In the old days, back when my mother was PTA president, it was tradition that the outgoing prez present their staff officers with a small token of affection. This token was purchased by the prez with their personal money. The incoming prez would, in turn, present the outgoing prez with a small token purchased with their own money. The PTO I now head up had part of that tradition going. The outgoing prez presenting the officers who served under her received fresh cut flowers from her with some very nice (and earned I might add) praise. I was the first incoming prez to present the old prez with a gift. Being on a limited budget, I chose to make the gift. I purchased an inexpensive pot, filled it with planting soil and many different types of seeds, making sure something would always be growing. I waited until there were sprouts. I then wrote a flowery speech, about how, like the flowers, she would continue to grow as she went on to do other things. It brought the house down, didn't cost me an arm and a leg and turned everyone on to an old, but gracious, tradition from my mother's time. Remember, she is leaving and it should be very easy to take the high road. I also think that it shows that you have class.

When I took over President a few years back it was a nasty situation...but at our first meeting we presented the former Prez with flowers and I listed all of her accomplishments and sacrifices over the many years she was involved and thanked her. To go anything more extravagant would be opening up a can of worms so to speak, because we have some many volunteers/officers who have worked their tails off over the years and to recognize only one could be insulting to the few who have worked just as hard.[/LIST]

I was wondering what an appropriate gift is for a former President. Not everyone agreed with how she ran the PTO - it was just her. She was in charge of everything: fundraising decisions, checkbook etc. We finally were able to get an "Organizational Meeting" called to elect officers.
Even though everyone did not agree with how she ran it for those many years (8-10+), the fact remains she still deserves to be acknoledged for the work she did.
Any suggestions? Thank you.