We hold exec board meetings at a member's house occassionally. These are just planning meetings so we are all on the same page about what we want to present at general meetings. Since our general meetings are during the noon hour, we want them to be as organized as possible. If there is anything that needs decided, it is always brought up to the whole membership. At least that is what I try to do--the pres wants to make all decisions in private and not let the membership help make decisions, but as the new VP I am trying to guide her away from that.

I wonder where to get a copy of the bylaws? This is the pres. 2nd year--and last year she was very disorganized. This is our principal's 1st year, although she was vice-principal for two years. I guess I should start with her?

I would ask your principal about bylaws, the secret meetings and all of your other concerns. Back when we did have Exec Meetings, they were in the school calendar, open for anyone to attend, and held on school grounds. Unless we are doing some sort of activity, holding meetings offsite during the school year always seems to send a bad message.

We aren't told when the Board meets, they usually meet at one of their homes, and I do think there are bylaws, I just don't know how to get them. Guess I could try asking huh? [img]smile.gif[/img] As for running for office, my friend and I thought we would do that last May, that way one of us could let other know what was going on. Beforehand they announced all nominations and elections would take place the same meeting this year. At the meeting it was very obvious the new board had already been picked, and the election was more for show and to fulfill the bylaws than anything else. One other person was nominated, but the new board had all the votes. The new board members even had gifts ready for the outgoing ones! Think they knew???

I am working on getting more fresh faces into PTO meetings, and maybe that will help with elections this year.

This is one of the reasons why we got rid of Board Meetings. Have you tried attending one of these meetings? In most cases you wouldn't be allowed to vote but would be able to attend and maybe even present ideas or ask questions. In any case, if you have been knocking on that door for this long, why don't you run for office and try to change the way things are done?

fivekids mom are there bylaws/mission statement for your group? I am asking that because is there a pto board that meets prior to all general meetings decide things and then present them to the general membership? do they even asks what the general membership thinks? Sounds like a "its always been done that way" cliche game. Bylaws might be able to turn you in a direction, it is common that the president/board may propose things and have discussion on it, but still at our meetings things can be turned down. share more , we dont have a board, we are just one big happy family! Is that what boards do, make all decisions? anyone???

[ 09-07-2005, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: pals ]

I'm new to this PTO board, I came looking for ideas of just how PTO is supposed to run. I have been at our current school for 3 years now, and have kids in 6,4,2,and Kind. I am getting really frustrated with the lack of opportunity to help with PTO.
We have monthly meetings, but is seems the Pres,and other officers decide everything on their own, and then just tell us about it at the meetings. I could find all of that out from the weekly school newsletter.

Just wondering how it works other places, who decides what fundraisers you do, how the money gets spent, etc...? Maybe I am way off base, and this is how it works, and our other school was wrong. I don't know. Can anyone clue me in?
Thanks