Hi all,

I'm kinda new here, well I've been a lurker since last August. I would like a little help if you guys don't mind. I was on a board this past year as a new mom and came to this site and got some great ideas and wanted to do some new things at my child's school so I joined the board and present ideas to the current president.

Behind closed door she was really attentive and seemed to like the new ideas, however once we got into the meetings she acted like she didn't know what I was talking about and I eventually got the label of being a "troublemaker". I resigned from the board and went on to do some other stuff at the school with the full support of the prinicpal and vice prinicipal but it really soured me on getting involved on a board again. I couldn't believe that "adults" were actually carrying on this way and with me being in my 30's the PTO/PTA seemed to be very different from what I thought it would be. Lots of politics and backstabbing. Almost clique like.

Anyone else have any horror stories to tell and what they did about it?

Thanks

Gosh, I'm sure we all have a horror story to tell. And yes it's ridiculous that 30-ish year olds act the way they do. There's quite a squabble going on within these forums as we speak. Been through it, moved on. When it's happening to you, you think this is horrible!. But, time goes by and there is simply too much to do to stop and worry about a few people that aren't happy with you or what you are doing. If you have the support of the principal and staff you must be doing something right. And some people see that as being outdone instead of thinking "Wow, great ideas, those are sure to help our school, let's go for it!!" Sounds like you are that kind of person. Stick with it! Get back on the board. Eventually, people like you will outnumber the others.

I have many. I've begged for help like yours before. I welcomed new ideas. Some didn't work out so well and guess who got blamed, the ones that did work out got credited to the rightful person. I think that is part of it. I've also experienced people saying they would help and not showing up at all, no phone call or anything. I've been VP where the Pres's religion prevented her from doing many things, except for taking the credit that 3 or 4 other people did. That was one tough year. In the end it's not about who does what it is about how happy the kids are. They make everything worthwhile.

Thanks for your reply. I am feeling better about it.. although the bitterness comes back from time to time... You how something crosses your mind and you think about it .................................................. ....................................
Ok sorry I just had one of those moments... LOL!

I will definitely get on the new board, my child is graduating and changing schools.

Thanks

I can totally relate. My daughter (now 16) was in 1st or 2nd grade and I went to a meeting and offered an idea. Clique-o-rama. Boy did I feel out of place. Long time ago, but it kept me far, far away from any form of school parent group.
Kind of fell into the forming of a Middle School PTO 2 years ago. We did our best to not be cliquie. We have done OK. Parent interest and availability certainly not the same as elementary schools.
I guess I might try again, but I know it took me 7 years to even want to consider being in a group-many have a very negative reputation.
Good Luck.

I volunteered to do anything for 2 years before previous group got tired of people questioning them and dumped it on me. Talk about sink or swim. Then I was given Tres position because I have accounting and money management experience and I think because the only other person wanted to say she called all the shots as Pres. She kept calling all the wrong shots when she cared to do anything. A few more volunteers were recruited and were tried of her messing up and slowly voted away a lot of her freedoms and she took the hint(not soon enough) and left. Our Principal wasn't all that easy to work with but things have slowly seemed to smooth out. I alwasys tell people to hang in there and someone will hear your voice, and if it as merit, they will acknowledge you.