PTO elections are next week. We have a tremendous board and most are seeking re-election. Serving as president, I have given it my all and everything to lead a great executive board to accomplish many successes. We have recruited many, many volunteers who now volunteer on a regular basis, created several new annual family events, completed major projects, did the usual fundraising, run our school's afterschool program and garnered thousands of dollars in grant funds and sponsorships and just held our first annual auction that raised thousands of dollars last night.

I have treated this elected position as seriously as if it were a hired position. There is excellent communication between board members, PTO members, parents and staff. We now have solid community partnerships and enjoy excellent press coverage and support.

Myself and one other person put our names in for the 2008-09 PTO President position. The nominating committee has chosen to recommend the other candidate for the position. I have been told by a parent who served on the committee that they have absolutely no problem with the work I have done and think I do a terrific job but sometimes change is good and they felt it would be good to let someone else have a shot at the job. I have also learned it was said in the meeting that just because I am no longer president, they still want me to do all the things I'm doing now(running the afterschool program, writing grants, volunteering hundreds of hours a year.)

If the other candidate had ever served on a commitee or on the executive board, had given more than 11 hours of volunteer time this year, volunteered for any projects, or even spoken at a meeting, I would support handing over the responsibility.

HOWEVER, this is not the case. Now I am faced with a slew of parents who said they will quit the PTO, 4 out of 6 officers who will resign their board positions, and a group of parents who want to start a new group at the school if this person is elected by the majority teacher membership. We have a VERY small school and I am so afraid of what this will mean. We are on such a great roll~having rebuilt the organization. In just two years we have gotten our 501c3, written bylaws, etc and have larger schools asking our board to speak at their PTO meetings and help them build their groups.

I am devastated and so nervous about next week's election. I'm not sure if I'm here to ask advice or just vent but would love to hear any input.