Have you tried using the Robert's Rules to back you up? For instance if you use an agenda follow it and not let the members get off on other topics. When this woman tries to personally attack members you have to interject and state that in order of keeping the meeting on target you have to stay on the subject that is on the agenda. If she interupts someone who has the floor, tell her excuse me but so and so has the floor now, you'll have your opportunity to speak on the subject when it is your turn for the floor. I wish you lots of luck, our former President was very similar to the one you describe, the first few meetings were pretty nasty...but the new board had a great relationship with each other and backed each other up. As far as the principal goes, they tend to be a fickle bunch...try to talk to him/her with the rest of your board members present and ask for their help in making the meeetings more productive and less hostile and ask for their support directly and express how very much the PTO Board of Officers needs the help and advice that they can give. Kill them with kindness!! I remember many times when our former President would start out a discussion with, "When I was President..." I would always let her have her say and when she was done I would reply with...I know how very hard you worked for our group and all of the great things you continue to do BUT we would like to try things differently and we hope that you can support a change. Because we truly need someone with your experience and contacts to help our PTO grow Good Luck!!!

I need some help! I have a past president who is in tight with the principal and very active still but is downright mean and nasty. She is so vicious and doesn't think twice about attacking people at the meetings and then lighting up the phone lines bad mouthing people. I'm at the end of my rope. Noone backs me up because they're afraid and they know the principal likes her. She ruins the meetings. I'm not backing down because I can't let her bully me but I don't want the tone of the meetings to be so contentious and have it dismissed as a personality thing. She does so much for the school so she has a lot of supporters. Any ideas on what I can specifically do or say the next time she behaves that way?