Originally posted by <yeah>:
PS get more MEN on board onto parent groups.....sorely needed....wouldeliminate half the complainant posts on these BBs.......just a hunch.

I absolutely agree that getting more men involved is great on many levels. And one of them is a sometimes different perspective on things.

But I'd slow down in thinking that adding men is some kind of panacea. We have our own issues -- they're just not that visible in the PTO world, because we are relatively rare in these parts.

give her a copy of your budget, it's public info anyway. give her a copy of your past meeting minutes.

tell her unless an item is on your agenda, you run a tight ship and will not have time to cover any past info.

d

Yeah cape dad, you and shawnfuscious would be my choice for parlimentatarians in absentia. The notion 'thinks shes on the PTO' caught my eye too - ALL parents and teachers are on the PTO, it goes without saying, unless you have dues. But its nice and validating when a MAN notices the exclusisvitiy element and clique mentality at play. I applaud you guys , youare awesome and your inputs into this mostly female domain of parent groupism are refreshing indeed. Thanks for opining with such clarity. YEAH YEAH YEAH. PS get more MEN on board onto parent groups.....sorely needed....wouldeliminate half the complainant posts on these BBs.......just a hunch.

Maybe it's just the word choice, but your group sounds elitist and cliquey. To me, there is no such thing as 'just a volunteer' and every parent is supposed to be 'on the PTO'.

Sure, this parent went a little over the top (maybe a lot LOL) but I am dying for some parents to take some initiative. The letter sounds like she was hurt due to you and your board telling her she was not a board member and she wanted to get a little retribution. I'd provide her with that info, be it in the minutes or treasurer reports, and offer to sit down with her at her convenience to look at any numbers not in there.

I believe you are missing an opportunity and creating a problem.

If I had someone this aggressive, I'd appoint her to our perpetually vacant 'Membership Chair' and go over our procedures and guidelines. If she is going to be obnoxious and fail, it is then her fault and not mine. If she is great, I made a sound decision.

In our group, anyone, regardless of title, can volunteer for just about anything and serve in just about any capacity -- exceptions being money handling and contracts. Anyone can also participate in our board meetings, though only the elected and appointed members can vote.

I do not understand excluding anyone.

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, provides, in Article 19, that:

Everyone has the right to opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

that said

Traditional authority (also known as traditional domination) is a form of leadership in which the authority of an organization or a ruling regime is largely tied to tradition or custom. The main reason for the given state of affairs is that it 'has always been that way'.

is not always the best way
but without structure, polices and procedures in place

Chaos (may insue), unpredictability or disorder, or, in a metaphysical sense, the opposite of law and order


and finally

Freedom of speech which is limited to freedom to say whatever a majority of agrees with is not real freedom of speech


A person calling to inform person and involve themselves (wether actually given the job) has done nothing illegal, immoral or unethical (maybe over zealous - or a nut job- if too extreme or too many call)


I agree witht he above posts find the truth (on wh said what or appointed who) then get this person to work (and have some policies and procedures for them to abide by)

[ 12-06-2006, 07:12 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

"She stated that she was a board member that the Principle had made her one. WE talked to the princliple and of course she had not made her a board member but that this lady has read the bylaws and it does state that is there is an open position that the principle can fill it."
Sounds pretty straight forward, find out WHY the person THINKS the principal made her a member.... meet with the person AND the pricnipal at the SAME TIME, get to the bottom of it, and agree right then and there, if the board position has been filled or not. SOunds like maybe the principal inadvertiently miscommunicated something, or that paerson misunderstood something the princiapl said. all it takes sometimes is a short face to face chat with all parties present to settle the misunderstandings, and prevent things form getting worse. You have to talk to the principal in presence of the person who thinks the principla put them on the board. the principal is head of the school and should be able to set the record straight for the person doing a job not required. and with you there as witness to what the principal says to her, that should settle thematter once and for all.