Wow - there are alot of issues out there. The long and the short of it is that there are lots of personalities involved in every organization and each one is different. If you don't like the direction that something is going - change it - bring your friends who feel the same way to the meeting and get your motion on the floor and passed. Or, step up and become the president and change things for the better.

Jaimie as the the treasurer if you don't know about checks and deposits - there are other major issues going on and you need to get total control of the accounts. That's just a bankrupcy and finger pointing session waiting to happen.

And Fun and Games - if there are all those people who are so content not to be in the group but work around the group (and it does sort of sound like you are happy with that as well) maybe you need to step up with all those people and change things as well. The same people are in charge because you allow them to be elected.

To not get involved with the red tape of the organization is a cop out. And yes, the PTO should tell the principal NO sometimes. We aren't a blank check and we should be able to work together to support projects that reach all of our students.

Boy I'm glad I'm where I am - it's not always perfect - but it's strong and focused on the kids at our schools and involving our families.

I recently help with a fund raiser where the main committee wanted to do none of the work but enjoy the limelight they treated the ones working badly... myself included so I reminded myself why I was there and as a committee member of that FR I pushed forward with a positive friendly attitude and most of the community did like wise...and we pulled it off together.. our reward was knowing we had brought in a lot of well needed funds...the problem now is no one wants to work with ( or under)these members again...So remind yourself why you are there doing what you are doing and put on a smile and proceed...you will find a way

I am having the total opposite problem. My problem is I have very little parent involvement and half the committee consists of teachers. But they don't feel that it's their job to do anything. The parents that are part of the committee eiteher don't speak English, don't have transportation or have little kids and can't get away without a sitter. I end up doing everything myself and I am get frustrated and tired of being the only one worried about a big school wide event. How do I deal with this kind of problem? How do I get teachers to help out more than just show up for the event? And how do I use my parents who don't really speak the language and can't make flyers, call other parents, or run errands for me to help me out?

I hear you ... after multiple years of board rotation our group is still stuck with the same perception becasue they refuse to acknowledge there is a negative one nor do something to change it. Rather than continue to be frustrated meeting after meeting, year after year many parents have focused their volunteering in the classrooms with the teachers. If they are not in the classroom helping in small groups they are helping with items after school (cutting items out, preping projects, planning classroom events & speakers) or helping the Principle with grant writing for various things the organization has chosen not to help with. While the organization is trying to figure out why no one shows up for the meetings, helps at events and fundraising is down our classrooms are brimming with volunteers, parents feel more connected with their kids teachers and grant money for various projects is flowing in. Moral of the story ... you can make a difference outside of the organization ... just look around and see what you can do and take action. You might find its easier to get things done when you communicate with the Principle and don't have to get involved with the red tape of the organization.

Have you ever spoken with the other board members at a meeting about the perceptions parents have of your group? That could be a place to start if you feel comfortable bringing up the subject.

Or instead of not running next year, maybe you and your fellow board member should run for President and V.P. and make some changes to this organization!! Walking away seems like the easy way to get away from the negative situation, but if someone doesn't step up and say "Things need to change!" then this group will just continue down the same path. Think of all the wonderful volunteers who are out there just wanting to be given the opportunity to help. Think of all the wonderful events and programs your group could do if you had those wonderful volunteers on board. Think of what a great place your school could become for the children if those volunteers were working in the school.

I've been on the executive board for 3 years and served under three presidents. For the first two years, I was the newbee (rooke) so I didn't get to do much and my ideas were discredited. Now that I am the treasurer and have been around a while, my ideas are still discredited and I'm left out of the loop about many topics. The reputation of our parent organization is that the president takes charge and does everything herself without letting people help (who are willing and offering). I often don't know about events or even checks or deposits that are being made. I really like being involved, but I'm afraid I'm not going to run again next year because this. Do you have any comments. Another board member feels the same way I do and she is not going to re-run next year. It's a shame because we both really like being involved in our kids' school.