Hi there. I am writing this hoping that you can give me your wonderful feedback. Here is the dilemma that is facing our current and future board.

A member of the present board decided to look up online the public background of the future board members through our state's website. This board member found out that one member did not pay their taxes one year...this was over 7 years ago. Per website.. taxes were paid and a fine was paid. That is all. This member is now telling this info to a lot of people and the member feels that this new board member should be released from the future board.

I am not on the board, but have been asked for my non-emotional response to this matter. I have my thoughts on both the board member who decided to look up everyone and what should be done, but I wish for your thoughts on this matter. I will hold my thoughts until I hear from you. Hard to believe this is happening now---love the end of the year. Thanks:)

You know, if someone was checking to make sure there were no sex offenders that would be one thing, but this is extreme. Shame on that nosy person for going out and just digging for dirt. Double shame for now gossiping about what they discovered. Obviously, the "offender" cleared up the debt they owed and it's a done deal. It was 7 years ago for heaven's sake!

The internet can be a wonderful resource, but it can also be a source for "evil". I say ignore the info that was dug up, tell the "digger" that you don't want to hear about it, and move on.

I think that is called "fishing" for dirt on someone and it is rather obnoxious of a member to do that to another. We all make mistakes and frankly if someone were to go digging, I think we would all probably have something that could come up.

This isn't pertinent to PTO business and really has no place in the groups's discussion or consideration.

d

Not relevant to the PTO. No one else's business. However, this would raise a serious concern about the Board member pushing this.

If he/she is prying into matters like this and spreading gossip, that person is the one I'd question should be on the board. A PTO Board member needs to be able to distinguish between what is PTO business and what is not. Furthermore, anyone significantly involved in the PTO will periodically come across sensitive information. It's part of their responsibility to maintain confidentiality, not fan the flames of gossip.

Were I in your shoes, there's a chance I would (accidentally-on-purpose) misunderstand the question and vocally provide my opinion, that yes - such a Board member who would demonstrates such bad judgment by raising irrelevant issues and gossiping is a poor example of a Board member and should be released. (For best effect, this should be done in front of as many people as possible.)

Okay, maybe I would/maybe not. But it sounds good in my head...

Thank you for your responses. My opinion lies with most of you. This is the present PTO President that has done this. She will not be on the Board next term. Unfortunately her actions have caused the future member to resign, due to her ability to not keep her mouth closed.

My thoughts are to keep this out of any meeting. I have asked some parents who are very angry and upset about her actions to bring it up privately to the entire board. I explained to them that even though they know what has happened..it is not for public knowledge and a public PTO meeting is not the place to blast the President about what she has done. By doing this they bring forth what has happened and the other party does not deserve for any of this to be out in the open. It is their private business and no one should make it public for all to hear. I have told them to air their concerns and anger to the Board in private with a witness who knows what is going to be present. This way concerns are verbalized yet not fully public.

As for the President: Hmmmm what can I say except tact is not her forte'. I will be glad when she is done. Being a PTO President is not the place to be a controlling person, an individual and a busy body. It requires you to be a mature adult with ethics and morals. If this was the beginning of the year...I would say that they call for her resignation...but since it is June and 1 meeting left and then the summer...I think they are better off having the term end and keep it somewhat quiet due to the other party that is involved.

Thanks for your input. I will let you know if anything happens at the next meeting. It is a few days away.