2children,
You go Girl!! Amen to your comments!! Before I was the prez our PTO meeting would go for 3 LONG hours with very little accomplished and a fair share of bashing. No wonder why people quit coming. Now that I am Prez, I don't have time. At our last meeting, we went through 25 items in 50 minutes! And we didn't gossip about anyone.
Jat - If you want to do something new, it may be in your best interest to find a parent that is 'new'. One that is not tied up in the garbage. This would be easier on you. Just let your new parent know that they have your support. (You are the one in charge you know.) If your board attempts to humilate you again, you will need to stop it immediately. Offer, directly to the 'mouth', that you would be more than happy to meet with them after the meeting to discuss any issues however this is not the time or the place. Business (PTO) conflicts are a part of life that you will have to learn to deal with however, personal conflicts should not be handled at a business (PTO) meeting. Good Luck and be strong! Change is good, some people just can't handle change well.
I had this same type of problem also. At my last meeting I put myself on the agenda to speak, after getting wonderful advice from this discussion forum! I flat out told them that the comments I had heard through the grapevine, and we all know how reliable that grapevine is, were unreal!!! I learned a long time ago, and I'm not sure who said this to me but it has stuck in my head, that the person who thinks by the inch, and talks by the yard, deserves to be kicked by the foot! I read them the poem by Joy Hall Bryant that was in the PTOtoday about being president as a result of raising her hand. (That was me) Yes, I raised my hand, I told them that I accepeted this position and I also realize that with the position of President, Secratary, Treasurer etc. that the people who aren't happy will take pot shots at you, unfortunatly it comes with the teritory. However, I am not into low down, dirty, double crossing, back stabbing, brown nosing, two faced bologna! And these are definitly not skills I want to instill in my children, and that is why I am here. I'm not here to impress you. I am here because I have two children that attend this school, and I intend to make their school years good ones!
We had a really good meeting after that! We may even have more people at our next meeting when the word gets out the new presidnet speaks her mind!
If the by-laws do not state that meetings will be run according to Roberts Rules, then the President presides, that is, the meetings operate according to how the prez wants them to. No kidding! (I've worked a lot with some expert parliamentarians and learned the hard way while starting a neighborhood association). If the by-laws state Roberts will be used, then use them. Roberts also includes a lot about by-laws that you should learn about. Make sure you are legally prez, and recorded in the minutes, before you take hard actions.
One good idea I've picked up on this forum is to be sure your Executive Board is also well versed on Robert's Rules. That way they can really assist you in keeping things moving.
I'm fortunate in that our meetings can be informal and productive. We're lucky!
Hang in there JAT! Stick to Robert's Rules of Order and everything will be ok. Actually that group of people who upset you so much can be sighted for being out of order. I am in a similar situation and I only received a few wise cracks from my peanut gallery. Be prepared for every meeting. Do a team building event. Remind everyone why they are there..FOR THIER CHILDREN! Stay strong!
I am President this year of my PTO and have been a board member for past three years. I got to be President because our PTO can not attract new board members and I am the fool who agreed to take the position. I am the first President in many years that is not part of a group that has contolled the board Exceutive and chair positions. This group wanted no changes and if something became difficult they just stop doing it (Santa's Shop, Spring Carnival scraped)After I agreed to be President I wanted to change this. Then at the first meeting this group totally humilated me. For the past 3 year our meetings have been informal and we never voted using Robert's Rules on anything (not even to accept thisyears budget). But at this meeting we had to vote on everything according to Robert's Rule, which I knew something about but was not totally sure of wording motions. These women also sat and made comments about everything I was doing or saying. I was so shocked because I had worked very hard last spring to try and attract new members that were not in this circle of women. I feel like I looked like a fool and am not sure how to handle this. How can I establish that am president and not the fool?
