Please help. I am the president of a PTSA and have a number of parents and teachers who want to switch over. I also want to switch. For many reasons. First of all, it will allow us to be independent and will allow more then just a click to represent the kids. I am a believer that all parents are welcome regardless of nationality. I have had a very hard time trying to get my board to be open to all parents. The teachers were never welcome either. Now time has changed.
But, I have a board of 3 members who will fight me all the way if I change. I am in california and want to follow the proper proceedures. Our principal uses PTA to manipulate us. She states, if things don't go her way she will disbanned us. We are always living under intimidation. Plus, we get no real support from council and district. I am tired of the treats and the people who want to keep pta as a click. Starting over with a freash new group of parents will be best for us I believe. I wish everyone saw the main reason we volunteer. It's about the kids.

Please send advise on how I can transition without the bad blood.

Dee Dee

You can go here http://www.ptotoday.com/ptovpta.html for information on how to switch your group. However, I must tell you that even if you switch your principal can still threaten your group. If you become a seperate entity they cannot disban you, but they can refuse to let you operate within the school building.

First of all, it will allow us to be independent and will allow more then just a click to represent the kids. I am a believer that all parents are welcome regardless of nationality. I have had a very hard time trying to get my board to be open to all parents.

How will the "O" change this??? Naional PTA is very big on including ALL parents, EVERYCHILD ONE VOICE!
As a PTSA you should have standing rules and by-laws that would help in keeping your principal from manipulating.

It seems that it is your small "Clich" that is the problem, not the "A" or the "O"!
How would you prevent the "Clich" from taking over the "O"??

Remember that the grass always looks greener on the other side!

I'm afraid I agree with the others. Most of the problems you cite won't magically go away by changing to a PTO.

You'll still be dealing with the same people, same attitudes, same administration.

I'm not saying you shouldn't strive for change - you should. And ultimately part of that transformation might be becoming a PTO. But you've got much bigger problems to face.

As far as being a clique - right or wrong - that's an accusation practically every parent group faces at some time.

Can you not recuit new leadership into the group - expanding the pool of people assigned to committees and projects? And in doing so incorporate new ideas and attitudes. It sounds like you need to change things from the inside out.

I agree, as well. Doesn't sound like you have an acronym issue.

Whether your group is a PTA or a PTO, you'll struggle, if you have a principal who doesn't respect the role of the parent group and leaders who aren't open and welcoming.

Sounds like you need to address those issues first. Can you find a group of like-minded folks at school who see the need for change and are willing to work with you over time to transform your group? Can you educate your principal on why an empowered parent group can make him or her look better and the school more effective?

If you can start making those changes, then -- if you're still getting no help/value from your affiliation -- it would make sense to explore your options.

But before that you'll just be rearranging the deck chairs of the Titanic.

Tim

You girls and possibly guys are great! Thank you for the speedy response. I think I need to let you in on how and why we are where we are. First of all, the people who are PTA are the people who feel they are God's gift to PTA and they know it all. I am dealing with parents who have been involved with PTA since their kids were in Elementary school. It's the same parents from elemenatary to now high school. hen, the council, and district are friends and it seem to be a good ole girl club. Starting out fresh opens the door to allow other parents who may not have been in PTA in elemenatry get involved. I find that parents who has been at PTA for yearstake the organizaion as an ownership. Since I became president, the membership doubled. But, membership is starting to dwindle down because new parents don't want to deal with PTA parents who are dinosaurs. As for our principal. She is under evaluation and has fought long and hard to keep parents out. The best thing we have on our side is we have a new Superintendent. He has told principals that the way out and to be unemployed is to not have Parent involvement as a #1 priority. He supports the parent community. I think she is going to behave herself. I believe the executive will vote and we will go from there. The executive board that wants to move from PTA to PTO is going to be the majority. They are not about titles. They understand that it's all about kids. I am open for your suggestions.
Thanks.