I am one of the newly elected officers for our PTO for 2001-2002. We have 2 Co-Presidents and 1 Vice-President, 1 Treasurer and 1 Secretary with the Principal also standing as an officer. After reading and re-reading our BYLAWS, it never states (or I can't find it) IF there may be also 2 Co-Vice Presidents, I realize that if we needed to vote on something maybe only 1 of the VP's would vote. The reason I think it would help having 2 would be the workload involved with PTO. Last years Board told us that it would be better to have 2 Presidents and 2 Vice-Presidents just to help ease the workload. I am not too concerned at this point with PTO volunteers since I have a fairly good list that I had people sign during the last week of school. Any input concerning officers would be greatly appreciated. NOTE: The newly elected officers all seem to work well and several are good friends that have worked on other projects outside of school together, so I don't feel that it would be an overload having extra people on the board, we are ONLY in this for our children.

Concerned Parent,

My first thought is DELEGATE, DELEGATE, DELEGATE!! I think the main reason some PTO's have co-officers is because people are nervous about making the commitment alone. But if you have someone willing to do it, then you should be OK.

Do most of your activities happen through committees? If you can get someone to chair the different activities, the officers mostly assist. Maybe I'm being naive, but I really hope to spread the work this year among the parents. I was just reading another post under this same general topic stating how much the parents really like to be involved, if they just get asked. Besides, if parents see that chairing an event or being an officer isn't a job in itself, maybe we'll have more people volunteering to be chairs.

Keep us informed.

Jo

Gosh, I'm starting the year BEGGING a teacher to be the teacher rep we need (we have 2 that serve on our board) JUST to have Quarum! I need a treasurer and secretary! So right now (on top of mom of 4, house, etc..) I have a the two open offices. I know the Principal is helping and I have a terrific VP but the work load is really making me nervous! Having a co-office is a great idea! My only thought is, do the parents both work or have other family commitments they felt better shareing? Sounds good to me!

I have never understood the co-president thing. Or the co- anything. They frown on it in PTA mainly to ease the mailing situation and voting related problems at general meetings and conventions. But you can have as many vp's as you like. You may want to consider placing several vp's in your bylaws with their job description. ie. 1st vp assists the president, (no need for a co-president then) 2nd vp in charge of programs, 3rd vp in charge of fundraising etc... Or you could simply word it that you may have up to 5 vp's. I have seen some vp's positions be head room parent or volunteer coordinator. Any of those jobs that you simply cannot do without.
As far as voting the only problem you would run into is with co-presidents. It should be established who is the voting president in case of a ballot vote to make or break a tie. The other would certainly be able to vote as a member.
mykidsmom-It is frustrating starting the year off that way. Hopefully you will run into people you can plug in right away. Best Wishes!

I personally dislike the idea of co-presidents. Any animal with two heads is destined to bite itself eventually.

I do agree, however, that multiple VP's is a good idea. Most corporations have multiple VP's to cover large areas of responsiblity. Perhaps the VP in-charge-of _______ would be a good way of dividing the responsibilities while maintaining the titular distinctions.

Perhaps at your next board meeting you could ask for input as to what areas need coverage and which could be consolidated.

Just my opinion but many parents would be more likely to assist in area they feel most qualified. If they are asked to handle general areas they are less comfortable than handling specifics. Leave the generalities to the president who will ride herd on the VP's and act as their moderator.

I have just been assigned as Co-Vice President of our PTO. I think that that is a great idea seeing as all of us are new to the PTO and the work load upon us. Vice Presidents are over all the concsession stands...lol I havent started yet but am very anxious to see what the year brings.