Does anyone belong to the PTA/PTO? (PTO in my area). I am on the board, and this coming school year I will be president elect, and then the next year I will be president. I'm really contemplating *dropping out*. It's not that I don't want to be involved, but I just don't know if I can handle the stress. (see my post in general discussion about ER visit!) I know that it's still a year and a half away, and things could (and hopefully will) be different by then. I just haven't been thrilled about the nomination since I found out they want me to do it.
I love to be involved in my kids classes, but I really think I can do that without being involved in the PTO. I can volunteer in their classes as much or little as I want to. I guess I almost feel like being the PTO president would bring so many responsibilities that it would actually take me away from my own kids classes. I guess that sounds selfish. I know someone has to be the president, and that I should probably take my turn, but I don't know if I want to. That's about the time that we are wanting baby #4. Plus, I'm trying to de-stress my life at the moment, and this PTO thing has been on my mind alot.
Anyone else involved in PTO? Are you liking it?

By Colette on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 12:44 pm:

Nope, I went to 2 meetings and it was extremely catty and cliquey. I volunteer at all 3 schools and I work pt at my youngest dd's school. You can still be a big part of school life without being part of the pto/pta.

By Melanie on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 12:45 pm:

Our school has a Parents Club and I chose not to join that. I went to one meeting and found that it was literally three people and that's it. These three are great friends and do everything themselves. They make no effort to bring in more people. I decided not to become involved in something that would be such a huge constant burden on me. These three put in a ton of hours! I instead chose to become part of our school's foundation. We are a board of ten people who work to raise money for the art and music programs for the school.

I think that if you feel it is too much, don't do it. There are so many ways to contribute to the school. It should be something you truly enjoy doing.

If it's something you think you want to do, is it possible to have a co-president? That could relieve some of the pressure off of you.

Do what you truly want to do. Don't take it on just because others want you to.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 12:59 pm:

Ditto Colette. I'm a PTO member but dislike going to the meetings. However, I'm an active volunteer at the school. I'm Room Parent for both DS's and DD's classes. I volunteer in their classes and in the school library on a weekly basis, and I always take part in and help out during PTO activities.

By Babysitbarb on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 02:28 pm:

Why did you accept the position if you didn't want it? The president of our PTO came up to me last week at our skating party and said that I had been nominated to be the treasurer. She said do you want to run? I said No, I can't. I run a home daycare and I just can't make it to the meeting and help out with the stuff during the school day.I have always been very ionvolved in helping with the carnival, parties and etc. Iv been the head room parent for both of my girls classes since they were in Kindergarten. They are now 9th and 5th grade. Im still head room mom for the 5th graders class but don't have much to do because the kids paln their own parties in 5th and 6th grade. We just supply. I will have to take care of planning for Teacher's appreciation week and I will be called upon for other small jobs. I feel it's time for some other parents to step up and help now.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 02:44 pm:

Nope! Through nine years of elementary school, I never went to one PTA meeting. At the school where I work (and where my kids went), the PTA president is often at school taking care of business. I spent plenty of time in my kids' classrooms throughout those nine years and made my share of treats for the special events, though. I just was never interested in it.

By Debbie on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 03:16 pm:

No, I was not involved in PTO at my ds's old school. I did help out in his classroom twice a week and I went on field trips. I also helped at the fall carnival and some other activities when volunteers were needed. At my ds's new school they have such large class size because of cutbacks. I feel I want to spend more time in the his classroom then doing stuff for PTO. I want to make sure ds is getting a good education and I feel I will be more productive doing that. Now, if the PTO is working on this problem then I will gladly attend the meetings and help out in any way I can.

I think it takes a certain type of person to be on the board of any organization. I for one, am not one of them. I love to be involved in my ds school and help out as much as I can, but I would never want to be on the board of the PTO. If you really don't want to do it, then decline. Just tell them you have too many things on your plate and you don't think you can do a quality job because of restraints on your time.

By Mommyathome on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 03:36 pm:

Babysitbarb, I haven't accepted the position quite yet. I just know that I am in line for it, so thought I should really think about it before nominations come around.

By Mommmie on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 10:46 pm:

Mommyathome - didn't I just read a post from you about anxiety, panic attacks, feeling stressed, a trip to the doc and the ER and then a post about you are in charge of a county project regarding gifts to contestants and need ideas? My dear, you need to say NO sometimes!

I think it's great you want to be involved and be active, but you can't do everything you want to do. No one can.

From personal experience, I think being president of your PTO will send you over the edge. That ALONE will send anyone over the edge! Knowing your willingness to anything, help anyone, you will end up doing everything and have trouble delegating anything.

If you can't say No, say Maybe next time.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Should you do it, you will have great stories and vents for us!

By Mommyathome on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 11:02 pm:

LOL Mommmie...yes, I have way too much on my plate! The county project is one of my smaller projects this spring.
After reading the posts, and seeing that no-one is jumping up to be the PTO president, I think I will say that I'm not interested. That means, that they will have to find a new president elect in time for next year.

By Marg on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 10:21 am:

ditto with Colette, the women (all in the program are women) are snobby and nasty, sorry

It is a lot of work, I used to just help in the classroom that dd was in.

By Babysitbarb on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 09:42 pm:

Im sorry mommyathome, I misunderstood I thought you had already excepted the position. I get nominated every year and feel flattered that people nominate me but, it's just wouldn't work for me with working.

By Vicki on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 07:05 pm:

I am very involved in our PTA. BUT, I would never run for an office. I see how much time they HAVE to put in and frankly, I don't want to. I do go to all (well, most) of the meetings and make my feelings known. Our PTA organizes alot of things. I can work at those things when it works out for me. For two years I was in charge of all of the food for the carnival. That of course meant I was stuck in the kitchen the whole carnival. After two years of it, I said I didn't want to be in charge anymore!! I still work the carnival, but only one shift! You can still be as involved as you want to be with the PTA and not hold an office. I do TONS of things with the PTA, but I can also say no if it doesn't work into my schedule!