If you have anyone who can sew, you could do what I did for our president... I made a quilted tote bag (or you could embellish a purchased one) and collected signatures (with short messages) from each of the board members from our president's three-year tenure.

My term as President is up this year and my group did a really awesome thing. They each chipped in a little item - like a candle, chocolate, lotion, coffee mug, flavored coffee, whatever - each thing represented something they knew I liked. All of it was in a really neat box and dressed up really pretty. But the coolest thing of all was a picture of our Board with signatures all around. That's what made me cry and it's what I will treasure forever. All total they spent $25 but it made me feel like a million.

We've always done something special for an outgoing President. The teachers and Principal at our school also did a great thing - and they do this every year - they gave each Board (and Executive Board) member a gift certificate to a local restaurant. That really made everyone feel special.

For our Principal who is retiring this year, we are doing a scrapbook with pictures of each of the classes and teachers and staff and having the kids write what they think she should do with all her time after she's retired. Several of us donated a couple of items toward the scrapbook and the Yearbook staff provided the pictures. Even though that was for a principal it would also make a great parting gift for an officer who's been with you for a long time.

RobinD;131919 wrote: I have to agree with Tim. There was a great article in PTOTODAY sometime in the past 3 years ( Tim, can you help here with which one?) that talked about how it's OK to spend money on your volunteers, and that in some ways that old adage " you have to spend money to make money" rings true.

Hmmm..... can't find it this second, but I think that was one of my old columns. Will keep looking.

Do agree that a culture of appreciation -- and a recognition that care of and developing of volunteers -- *is* really good for the kids is the most important thing here. Don't think expensive gifts for individual officers are required at all.

Tim

I'm leaving my position since my son is office to Middle School next year. I will be purchasing gifts for the other 4 members of the board, but it will come out of my own pocket. Since each person is very different, gifts will vary. Also the VP and Treasurer have done far more than the others. In the past, however, they have given beautifil bouquets of flowers, mugs, gift cards for coffee, etc. Think about what they are all about, their personal preferences and go with that.

I have to agree with Tim. There was a great article in PTOTODAY sometime in the past 3 years ( Tim, can you help here with which one?) that talked about how it's OK to spend money on your volunteers, and that in some ways that old adage " you have to spend money to make money" rings true.

The gist of the article was, if you spend a small percentage of money to show your volunteers how much you appreciate them, you will get rewarded ten-fold...

and, as i aproach my final weeks of my 5 year tenure, I am fully in favor of lavishingly spoiling outgoing Presidents! just kidding!

I like the book idea best myself. Having been in this situation a few times (as a recipient), I'd much prefer something either something for the school that will last long beyond me or else a small token gift - ideally consumable .

As I've posted before, one year enthusiastic volunteers gave me this massive outdoor plant in an urn for my front door - right where everyone could watch it die since I a cannot keep a cactus alive. (My husband thought it hysterical that anyone would give me a plant.) Another time I got an unusual plaque/statue thing. Loved the thought, but I'm not a knick-knack kind of person. Yet how can one throw away something like that?

If someon just had to give me something (and there is that need in some folks), my choice would have been token gift like an inexpensive box of chocholates and grocery-store flowers with a humorous comment like "now that you have time to smell the flowers and enjoy some chocolates...".

It truly is the thought that counts.