I am going to run for Vice Pres. of our PTO here. Our PTO has been down hill sense it started. SO I am going to try to get it back on it's feet. I was wondering if any of you have any ideas that I could use. please let me know.

By Mommyduncan on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 10:06 pm:

Be able to accept and listen to ideas given by EVERYONE, even if that person is not someone that you normally agree with. That is the MAIN reason why we have so much lack of interest in our PTO here. There are three or four people that want it run a certain way, when other people try to help or offer ideas, they are always turned down, so no one is interested in helping people who are always too domineering, does that make sense???

For the first two years that my dd was in her school, I volunteered to do yearbook, I was the ONLY one who did. Well, instead of letting me do it (I have a lot of yearbook experience) after I volunteered to do it, they asked someone else to do it, because she was a good friend of the PTO president and easliy influenced, if you know what I mean.

After that I stopped volunteering for things. I know it's horrible, but I don't even support them. I know they are supposed to do good things for the classrooms, but I don't approve with their approach. I know I am not the only person who feels this way, as I was told by our principal, that others have complained as well.

I know I gave you more than what you asked, but I thought maybe that little bit of experience would be helpful.

By Momtotwoangels on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 10:11 pm:

Mommyduncan,
Thank you for you input, That is how are PTO is now. ITA that you need to listen to ALL parents and let those help that want to not just those that you are friends with. That is why i am running so amybe I can make it a Good PTO.

By Mommyathome on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 10:36 pm:

Good luck! I am the vice president for this coming year, and then I will be president the next year. BUT, I'm seriously considering changing my mind about the whole thing. LOL

Our PTO president now keeps it "friend oriented" as well. There were a lot of parents that signed up for PTO and paid their dues at the first of the year and they haven't even been called to help with anything yet. That is what gives PTO a bad name.

By Kaye on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 08:06 am:

PTO here is just a big click. These people think they are the best thing next to sliced bread. So what that means is very few people run, the same people are always there. I think it is interesting that mommyathome already knows she will be president. Here we supposedly have a vote for all offices. I was going to be the good pto mom, but just couldn't stand hanging out with those people! Ah school life is always sooo fun!

By Mommmie on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 10:18 am:

Well, I wouldn't come in like gangbusters to change everything as a Vice President. I'd get my bearings, see where the clicks are, play nice so they will vote you President the following year and then start making changes.

If you jump in as VP saying you're going to *change things and *improve things it will cause resentment among the parents already involved by implying they're doing a bad job. You ultimately want to get everyone to work together, not have turf wars.

Also, are you sure the existing click doesn't already have a future VP lined up? While it may *appear to be an election based deal, in many schools it's predetermined who will be what title.

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 11:25 am:

Kaye....in our PTO, once you are elected vice president, you automatically move up to president the next year. The only election is for vice president.

Still considering backing out for the exact same reasons listed above. I don't want people to think that it's just a big clique. Anyone is free to run for VP. And, if there's someone that doesn't think the VP should move up to Pres the next year, then they can challenge that and run themselves.

By Janet on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 04:08 pm:

Our PTO is "dues-free" and we are doing really well finanacially. Our president (a man, BTW) is a genious at finding grant $ and also soliciting from the community businesses. We've been able to do a great deal in the five years we've been going. That said, we are basically a small group of the same parents, whose children are getting older, and we are getting tired. We have so many good ideas, much enthusiasm, but for some reason we cannot get new members. We invite, we send notes, we have newspaper articles, we are very visible, but no one seems to have the time. Or else they think we are doing fine so why change? LOL I think the key to success is definitely listening to everyone, and as president, not allowing disrespect for opinions. Encourage participation and be aware of your resources (don't tax everyone's energy). And try to build a strong group gradually. No one wants to be bombarded with a bunch of fundraisers or tasks right off the bat. We used to have the VP moves to P thing, too...but we eliminated that last year. One thing I hate to admit, but it's the truth: Since we've had a man as president, we are way more efficient, both in our meetings and our work. He is able to stick to the agenda and get things done better than when we were just a bunch of women talking things to death. (I know, I cringe at what I just wrote, too, but it's a fact). GOOD LUCK!!