I had to say something on this one. To mykidsmom, The words thats were spoken to me "meant the same (shut up, you are just the secretary)" but they came from the President.

Maybe I am the one that is confused and I would truly like to know your opinion. I am presently the secretary. I generate the agenda and minutes of each meeting, I make all of the copies, I do all the research of any issues that are up for discussion. The prez turns to me in the meetings for me to discuss each agenda item. I was told by the other members, that I am doing both (president and secretary) jobs and she is taking the credit. They say if it were not for me, there would be no order. She would not know her head from her tail.

We had to get a separate account for the students to have yearbooks (long story). We thought it was common sense for the President and the Treasurer to go and get the account opened. The President refused. So my husband, VP, and the treasurer went and had the account opened. Afterwards she tried to take over that demanding the account number and access. We, of course, refused. Then she went and got her own receipt book and started issuing receipts as she collected money, rather than recognizing the official receipt book held by the treasurer. The treasurer re-wrote every receipt she wrote. It was a mess, she didn't know who had paid for what.

She has driven the principal crazy. She asked for a five year review which included teachers credentials and salaries. Our board never requested that and she never shared it with board. In other words, she is asking things of the school on "our behalf" that we don't even know about. She has requested budget codes for an event that we had not voted on. But she had announced th event at the middle school.

I've told you alot, but these, in my opinion, are what defines a bad president. Scooby Doo hit the nail on the head when she said, "A bad president is one that is power hungry and does things to make herself look good regardless of whether or not it is good for the kids. A very bad president is one who forgets we are here for the kids not for our own egos." These kind of people don't see the big picture because they are looking in a mirror rather than a clear piece of glass. Metzy Mom - this does not sound like the kind of person that you are.

I would like some examples of how to incorporate ousting a bad executive board member into the bylaws. Email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and fax is 205-923-3197. Thanks. MHS

I am the President of our elementary schools PTO. This will be my last year as I have decided to resign. I've often thought about how things will go next year and the following years.I have thought about making a list of all of the things I have done, to be given to anyone who might want to run for president. I honestly don't believe the majority of people understand the time, energy, creativity, etc... it takes to be a PTO President. I want the person taking my office to continue the programs I have begun, I want the membership to continue to increase, the PTO funds to grow, etc... I want these things for the children. I worked hard and don't want to see it was for nothing. Maybe making a list is what you need to do for those who have a problem with you.
Good Luck, Deb E

Good Grief Menzy!!! When did you do laundry!!!???
No really, I can only aspire to be as good as you have shown yourself to be! I figure with 18+ or so years with my current school to go I have plenty of time!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

You want an example of a 'Bad Prez' well I was the secretary for the cream of the crop last year. Not only did she begin her year accusing the Principal (whom she hates) misspending school funds AND turning in pages of 'evidence' to the police BEFORE announcing her allegations, when everything was investigated and audited ($30,000 was spent on the audit, you DO'NT want to know legal fees!!!!) the police found no wrong doing and appologized to the Principal for wasting her time BUT NEVER to this day has the former Prez EVER appologized! So in September, the membership wanted her out and spent the ENTIRE YEAR changing the by-laws to get rid of her and make sure this could never happen again. Her husband has been even worse! Power hungry, controling, always questioning every move the school board made, etc. The hardest night I endured was the night a woman joined our board meeting to ask our group a few questions about our feelings on the school etc. She was conducting a study for the school (our principal has a thing for surveys and studies) and boy did she get an ear full! In a nut shell, the topic of our books came up (they are kept by the school per the school dist. policy) and how messed up they are. I reminded them of the help we could get was just a phone call away and I liked the districts policy. Holy Cow, the treasurer not only told me to shut-up but reminded me that I ws THE SECRETARY and to finish taking notes. Well, that's the part of the conversation I can print! Did the President say anything....nope. No, our guest followed me into the next room to make sure I was okay! ANYWAY....I was voted in as Prez and her last words to me were "I'm watching you!" Little did she know, the Dean of Students was/is watching her! He asked me before Winter break what is the deal with us and I laughed and said we have a love hate friendship....I would love to know why she hates me!

You are a dream and I would love the oppertunity to serve on your board....no really.

Okay, I agree with Scooby Doo 100% of what is a bad president. You have done a very good job. As presidents we try to instill in our officers to pull through with their committments to serve on their office. I sometimes feel I expect to much from them. This past year has been the third board that I have worked with that has come together and worked hard together I am so proud of them. I feel that we are held accountable for every event that PTO sponsors because we are the leaders and we must see that it is pulled off. Yes, we make mistakes and things don't go through as you say turn into a night mare. We still have to accept the responsiblity and why because you are the PTO president it just comes with the job no matter how hard you have tried. It falls back on the Prez. You've done a terrific job and keep up the good work. It's parents like you that make the difference between and bad president and good president you will continue to be successful just don't let those bad apples get to you.

OH! I take it back. I did take some credit. We did have an event that didn't go exactly as planned. OK, it turned out to be a nightmare. I took the credit (reeming is what it was) for that fiasco so that the person who came up with the idea and the committee that planned and executed (literally...lol) it wouldn't look bad. I also meant to explain the "Coffee In The Morning" program. It wasn't every morning for everyone. It was once for each staff member. It has taken a lot of time, but it was really appreciated. I was very happy with the way it turned out. It was a simple idea that didn't cost much and went a long way towards making the staff feel special.

Thank youuuuuuuuuu Scooooooby Dooooooooooo!
It had to be you, It had to be you...I wandered around and finally found...LOL!
Seriously...I DID do a lot myself, but only when it was down to the last minute and wouldn't have gotten done otherwise. I had a "Go-To-Crew" who helped me in those crisis moments, and none of them would have thought of taking the credit either, because we are in it for the kids. I remember the first meeting I presided over. My 'words of wisdom' (and I know YOU will believe it of me...lol) were "You don't have to like me. You just have to know that I have 751 children attending school here and I love them all". As it turns out, some of them really DON'T like me...lol...! Hey Scooby, got any advice on how to lose gracefully to a woman who is going to purchase all of our future supplies out of her store at a pretty good mark-up? Isn't there some kind of regulation in the 501c3 rules that says that can't be done? A PTO Officer shouldn't be able to make money off the organization, should they? :confused: