Officers & Board Archive

Expert advice for parent group board members and officers—from presidents and vice presidents to secretaries and treasurers, as well as articles for volunteer coordinators. Articles with a plus sign () are available to PTO Today Plus members only.

President

Use PTO Experience To Get a Job
The skills you develop as a parent leader and school volunteer can give you an edge when going back to work.
Is It Time To Pass the Gavel?
Questions to ask yourself if you're thinking about retiring from your PTO leadership role.
Responding to Criticism
To deal with criticism effectively, leave your emotions out of the conversation.
Are You a Leader or a Manager?
Good leadership and effective management call for different skills. Depending on the situation, you'll need to decide which of those skills to employ.
Three Decisionmaking Methods
These processes for reaching a decision can help parent group leaders get past (or avoid) a stalemate.

Check out our complete library of articles for parent group presidents.

Vice President

Use PTO Experience To Get a Job
The skills you develop as a parent leader and school volunteer can give you an edge when going back to work.
Responding to Criticism
To deal with criticism effectively, leave your emotions out of the conversation.
Are You a Leader or a Manager?
Good leadership and effective management call for different skills. Depending on the situation, you'll need to decide which of those skills to employ.
Managing Personality Conflicts
Minimize conflict with insight into how different personality styles work best.
Three Decisionmaking Methods
These processes for reaching a decision can help parent group leaders get past (or avoid) a stalemate.

Check out our complete library of articles for parent group vice presidents.

Secretary

What Every Secretary Should Know
The secretary’s role is more than just taking minutes and posting the meeting agenda.
16 Tips for Executive Board Members
What you should know about representing your parent group in the community, tips for working with school support staff, and secrets for a successful transition.
Chairing a Committee: The Basics
Get organized, get the information you need, find volunteers, and start your committee on a path to success.
Keep Up With District-Level Issues
For a greater understanding of the issues facing your school, have a delegate regularly attend meetings of the school board.
Organize Your PTO Work
Parent group leaders share their favorite tips for order and efficiency.

Check out our complete library of articles for parent group secretaries.

Treasurer

New IRS Filing Requirement: E-Postcard
Starting in 2008, nonprofit organizations with less than $25,000 in gross receipts must electronically file form 990-N with the IRS.
16 Tips for Executive Board Members
What you should know about representing your parent group in the community, tips for working with school support staff, and secrets for a successful transition.
Taxes, PTOs, and the IRS
Questions about tax-exemption? Get the scoop on 501(c)(3).
5 Smart Financial Controls
Avoid unnecessary headaches with these practices to keep your assets safe and your records clean and up to date.
Dealing With Bad Checks
Many problems with check payments can be avoided by having a clear policy in place from the start.

Check out our complete library of articles for parent group treasurers.

Volunteer Coordinator

Responding to Criticism
To deal with criticism effectively, leave your emotions out of the conversation.
Multicultural Outreach: Enthusiasm Helps Build Bridges
Parent leaders demonstrated that they wanted not just a broader volunteer base but also a diverse PTO. They created real opportunities for people to take key roles and became PTO Today’s 2008 Parent Group of the Year for Outstanding Outreach to a Multicultural Parent Base.
Make New Families Feel Welcome
Holding out a helping hand when families first arrive at the school pays off in increased involvement and a stronger parent group later on.
Change Your Micromanaging Ways
Could you be a micromanager? If so, you're probably limiting involvement in your group. Here's how to lighten your grip without having everything fall apart.
16 Tips for Executive Board Members
What you should know about representing your parent group in the community, tips for working with school support staff, and secrets for a successful transition.

Check out our complete library of articles for parent group volunteer coordinators.

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