I am in my 3rd year as PTO President at my son's school. When I first started, I was at the school everyday running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I organized the PTO room, wrote a PTO handbook, started a monthly newsletter, increased profits with the Box Tops For Education program, and started having themes and decorations for Teacher and Staff luncheons.

During my 2nd year, our principal was forced to go to another school, and about 21 of our schools were shut down. Our new principal doesn't have the same appreciation for the PTO, and there are way too many problems now.

The PTO Secretary and the VP have both resigned, which leaves my by myself to do everything. Our treasurer is a teacher, so she just writes the checks and can't help much.

I had to go back to work to support my family after my husband's horrible accident last year that left him disabled.

I never thought my love for the PTO would die, but unfortunately it is. Parents at the school don't care and rarely support us, and the principal doesn't seem to care either. I find myself going to the school less and less. It's really sad, but what am I to do? I've been volunteering in our school district for 12 years. I am certainly going to miss it!

mommytlc, it sounds like you're the one who needs a little tlc right now. I'm sorry to hear of all of the difficulties you're facing. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Your entire community has gone through some major changes recently. You probably feel like the last man left on a sinking ship, still bailing water.

You simply cannot do it all. It's time to take a step back and assess the situation. If you left today, would someone, anyone, step up and take a leadership role?

Are there a handful of parents and teachers who you could rally around the idea of starting over mid-year,perhaps taking the leadership roles to finish out the year?

I agree. Mommytlc - step back and think what is right for you right now. These things are cyclical. Some years are better than others.

Sounds like it's time to recruit some new blood and give yourself a break. This is where your kindergarten parents come into play. They are usually your best pool of new recruits. Many will have no history with the school so don't know how it was "before". This can actually be a good thing as they may come up with a way to work with your principal that suffices for the current environment.

Worse case, just let it go. Either others will pick it up...or they won't. It's a shame but you cannot be singlehandedly responsible. Since it's your nature to be involved, you can still be involved at a smaller level, maybe in your child's classroom.

I know what you mean. Our state is cutting funding to schools so much that many school districts are holding referendums to just get the roof fixed!

The past five years of severe budget cuts in our district has created a toxic environment due to poor teacher morale and "doing more with less."

Our parents are taking 2nd and third jobs to make ends meet.

We've cut back on fundraisers and are doing the easiest possible fundraisers that do not require a lot of volunteer energy.

How do I cope with this? I try to find one or two positive people and teachers in the district to glom onto and avoid the negative nellies as much as possible.

My daughter is a High School Junior and I'll be gone in a couple years. I try to shed the best possible light as possible on circumstances, and use the KIS approach - KEEP IT SIMPLE.

And above all else, keep smiling, and put the best face possible on your organization - - - even if people are talking about you behind your back, and the school is going down the tubes.

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Thank you so much everyone for your encouraging words. I just counted the money for our fall walk-a-thon fundraiser, which by the way was the first time that our group did a walk-a-thon. Out of 412 students, only 10 students turned in money. We made $400. That has to be the worst fundraiser in PTO history! We made $16,000 last year with our Kathryn Beich & Otis Spunkmeyer fundraiser. It was my idea to have a walk-a-thon this year because we were tired of all the work and confusion that took place during our Kathryn Beich fundraiser. Now, our group is in a financial crisis, and our students will be the ones who suffer.

I know that PTO fundraising is a necessity in many areas - but just because it's always been that way, doesn't mean it must continue. A few years ago, our district changed it's policy so that ownership of the two allowed big sales fundraisers were taken back by the school. (In elementary, secondary is still a free for all.)

They asked for PTOs to change their focus away from fundraising and more to communication, teacher appreciation, school spirt, and volunteerism. The PTOs still have a few fundraisers, but primarily events. Most raise less than $5000 per year. In return the school no longer expected PTOs to fund major purchases.

When I was pres, I think we raised $65,000 (gross) our highest year. That is a LOT of money to plan for, a lot of pressure, a lot of responsibility.

If it's possible to move away from fundraising and define your "successes" on these other core areas, you may find the school is even better off and you regain some enthusiasm.