I felt so bad about my PTO situation that I couldn't sleep tonight and I am so glad that I found this message board! Thank God! Everything you all are saying totally is clicking with the situations that I am dealing with--I feel better already!!

Please listen to this story and respond.

I had never done much volunteering at school until last year when I got heavily involved in our school's 50th Anniv. It was a ton of work but made me want to volunteer more b/c I made some good friends through volunteering.

When the person who was supposed to be President decided that she couldn't do it b/c she was going back to work she asked me if I would do it (she had already been turned down by about 5 people) I work full-time but she seemed so desperate to find someone that I agreed (I know sucker!!)

Our school is in a "high-end" neighborhood where alot of women are well and fully supported by their professional husbands, and basically lead fairly pampered lives. My husband and I share the same professional and we both work full-time and we both do childcare work etc. We are partners in everything. We are very busy.

I am having trouble dealing with the differences in the way that the families do things in terms of working on the PTO. Because I work I have to plan things pretty carefully, while these other people have much more flexible time. It is hard to light a fire under them. THey don't check their emails except occasionally, they don't turn on their answering machines or answer the phones and they leave home to take trips all the time. It's basically a nightmare trying to coordinate even things with my treasurer b/c she is always unavailable.

I feel like I want to quit but I wasn't raised to be a quitter.

I've seen Bertha open her can of whoop-ass -- a sight truly to behold and appreciated

Sad, but true--being president (or "in charge") means you WILL always manage to p!ss someone off. I'm a firm believer that while I may not be THE most important person involved (though I beg to differ )this does not mean I'm LESS important than others either, nor do they have the right to take advantage of or disprespect me. This, in essence, seems to be what this woman is doing to you. So absolutely "take over," then sit this woman down and let her know WHY you did it. That it wasn't some arbitrary power-trip of yours -- that it was down for very specific reasons. If she doesn't like it, tough--let HER be president next time around and see how she likes having to answer for her inactions in a more public forum!

I talked to the chairperson she said she "worked" it out with the principal. So when I went to the principal she said she hadn't talked to her since the first time she originally asked about switching the date.
I informed the pricipal of the situation and she totally understood and said that anything that comes in will have to have PTO Pres approval from her. SO it went well with the principal at least!!!!


Cindy

Unfortunately We had all new officers this year and not too many offered up their time being chairpersons. I was'nt too familiar with the woman and she was the only one who signed up for these events.
Lets just say next year when I run again. I'm going to make sure she only gets on certain things.
This is how we did our chairpersons. Let me know if you choose differently.
At one meeting usually at the end of the school year we choose our officers and then we have a list of things for the upcoming school year to chair. THen each event comes up, someone raises there hand if they want to chair and we vote on it. We only had a few people at the meeting and some events still have no chairs.

I'm not usually a pushover at all, but I didnt want to step on toes my first year as pres. But this lady is just too much for me.UGH But I guess I should be happy that she is the only one and I get along very well with everyone else.

Cindy

PS SHe knew what was expected of her, why she changed the dates I'm not sure of at all. Or why she did any of the other things who knows!!!!!
I guess in my procedure books I will have to include do not change dates, contracts, etc.

boy, just reread my post and do I have to tell you, I just can't type today. I have to get my nails cut down..... sorry for the typo's

Hi Steven, Our chair people are appointed by the officers, not the Pres. We sit down see who signed up for what and pick from there. It goes by majoriy vote.

Now when voted in our replacement for fundraising chair, the treasurer and I put our foots down and told the rest who we wanted and why. This is because the two of us have to work very closely with this person and if she screws up we have to fix it. And since ultimately everything falls on my shoulders, it's my way always!