With elections quickly coming up, let's define what a "Bad President" really is. I've been nominated to run again and already the grumbling has begun. There is always a few people who don't like the current officers, but I'm really having a problem with this. I believe I was a good president. I listened to others (I used ideas from literally everyone). I took no credit for any event, giving it to the chairpersons and their committees (even when they didn't come through with the ideas or the work). I ran fewer fundraisers and yet raised more money than any prez before me (this meant less work done by children and less stuff for parents to buy). I worked every event. I attended all functions put on by the school (not done before). I set up an email account for our group and provided a secure way for those without computers to have the same access (never done before). I organized our group into various committees so that no one had to 'do it all' (everyone said committees wouldn't work-they soooo did). I scheduled more student activites during student/parent friendly hours. I secured an old walk-in closet and turned it into an office for our group (now everything is in one place and parents know exactly where to find info on our group, as well as a nice place to conduct day-to-day business). I made myself accessible everyday (I volunteered at the school every day for an average of 5 1/2 hours a day). I set up a staff "Coffee in the Morning" program (taking staff members a danish and a cup of their favorite hot drink, be it hot chocolate, tea, cider or coffee). I more than tripled our meeting membership (from 8 women to 40+ men and women). I kept all promised to a retiring Principal last year and to the new Principal this year (I was elected before the other principal retired, but worked mostly with this one). I took a Grant Writing Class, wrote an Artist in Residence program, received the grant and am currently working on the end result (end of April). I set up a Hospitality Committee to provide refreshments at each meeting (never done before). I set up adult supervised, teen powered FREE TO MEMBERS child care during the meetings. AND I TOOK NO CREDIT FOR ANY OF IT!
Which one of these things made me a bad president? Please, someone define BAD PRESIDENT! Is it me?

I know, of all the people to reply to this!! LOL In my opinion, it sounds as if you were the perfect president! If only we had that! In my opinion, a bad president is one who feels that they cannot trust anyone to do the work, takes it on themselves, complains about it, tells other people no one can do it like her, although it has been done for many years before hand by others, and then takes all the credit IF it turns out right. If it doesn't turn out it was because someone helped her, you know! A bad president is one who has bad relationships with the parents, yells at them, is rude and interupts conversations between parents and teachers. A bad president is one that is power hungry and does things to make herself look good regardless of whether or not it is good for the kids. A very bad president is one who forgets we are here for the kids not for our own egos. If you want to see an example, just drop by our school during a PTO meeting!! LOL! It sounds like you have given your all and thats all that is expected. There are always a few bad apples. If any one asks why you should be reelected, just remind them of just a few things you have done.. Good Luck!! :cool:

Thank youuuuuuuuuu Scooooooby Dooooooooooo!
It had to be you, It had to be you...I wandered around and finally found...LOL!
Seriously...I DID do a lot myself, but only when it was down to the last minute and wouldn't have gotten done otherwise. I had a "Go-To-Crew" who helped me in those crisis moments, and none of them would have thought of taking the credit either, because we are in it for the kids. I remember the first meeting I presided over. My 'words of wisdom' (and I know YOU will believe it of me...lol) were "You don't have to like me. You just have to know that I have 751 children attending school here and I love them all". As it turns out, some of them really DON'T like me...lol...! Hey Scooby, got any advice on how to lose gracefully to a woman who is going to purchase all of our future supplies out of her store at a pretty good mark-up? Isn't there some kind of regulation in the 501c3 rules that says that can't be done? A PTO Officer shouldn't be able to make money off the organization, should they? :confused:

OH! I take it back. I did take some credit. We did have an event that didn't go exactly as planned. OK, it turned out to be a nightmare. I took the credit (reeming is what it was) for that fiasco so that the person who came up with the idea and the committee that planned and executed (literally...lol) it wouldn't look bad. I also meant to explain the "Coffee In The Morning" program. It wasn't every morning for everyone. It was once for each staff member. It has taken a lot of time, but it was really appreciated. I was very happy with the way it turned out. It was a simple idea that didn't cost much and went a long way towards making the staff feel special.

Okay, I agree with Scooby Doo 100% of what is a bad president. You have done a very good job. As presidents we try to instill in our officers to pull through with their committments to serve on their office. I sometimes feel I expect to much from them. This past year has been the third board that I have worked with that has come together and worked hard together I am so proud of them. I feel that we are held accountable for every event that PTO sponsors because we are the leaders and we must see that it is pulled off. Yes, we make mistakes and things don't go through as you say turn into a night mare. We still have to accept the responsiblity and why because you are the PTO president it just comes with the job no matter how hard you have tried. It falls back on the Prez. You've done a terrific job and keep up the good work. It's parents like you that make the difference between and bad president and good president you will continue to be successful just don't let those bad apples get to you.

Good Grief Menzy!!! When did you do laundry!!!???
No really, I can only aspire to be as good as you have shown yourself to be! I figure with 18+ or so years with my current school to go I have plenty of time!!

You want an example of a 'Bad Prez' well I was the secretary for the cream of the crop last year. Not only did she begin her year accusing the Principal (whom she hates) misspending school funds AND turning in pages of 'evidence' to the police BEFORE announcing her allegations, when everything was investigated and audited ($30,000 was spent on the audit, you DO'NT want to know legal fees!!!!) the police found no wrong doing and appologized to the Principal for wasting her time BUT NEVER to this day has the former Prez EVER appologized! So in September, the membership wanted her out and spent the ENTIRE YEAR changing the by-laws to get rid of her and make sure this could never happen again. Her husband has been even worse! Power hungry, controling, always questioning every move the school board made, etc. The hardest night I endured was the night a woman joined our board meeting to ask our group a few questions about our feelings on the school etc. She was conducting a study for the school (our principal has a thing for surveys and studies) and boy did she get an ear full! In a nut shell, the topic of our books came up (they are kept by the school per the school dist. policy) and how messed up they are. I reminded them of the help we could get was just a phone call away and I liked the districts policy. Holy Cow, the treasurer not only told me to shut-up but reminded me that I ws THE SECRETARY and to finish taking notes. Well, that's the part of the conversation I can print! Did the President say anything....nope. No, our guest followed me into the next room to make sure I was okay! ANYWAY....I was voted in as Prez and her last words to me were "I'm watching you!" Little did she know, the Dean of Students was/is watching her! He asked me before Winter break what is the deal with us and I laughed and said we have a love hate friendship....I would love to know why she hates me!

You are a dream and I would love the oppertunity to serve on your board....no really.