The other group is wanting elections which we are trying to work on for the postions that are open but what they are trying to do is over run us and take over. The Teachers at the school know what we have done for the school and they see our money raised being put back for the school but they question where the other groups money is. Everyone is afrsid to speak up because the other group makes it as if everyone is against them which is not the truth.
Success can make you go one of two ways. It can make you a prima donna, or it can smooth the edges, take away the insecurities, let the nice things come out."
kd--I think you have a tremendous opportunity here to unite your school under a PTO that is effective and run according to bylaws that your group and the second group can create together. It is hard to look at your own organization and encorporate change sometimes, especially if you feel like you are under attack, but if you have run as you've indicated, without elections and not along bylaws...then you are really not an organization that represents the whole body of the school. It isn't too late to have elections, or too early to start planning the ones for May. It may be tough to swollow but there sounds like a group that is looking to make your school stronger, more along the lines of an effective organization and united. I'd seize this time to set up a group that really is structured to do the most good.
The leadership of the effort most likely falls to you as you are the only President folks know. Roll up your sleeves, meet with the other group, and come up with an idea on how you can get all of this energy harnessed to help the kids.
Good luck
d
Sounds like you and the parents who are helping out your group and the parents from this other group need to sit down and discuss goals and ideas and mediate some kind of relationship. Then hopefully you could all work together to become one organized group with bylaws.
Is there someone who is the leader for this other group? Maybe you could contact them and work out something. If the two groups continue on the path they appear to be traveling I think it could only hurt both your groups and your school.
It sounds like you need to talk with your principal too. Find out why he/she let the other group form. Does the principal feel that your group is not functioning properly? What does the principal expect from your group and the other group within the school?
I hope you can work this out before it becomes an ugly situation.
I am currently being the PTO president for my childs school. The last president left the school and had showed me before she left where every thing ( checkbook, fundraiser info etc.)was. The next school year (05-06) started I begin running the PTO as the last president used to. We only had meetings when we needed them and we never elected officers we just got togther and made things work. The previous PTO president did have a second person on the PTO account but she no longer wished to be a check singer anymore due to personal reasons. I did find a new second check signer and the bank had them listed as vice president. We now have another parent group ( hispanic ) that the principal has let form and are causing problems for our PTO. They are stating we need elections for the PTO officers and keep bringing up the By-laws. We used to be a PTA years ago when we started so the only By-Laws I found were for PTA not PTO. As far as I see we never reivsed our By-Laws for a PTO. The only acting officers at this time is me as President and my second check signer so fills in as Vice Presient for me. We have other parents that help out alot and teachers that seat in on our meetings when thay can. This other group wants to take over our PTO even tho I have never seen them help the PTO as long as I've been helping for the past 7 years. We are trying to get the PTO running the correct way but the Principal is not helping by letting this other group verbally harrass us and by letting them do what they want at the school. If anyone can help me in my problem pleae let me know. Thank You
