PTO's are
associated with schools. They are listed as a separate entity from schools (having their own nonprofit ID# is kinda proof of that don't you think?), and under IRS regs, carry their own codes, rules and responsibilities. They are business organizations, albeit, non-profit ones. Same kind of animal. That was not the point I was trying to make with my earlier post.
Schools have to pay for things that PTO's don't always consider. Copy machine ink, paper, staff time, etc. Yet they let PTO's use these things without ever saying so much as boo. During the month of December, most school staff members are trying to tie up loose ends before winter break in addition to their everyday jobs. No where in the original post did I see where the office manager (or anyone else in the office, principal included) was asked before being volunteered by their parent group to help.
What I did see was very little, let's see - how did Lee32 put it in his/her last post, last sentence?
What we all should expect is a certain level of respect and courtesy in our workplace, whether we are paid for our time or not.
Doesn't that include the office staff?
What followed the original post was a premium bashing of administrative departments and personnel (not everyone felt that way, but just about). I just don't understand how anyone can complain about someone not being able to help out for free and then complain about them not doing the job the poster thinks they should be doing. I worked in casinos for many years. Dealers get sloppy when bosses are lax. When a new boss comes in, or an exsisting boss gets his/her butt chewed by the higher ups, suddenly following the rules, everyone says 'But that's not the way we've been doing it'. Fact is, that is how it was supposed to have been being done all along. Just because someone is suddenly following the rules, doesn't mean the rules weren't in place before. Bashing someone for following the rules? Doesn't that kinda tick you off when you really think about it? Whether it is the original poster (by the way MyKidsMom, I don't think it's you) or the office manager who is being very high schoolish, it's still very that, high schoolish. I personally think the office manager is going overboard, probably resents MyKidsMom's position in the school and is being extremely nasty. I base that thought on the fact that MyKidsMom has been a wonderful poster on this site and doesn't usually have trouble with her school, instead usually giving great advice to others. But that's just my opinion.
Like it or not, the office manager runs that show. And she has the authority to do so. Sucks, but there it is. My guess is she is following rules after something bad happened at the school that you and I know nothing about. It is possible that the school had some kind of crisis and just didn't see a need to discuss it with the parent group. Regardless, the rules are now being adhered to.
As for my comments about looking for a pat on the back, read again through the entire thread, paying close attention to some of the posts especially after IMovePeople's post. Volunteering can be a thankless job; we all know this. But how many of us got into our respective groups looking for thank you's?
I really think that MyKidsMom was just looking to vent a little bit and some good folks thought the admin bashing wagon was passing by and just jumped on for the ride...lol... I just hate to see folks who work so hard be bashed for following the rules... you know what I mean?
(PS-
Well Done to you and your group for helping those 11 families at Christmas. It's always nice to know you've helped families who were really in need.)
