Recently, our school named pto officers. The officers for the past four years have done what they pleased, when they pleased. Money missing, jobs not done, no organization. Nothing to follow. I have done many positive things in the past few years there. I have been recognized for them and think that may be a problem.
I came up with a basic plan for by-laws as President. The school faculty members have expressed concerns & they think are needed, they are tired of watching one person do it all, and watching the jelousy of other officers build. The other officers sometimes feel above everyone else, they come first, and I am there to help the kids.
When I came up with a manual-bylaws & gave it out at a meeting some officers lost control! I explained it was a basic plan, and could be revised, and amended by the board.(all of us) they feel they should not have duties etc.
They do not want to follow rules, they do not want to have accountability. Was I wrong to start this process? Who has the right to start by-laws if officers feel they are not needed? Can the staff of the school request by-laws?

Not wrong to start the process but perhaps a way to make it a more cooperative process is to put it into a committee. I think most of us believe bylaws are improtant but if they are fashion by just one person then they can become more of a personal mandate than a guide for governing your organization. I'd regroup and set up a committee to look at the issue of by laws and have them developed for all to approve.

d

I agree with dlf about the group effort. I believe you were right, as president, to initiate the process. From here, consider turning it over to a Bylaws Committee. Their duties should include (but not necessarily limited to):

1. Reviewing sample bylaws (there are plenty on the File Exchange here)
2. Becoming familiar with Roberts Rules of Order
3. Discussing views with the administration, staff and officers
4. Drafting a preliminary set of bylaws for review
5. Calling a special meeting of officers, principal and teacher reps to present the draft for review
6. Adjusting the draft based on feedback
7. Submitting the bylaws for a vote

Ideally, your Bylaws Committee will consist of three to five people, including one staff representative. The committee should be allowed to work independently with outside input being provided only when requested.

Since your group has never had bylaws before, this process could take the remainder of the school year. That's fine, and also very nicely sets up next year's board.

Until then, I would recommend you and your officers agree on a list of Policies and Procedures to get you through the rest of this year. While they aren't official bylaws, it does give everyone the same set of expectations.

In addition to the above advice, you may want to raise the issue of utilizing the services of a parliamentarian to help draft/explain the by-laws since your group is so far "out of whack" that expert advise may be necessary to smooth the transition and eliminate objections. You can find a list of parliamentary resources on The Official Robert's Rules Of Order Web Site

Thank you! It is nice to hear positive, and constructive feedback! This can feel like a lonely road sometimes. I don't know if I am up for it some days!

Since your group has never had bylaws before, this process could take the remainder of the school year. That's fine, and also very nicely sets up next year's board.

This might help with the complaint by the current officers that they're getting assigned duties they hadn't originally signed up for. Eg, our by-laws were just revised to list the 3 forms that have to be filed for the IRS and state government, and no treasurer had ever done that before . So, if you can say: what *should* a treasurer be doing, and then let people know this before they get elected.