ok I have to say I's sorry you all are being given such a hard time by last years president but I have to tell you what I got this year from last years president! she was so together I Think us board members should buy her lunch! She gave me a brief case and inside was a notebook with a letter to me about all the events that are already pre set up year after year! All the contact information, folders with all the notes from the previous years they have been used and revised to fit the need! The info that she set up the highschool auditorium for the Talent show in March that had to be booked a year in advance and that it was paid for! She even included a few things for me... bubble bath to relax, a bottle of motrin-no explanation needed and a whistle to get everyones attention and her home and work phone numbers for any questions she can help with!! I thought that was so nice of her to take the time to do! Now if we can only get last years secretary and treasurer to at least bring there things in we will be ready to go! First day of school is Wednesday! Yippeeee!!!

I was in the same situation last year, got no info or worse, got wrong info. It was not a pleasant first couple of months. I am president again this year and we have a bunch of new people involved which is wonderful. [img]smile.gif[/img] I'm hoping that this year goes better than last year. I also like to be organised and have started by giving every chairperson a book with a job description and any info I can find that might be helpful to them. This board has been fantastic, you can vent, get great ideas and help other people. Good luck to all the new presidents! maggie

saxyblue- No aspersions were cast. If you notice I did not criticize what the previous PTO had done. Lots of wonderful things have been accomplished! However I am an addict for organization and feel that would greatly help- especially in this situation. I am going on what I have been getting in feedback from parents as to their feelings about the "clique", and no communication. Often people will only serve for one year and then do not come back- I would love to see parents volunteer for every year that their children attend our school!! Make everyone feel welcome !!
As for my ex president- I have tried to mend fences, and apparently this did not work. I also keep hearing things she is saying and doing behind my back. I know we have certain people who would love to continue seeing us at odds and facilitate this. I have tried to ignore these things however when all you hear is negative and you don't see much different at meetings, its really hard to stay positive ! I continue to try and keep things professional and hope for the best !!!
Oh and I never said that I wasn't involved prior to this year.
I too love this site and use it to keep me going- seeing that others have some of the same situations and feelings. Plus all the great feedback and ideas. And generally positive responses. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Also, to MOmom. The correct spelling for click is clique.

I don't think current PTO presidents should cast aspersions regarding past PTOs activities. Especially current presidents that didn't take the time to be involved until they became presidents.

Good grief !!! Do all ex presidents act this way?? I also got no paperwork, felt like I was pulling teeth to get any information, have to deal with her negative attitude at the meetings, and have to talk over her to keep the meeting rolling!!!! I too feel like she would love to see me fail. I am trying desperately to involve more parents and different parents- not the same ones all the time. Everyone feels like our PTO is a click right now! I really want that to change !!
I have implemented a main file cabinet to keep copies of any and all forms we use, copies of our yearbook, fundraisers, meeting minutes,treasurers reports, buzz book, volunteer forms, catalogs we receive,etc. Basically anything we use. This way when I leave office there will be information for the new president and other officers. Nothing is ever handed down right now and noone is knowledgable about what their position entails. I think the lack of information is what makes for negative attitudes. Everyone gets frustrated and then does not want to help out the next year.
All each of us can do is keep a positive attitude and not let them get to us !!! Difficult as that is !!! Vent at home and keep your conduct professional during meetings !! And as everyone says- remember that it truly is for the kids !!!!! :eek: