when someone says something or I have an idea I want to remember, I write it down. It has nothing to do with the minutes, it is just for me. I am a very enthusiastic member, and I'm sure our pres gets annoyed with me at times. I get frustrated with her because I feel she doesn;t participate enough, so I have asked her and the other board members to meet so we can hash out who should be doing what so we aren;t stepping all over each other. Maybe you could do that?

I would go to the bank today if I knew which bank it was. then they wouldn't let me have anything because my name is not on the signature card. It is getting the basic info that seems to be challenging. How do I politley let them know that I expect an audit to be done also. They are all flipping out because we are pushing them, but we are not a layed back bunch, we like to have things organized so we know what needs done instead of last minute! Thanks for all the help. I finally did get an address so they may get a visitor!
Good luck to the pres with no board. Weed out the whiners and get some in there who actually want to work for their kids instead of social hour.

And I thought I was having problems!
Can't top this! I am new pres. and already had 3 fights with exec. board and lost vp and one treasurer. I think I overloaded myself with PTO today info and hit them to hard and came across to bossy. With only 2 weeks to go before the 1st day our emotions got in the way and BOOM! The new principal must think OMG what I have gotten myself into. I really don't know what my role is now! I am so frustrated. I told them they all wanted to be pres's. They quit!