My Tip of the Week: Three Ways to Find Support

One of the cruel twists of running a school parent group is that while you are often surrounded by hundreds at school or school events, the actual leadership job can be fairly isolating. Very few people can relate to the unique challenges of managing a group, avoiding drama, handling a principal, running successful events, and more, all within a school setting. That isolation can lead to burnout.

by Tim Sullivan

02/07/2016

That's why I highly recommend that all PTO and PTA leaders find some outlets for sharing the challenge with other folks who can empathize. Hearing you're not alone, understanding you're doing a good job, keeping your chin up -- those things all can help you make a difference for the long term at your school. It's OK to need support.

My tip this week -- three ways to find that support:

Check out the vibrant communities on ptotoday.com and on our PTO Today Facebook page . Thousands of leaders sharing ideas and solutions (and occasional frustrations) that only other leaders really understand.

Create your own group of leaders locally. Reach out to some other local schools and their officers and schedule a monthly coffee. I wrote a column called ''Get Out and Smell the Coffee'' on this subject a while back.

Finally, check out our 2012 PTO Expos coming this spring. We're bringing our unique brand of fun and idea-sharing -- and, yes, empathy -- to 14 cities from February through April. And right now, we even have a 2-for-1 special on our already very inexpensive (just $10) ticket prices. Learn more about the Expos (and sign up!) here.