In regards to the chairs that were already chosen, don't assume that they are like her. I would contact each one personally, explain that what has happened was unfortunate, however, you would still like them to perform the jobs they agreed to take on. I know you might think that others will be better but you don't want to alienate anyone who is willing to help. In taking the new broom and sweeping clean, you may actually lend credibility to this past President. In an ideal world you can still attempt to involve the past President. I would try to include her anyway because she is still just another parent. If she chooses not to, then you are the bigger person.
I know you can't please everyone, someone will always be unhappy with something but you can at least say you tried.
If any of the previously chosen chairs choose to step down you can replace them with the ones you have chosen. I agree with tradechi, if the chairs see that you are a reasonable person then they will see her for what she is...bitter.
Thanks guys! Your advice really maks me feel better!! I know I can do a great job! I think if I can just keep a positive attitude through the next couple of weeks things will really fall into place! I think I can....I think I can....
Hey crazy,Let her run at the mouth, she is really only hurting herself and from what you have written already it's been est. she is not a "very nice person" HA!
We had a Secretary like that, parents still don't talk to her AND teachers warn new teachers of this one Mom!! How funny is that!!
As long as you have your team and the school admin behind you.....let her be.
You know the truth and isn't that what prevails? Yeap.....you go get'em!
We have a great group. But aren't most of us grateful when anyone signs up to chair a committee. You may find that the chairs you already have will feel very empowered without the single, overbearing co-chair of all events, even if it was a friend. Sometimes you can be great friends with people but not work together. What a better way to squash the rumors then have a group that works well together without a major over haul. I hate to say it but what an embarassment for her if things start getting done and the only change is one person . .her. Good luck
Thanks for your reply to my problem!!! It is unfortunate how often we hear of others in this same situation!! All the officers finally let the principal know what was going on at the end of the school year last year. We hated to say anything earlier, we didn't want to be tattle tales!! The principal said if we ever had another problem come to him first thing. After stating the year even worse than last year we have all told him the things goin on. She did quit on Tuesday. I am now president. I am excited in one sense but this it NOT AT ALL how I had hoped it would be! She has alrady decided a lot of the chairpersons, etc. I just don't feel like this wil truly be the year I wanted it to be because let's face it, a lot of how the year goies is about who you pick as chairpersons! I had several great people willing to bring in new ideas in mind. I just hope I can keep everything poistive and not stoop to her level. It is just hard because people are only hearing one side of the story!
Don't you just love when stuff like this happens? Here you are, volunteering countless amounts of hours for the benefit of your school and you end up with a hornet in the mix! I'm so sorry that your year has started this way!!
Here's my thought on how to stop a bully in their tracks. I had a similiar situation with a boss who I had worked for on a contractual basis for over two years. She decided that she wanted to make me an employee but until the new budget took effect, I would have to take a temporary reduction in pay. I was promised that after the three months I would then be taken up to my previous rate of pay. Well, after three months I asked her about this and she decided to play stupid like she didn't know what I was talking about. I reminded her in detail (even brought out all the written documentation that we had) and told her that I would need to be brought up to this rate of pay or I couldn't afford to work there. She continued to play this game so I gave her notice that I was quitting. I found out about a month later that she was saying all of this garbage about me and saying that I hadn't stuck to our agreement. (Keep in mind that I still had all of her documentation from the original conversations!) Not wanting this to go on any further because I value my work reputation and wasn't going to let her bad mouth me (especially when she was indeed at fault in all of this), I sat down and wrote a very professional letter laying out the whole story. I cc: a copy of this letter (including my documentation) to her boss and to the board members for which she worked. I never heard another bad word being said about me or my business again. It stopped her in her tracks because I stopped her bullying and stood up for myself rather than just sitting back and taking it.
Honestly, I would handle this situation the exact same way. Sit down and document the entire conversation that you had with her, document the problems that existed the previous year, make reference to the facts from your by-laws that only allow the President a one year term and be sure to include your hopes for a peaceful conclusion to this problem. Be as nice as you possibly can because you don't want to come out looking like you've got a problem with her - only that you want it to end nicely. Address the letter to her and be sure to cc: the principal and perhaps the school board. (Do this on her copy as well.) When she sees that you are not going to stand for this behavior, it should stop her bullying methods. (Or she'll just come out of it looking like a spoiled child!)
I hope this helps and I hope that you're able to remove yourself from this situation and from her negativity. Just remember to really put some time into the letter so that it is easy to understand, professional and comes across as nice as possible. Then the principal will know that she's just one of those people and that the problem isn't with the entire board.
