Thank you all so much for the advice. I've got the agenda ready to go and after this week, I'm feeling a little more comfortable with the teachers.
Again, I appreciate the answers you all gave. It means a lot.

We had this problem when I first became president. People really wanted an outlet for their questions/concerns and didn't realize who did what. Also, people hear the word "Board" (i.e. PTO Board) and think "School Board". Many really don't understand how it works. So do everything you can to set expectations up front.

We created a document called the "Role of the PTO", we had some posters made, used it as a handout in the first couple meetings,and published it in the newsletter. It was very effective. You might want to consider using something like that.

If you want a copy, email me and I'll send it to you. (Please don't post requests in this thread - I may not check it or may not be at the right computer to access those files.)

We had the objectives at the top, then two parellel columns: The PTO DOES and the PTO Does NOT so each line had a companion piece. I can't copy it in here properly formatted, but I can do it one section after the other. (Sorry, this will be long.)

The PTO DOES </font>

• Support the educational programs and extracurricular activities of the school</font>
• Encourage parents’ involvement in their individual children’s lives, education, class, and school</font>
• Provide feedback and suggestions for school programs</font>
• Coordinate programs and projects that will support or enrich the curriculum</font>
• Encourage/fund the increased exposure of students to technology</font>
• Provide feedback/assist with increased awareness of school safety and security issues</font>
• Organize fundraising efforts to support some additional programs, equipment, and services not covered in the school budget</font>
• Support the educational goals of the school and assist with attaining those goals through parent and community volunteerism</font>
• Recruit volunteers and coordinate volunteer efforts to staff PTO functions and assist with school programs</font>
• Stay aware of legislation and political issues that may impact education and schools</font>
• A LOT ! ! !</font>

The PTO does NOT </font>

• Run the school</font>
• Force parents to participate in PTO and/or school activities</font>
• Set policy regarding school programs</font>
• Define the school’s curriculum</font>
• Dictate the technology platforms and/or software used by the school</font>
• Create or define the security program and policies</font>
• Control the school’s budget</font>
• Set the educational goals, testing requirements, or compliance factors</font>
• Have jurisdiction or authority over school staff, teachers, and other employees</font>
• Endorse a particular political candidate or commercial concern</font>
• DO EVERYTHING ! ! !</font>

A big 2nd to having an agenda!!! It will make things flow much more smoothly and quickly. At the end of my meetings I had time for open discussion. This was a chance for anyone to bring up a special topic they were concerned about. I tried to limit discussion in this area to 5 minutes per topic. Try to set a goal for a time you would like the meeting to end and stick to that. It won't hurt to go over 5 or 10 minutes but people will get discouraged really fast if they have to sit forever and listen to an endless stream of people with ideas/complaints. If someone really seems to need more time for something, you could always stop them with "I feel like this topic needs more time, would you be able to get with me and we could make it a part of our next regular agenda?" I also sent a proposed agenda out two weeks before the meeting with a note to call within one week if there was something you wanted added to the discussions. Good Luck and don't sweat it too much!

First of all, I would have an agenda for the meeting. Ask for additions to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting and make it clear that not all "issues" should/will be addressed because of time constraints. You should also make it clear to parents when you start the meeting that this is not the place to voice their opinions about process issues in school. Those should be addressed with the principal and/or teachers/staff.

You could, however tell them that you can act as their voice/liaison and bring issues up to the staff on behalf of parents (in a constructive manner of course).

Hope it goes well for you! Take advantage of having the parents there! Get your information out and ask for opinions and ideas about the happenings in school. They like that!

Hi All - I don't get to hit the site as much as I like due to PTO reasons!! We are having a very first PTO meeting in a couple of weeks. As president, I have been able to handle the small group stuff, but we are expecting a lot of people to show due to the bookfair we are piggybacking and the invitation for 3-5th grade to perform.

All that to say - a lot of people have been asking about this meeting and I'm not sure if it's because it's so new or if there is a lot to bring to the floor. HOW DO I HANDLE/FIELD QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS THAT ARE BROUGHT UP? There have been a lot of things happening at our school since we have a new principal and I'm afraid a complaint session will occur.

I look forward to your advice.