PTA Power Moms?
July 28th, 2008 by tsullivanWhile I certainly don’t agree with all the opinions in this linked blog post, I do think it’s very important for PTA and PTO leaders to think about impressions all the time and work to combat the too-common idea that leaders are cliquey and not open to new and/or more casual volunteers. How do you work against that impression? Check out this feature story on the “Are You a Clique?” topic and my column on why we have to actively work against this clique image.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I think it’s sad to see so many moms making generalized comments about PTA volunteers considering what benefit the parent group organization provides for their children! While surely some school’s have a PTA/PTO clique environment, I doubt this is the norm. Many of the volunteers at these schools also develop friendships with each other since it’s the same people willing to step up and help with school programs and fundraising. So becuase they make friends with each other classifies them as a “clique” because you don’t have friends at the school? Do you know why it’s the same people running all committee and board positions at the school? Because very few people step up to do it! My son’s school has a very involved parent group but getting executive board positions filled is tough– Many of the PTA leadership positions at my son’s school are filled by working moms- our PTA President and Treasurer both have full time jobs! Many PTA committee positions might only take a couple of hours per month- why don’t the complainers join in and help make a difference in their child’s school? The mom’s who are complaining appear to be PTA mom bashing out of guilt. Most volunteers at our school would also tell you they don’t have a lot of extra time- they volunteer because it’s important to the school community and children. We ALL have extra time to help our schools, you shouldn’t bash on people who choose to make volunteer work more of a priority in their lives! Why don’t you use that negative energy and help make a difference in your child’s school!
August 7th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
That was very well stated and I absolutely agree.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I agree. At my boys’ school I am VP of the PTA after only 3 years. No one wants to help neither parents or teachers, and it is a shame too. Our few volunteers which is mostly the officers work very hard at our jobs, just trying to get bugeting done is a wonder in itself. We have limited money coming in and alot going out and most of it is just for the field trips. We have some parents that will tell you up front that they paid the dues and that is it. But what they don’t understand is that the PTA spends at least $40 a child and most parents don’t support the fundraisers. Yet the complain that the children don’t get enough from the PTA, if most of them would donate just 3 hours one time during the year we would be able to reach our goals.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I wish we had more parents who truly understood your statement. My children went to a brand new school, opened for the first time last year which meant getting a PTO off the groun (a whole new set of challenges). I was appointed PTO president which I reluctanly accpeted because no other parents were willing to accept the position although they unanimoulsy agreed we needed a PTO. I’m a full-time, single mom who holds a upper managment position in a non-profit agency. Somehow, I always found time because I beleived that I owe it to my children to participate in their education. I wish parents understood that their involvement with the school does so much for their children and their emotional well-being. I started every meeting as PTO president asking the parents why they were a part of the organization. I felt it was always important to remind them why they were there. Friendships were formed, parents who may have never spoke with one another were now sharing ideas and working together. Sadly, it was always the same handful of parents. I beleive you will always have those parents who will find something to be unhappy about or a way to not participate, but there are other parents who worry about the cliques and have that stereotype of PTO/PTA’s. Those of us who “get it” are responsible for embracing everyone. Smiling and saying hello to all the new parents so that they feel welcome. Will the dilemma ever be resolved…I don’t know, but I think as long as we do our part we build a better future for our children as well as the kids our kids will have to interact with!
August 20th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I forgot to mention that I am not capable of being PTO president this year due to time and work restraints. Towards the end of the year I held several meetings asking parents to think about what would happen if we did not have a PTO. I sighted examples of how several parents were always available, spending or donating their own dollars, etc. Would you beleive that come election time no one voted!!!!!! We have no executive committee for this school year. As much as I want to say, “Okay, I’ll do it” I just can’t. I don’t know what this school year holds for my school, but it definelty speaks to the reason why we must help parents understand the importanct of the orgainzation to their children and how thier kids will benefit from every parent being involved.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Our district closed one of our buildings to combine with another. I am from the building that closed but was voted VP for this years PTO. The president and I have been working well together and have not had any problems but another PTO mom keeps telling other people that we fight all the time. How do we get her to stop? We have already been called to the principle’s office and we haven’t even had our first meeting.