Just off the cuff here but... If I were in this situation as a newcomer to the school I might take the opportunity to sit back, relish in my lack of responsibilities for the first year, and probably try to be a "good guest". After all if I had changed my childrens school because of a move or something I would be in the same boat. I realize the problem here is that there are many people who are "guests".
Remember in any association everyone has but one vote. Even in your old school you had just one vote.
I would let the board and chairs function as they have and volunteer until I am blue. If there is something that you would like to do you surely have the right to make a motion at a meeting to introduce it. You are not powerless just maybe outnumbered right now. On the other hand I would not monopolize each meeting with new things for them.
I am sure this is a difficult time for all the parents and your continued involvement will be essential for elections next year.
i'm not sure about the RRO issue, although I believe if you need to hold an election, there shold not be a problem. Check RobertsRule.com
they have a forum there too where questions are answered by parlementarians.
Otherwise is there a way the officers can combine into one and share duties. I realize the office of Prez is the one to be the hardest to compromise on. My thought is would some of these people be willing to head chair committees keeping an involved status and still on the board.
There is going to be a need to build and amend by-laws but the most important is to remember the students! Parents fighting doesn't help the kids.
I hope this helps and I am sorry about my spelling, I was playing a computer game with my daughter and I think I killed a couple brain cells!!
Keep us informed!
Our school district reorganized the school causing a change in the number of PTO in the elementary structure. They combined 5 schools into 3 schools. All of the PTO's have adopted Robert's Rules of Order. All the PTO's held their elections in the spring of last year before the reorganization. Now no one wants to have a new election to give the incoming parents a chance to vote on and/or possibly elect a member from the newcomers. These newcomers have no voice or representation on the board. The building principle has indicated that they can not have a new election because of Robert's Rules of Order. Is this correct. Please help!
