First let me say that I'm glad people are responding favorably to this post. Please look farther down the list and respond to my Battling A Current VP!!! OK...Here Goes: Pres88-Go Home And Love Your Wife...LOL... ThePhoenix-Bylaws can be changed/amended usually by a majority vote which should be covered in your bylaws and enjoy another year as the pres... Chrystal-My Grandma said that 40 years ago, you aren't a sucker, tell them you'll be vice pres... and JHB-You go girl! I have received a few notes in my email regarding this subject and it appears that it isn't unusual for a PTVO President to be unpopular with either the parents or the staff...I just happen to be unpoopular with some of the parents...I have been dreading even making the decision of whether or not to run again, but now find that, with some soul searching, I LOVE being president and until someone comes along who can do the job correctly, I will probably be in the position for awhile. I think the hardest qualification is finding someone who will realize that as a parent, I have 2 children... as PTVO President, I have 751 children and truly, I do love them all.

I agree, this is a great topic. Our situation is like Crystals - max of two terms unless approved by special vote.

I'm not Miss Popularity all the time, and I make my fair share of mistakes, but, like TheMetzyMom, I've worked really hard these last two years and it shows. Our Board has done wonderful things, and the Principal, teachers, and many of the officers would like me to go stay on as President.(Actually, the principal is willing to let up on the pressure if I run for school board instead. No way!!)

Anyway, I agree with all of you. On one hand, I too "am done" and it's time for someone else's turn. On the other, it's hard to let go of it all - especially when there's not a viable candidate waiting in the wings.

However (and this is just me, in my situation), I really think we should enforce the two year limits, if possible at our school. There are other great parents out there that will come forward. It's going to be hard to watch things change (at least if they regress), but so be it.

As "Past President" I'll still have a place on the Board, even if I don't take another office. I'm sure I'm going to have to bite my tongue a lot not to give too much advice, but I'm going to give it my best shot.

I work at a pretty challenging job, and my kids seem to be in every extra curricular activity on the planet. But, so far I've managed to find time for PTO (those 11pm-2am hours can be so productive...), and I think I still want to stay involved in another capacity. My goal is to wait for the dust to settle after nominations, see where the gaps are, and then figure out how else I might serve in a lessor role.

Good luck to all of you!

What a great post subject...I have been President for two years now and according to our by-laws I should be done, but there is a stipulation that say's by the vote of the executive board a person can run for more terms. The problem is my heart isn't in it anymore. I would love to see someone new step up, but all I hear is you do such a wonderful job, while I'm thinking, "No...I'm the only one standing here with SUCKER stamped on my forehead". I don't want to leave the group without a President but I have been begging people to consider it since September. On a funny note did I read a "Kid Rock" lyric in the original post....It ain't bragging ** if you back it up :eek:

Okay, I'm a "newbie" and have a question. I've been PTO president of an extremely strong organization for the past two years. I was looking forward to being "just a parent" next year but most of our 14-member board, the teachers and quite a few parents have asked me to stay on for another year. PROBLEM: By-laws prohibit more than a two-year term, and there is one other board member wanting to be president but she is without the experience and aptitudes required to fulfiull the duties. The majority of the board has advised me that if I don't remain, they'll be compelled to move on. Teachers, board members and parents alike are pressuring me to remain in this position. I don't mind the staying and finishing some projects that we've started as a team, but is it proper to remain beyond the specified time limits?
Is it proper for the board to amend the bylaws to allow for more than two terms? Should I remove myself from this discussion and let the board (and subsequently, the general memberhsip) decide the issue? Should I just say the heck with it, finish my second year and go boogie? There has never been a contested race in the 11 year history of our school, and there's every indication from my resources that a contested race creates animosity and bruised egos. I want this group of people to keep doing the great job they've done with or without me, but I feel somewhat responsible to them to finish what we started.
Opinions?

[ 02-12-2002: Message edited by: the phoenix ]</p>

Well, well well what to do?

I am in my 2nd two year term. The principal wants me to run again but my wife will devorse me if I do. So guess what I am doing!!!

Running

Just kidding.

I will be stepping down at the end of the year and it is hard to think that everything that I set up over 4years could change. The good thing is that most things will take a vote to change so it could be hard. In addition, i am keeping some of the things that I chair like fund raising and school spirit. This way i will still be able to go in and see the kids.

My only other fear, unlike you, is I do not know if anyone will come forward to run so we will see.

As far as spending money, for me it has been easy because the pres before me held tons of fund raisers but never spent the money so I have been spending for 4 years.

OK. Who is going to run again? What kind of problems are you facing that makes this a tough decision for you? I myself am trying to decide and know that I am not the only one trying to make up his/her mind. I am faced with wanting to because I know I did an outstanding job this last year (it isn't bragging if you can back it up) and the principal and 99% of the staff would like me to head up another year. Some of the parents, on the other hand, would like to see me burn in, well, you know... I have had to deal with an ugly vice president (argumentative, uncooperative, if-it-isn't-her-idea-it-isn't-any-good-and-what-the-heck-is-a-budget kind of gal) who is going to run for the president position (OMG I don't want to lose to her...snivel-whine-snivel) and, if she isn't enough, there is the guy who thinks we ought to keep every dime that we raise for a rainy day (this guy thinks books for the library are a frivolous purchase... it isn't like we're purchasing leather bound, author signed, first editions of the classics, we are talking library-bound-take-them-home-and-read-them books used by K-6 grades... and we needed new ones badly). I have to say that my problem lies with the fact that I am terrified oflosing to either of these fine candidates and then A)having to stand by while they destroy our PTVO or B)having to keep 2 steps behind them picking up the pieces and making them work or C)having to listen to them shoot everyone elses ideas down. Anyone got any suggestions? Comments?