Hold your ground! I've felt like taking a walk too but that's probably what they want. Read every bit of material you can get your hands on. Knowledge is a very powerful and persuasive way to get things done. Above all else, set a high standard by keeping proper minutes and detailed treasurer's reports and follow the bylaws by the book!!! Good luck!!
Wow this is a difficult situation and I hope I can help some. First and foremost it seems that your pto does not have control at this point, on the up side time is on your side because school is not in session yet. You need to inform your principal that you appreciate the enthusiasm with helping your group. Next you need to inform her that your group will also be having a planning meeting on what your expectations for the pto's role will be in the upcoming school year. Ask her for a date after both meetings have taken place to sit down and compare what each other sees as "doable". You must take a firm...not pushy...stand and let it be known right from the get go that you are your own group. You might be surprised that you actually have many of the same views for your pto. You have to earn respect and treat it like a business. Let them have as many planning sessions that they want...they cannot force you to do anything...your a volunteer and she is not your boss. But, please have all your "duckies" in a row when school starts...any problems that have occured in the past must be changed and without fault the new way of doing things should be constant. At your first meeting you need to say the the new board will be following Robert's Rules...I even bought one to keep at all meetings in case someone had a question. Make sure your secretary takes minutes and that they are at every meeting. If the members and staff see that you are competant and business like they will slowly but surely relax. Be firm and don't give up...I went through months of angry thoughts before I finally put my foot down and took control and things are really much better:)
Maggie,
I've been staring at your post trying to think of something inspirational to say. I also checked thru your other posts & it's clear that you've done a lot of research and have put in a lot of time & effort! It would be a shame (at least for the kids!) if you did resign. However, only you know what is best for YOU.
To help you reach an informed decision, try pondering these things. Have you had a one-on-one meeting with the principal? Have you been able to establish any kind of relationship with her? Is she part of your board, is that why you would hold a "planning meeting" with her? Is your principal the main stumbling block, or are the other officers (or both)? Are there other people who have your enthusiasm for making positive changes? Are they able or willing to chair a committee? Have you had an Exec. Board meeting over the summer, or is this one it? (Again, wondering if you've been able to develop any relationship with them...)
Would the bylaws help you out at all (maybe they state who should be on the Exec. Board or the number of years someone can be in the same office)? In a previous post you mentioned that you were unable to get a copy of the bylaws. I see you are a PTA, are you required to send a copy of your bylaws to them? If so, maybe you can get a copy from them. Have you tried to get advice or assistance from any of your local PTA reps? (I'm sorry, I'm not involved in PTA, so I don't really know how they work. But I know from other posts, that there are people who should probably be able to assist you.)
I've probably added to your confusion by throwing more things into the mix. However, it's a shame to see someone with your enthusiasm get "squashed" by others until you give up! But I also believe that only you know what is best for you.
hi guys, here's the current situation. My principal has decided to call a "planning" meeting to "help the new board understand the traditions, etc". She decided to have this meeting on a day that I can't attend due to a final exam at the same time. The new secretary also can't go. (the vp is currently out of town, don't think he even knows about it). Basically the entire year is now going to be "planned" by the old group who are not interested in new ideas, new ways of doing things, etc. I have already expressed my opinion to the principal that this is not right but she doesn't seem to care. (she pretty much said that it was just a planning meeting to get the budget started and nothing would be voted on) I won't even get into the fact that our pta is a mess, minutes aren't recorded, no sign that there has ever been a vote taken for electing officers, etc. That's a whole other story, equally ugly. Anyhow, what should I do? Half of me wants to just tell them exactly where to go and step down as president and half of me thinks that I have some good ideas that I would really like to try. (but I don't want to spend the entire year screaming at these other people) Help!!!! Thanks
