I have recently gone through a whoorlwind of title changes in my first ever PTO experience. I have gone from secretary to Vice President to President all in one year. Although I appreciate the oppurtunity to show my skills, I have found that being the mediator has become a really tedious task. I have several teachers that come to me with their concerns as well as parents and students. I love the school, however I find it hard to addresss certain issues due to feeling that it may create a rift in the relationship between the PTO and the Administrators. I feel as if I am not being effective by not sharing these concerns. I am truly lost and it is taking a tole on my momentum. Please help!!!

This is a little difficult to answer without some more details. In the various parent groups I've been involved with, though, we generally take a pretty hands off approach to issues of school policy, instead referring them to the principal. If a lot of parents bring up something that's a school policy issue, I might mention the concerns I've heard to the principal and suggest she hold a parent coffee or other forum to talk to parents about it. I can't think of a time where I've had to mediate between teachers and the administration; any topics where that might come up seem to be outside the purview of the parent group. How many hours a week do you spend in school? I think I'm in one of my schools a lot (say 3x/week on average), but I don't think I have enough of a relationship with the teachers where any would ask the parent group to take a stand on an issue contrary to what they think the administration might want to do.

Well, this being my second year as our PTG president, and after two years of being secretary, I will try to council.
When it concerns school policy, definately pass to the principal. The policy is there to guide him or her, and it is a great way to answer without putting any emotion into it. If teachers and or parents are coming to the board for money, your role as moderator is to keep the meeting on task and to guide the board to a decision. This is harder to to without emotions leaking in and tainting our feelings. Then I turn to our mission statement. It states roughly that the PTG is in place to support students by offering academic, cultural, and other opportunities that will enrich their lives. While also working to maintain a strong bond and communication with family and school, and community. So if what they are asking of you and the board does not comply with your mission then you may table it and think on it, or just simply say that their request does not fit into what the boards mission is, and maybe suggest another venue...town, school board, or other support group.
Also WE have a policy that states before a teacher comes to the board requesting funds or materials that they first check with administration and make sure that the budget can not support them, we then ask for this info in writing. So make sure you defer what you can to policy or mission and then hash the rest out with the board and take a vote. You shouldn't feel like you have to give them what they want...how many kids will it reach? Can you support them in their own fundraising efforts?

Please contact me if you want further assistance..I don't mind, and I know what it feels like to lose momentum!

lorimae1@gmail.com