Mark - get involved! It can only be a benefit to your child's (children's) education!
As for bylaws - each individual PTO formulate it's own bylaws. The organization at your school should be able and willing to provide you with a copy of those bylaws. I have seen groups that have none, groups that have a short list, and some that could write an encyclopedia version. It is all a matter of the preference of the group that started the organization. If your group has none - perhaps you could assist them in preparing them in which case come on back and lots of us will be happy to share with you what we have.
As for the struggles of members - I can't really address that other to say that any organization from a family unit to the government of our country has its struggles. My goal with our new school, new PTO this year is to keep as much of the personality out and keep the reason we exist as our focus. I know that even I am being naive thinking I'm going to be able to accomplish that 100% of the time - but it's my goal for the year - to keep harmony by remembering why we are there!
Good luck in your quest for information and again - GET INVOLVED!
Great topics here … My wife and I are about ready to commit ourselves to our schools PTO. What I am looking for in advance is an education on rules, roles and charter of a functioning PTO. Based on what I have be able to discern, out of this message board, is that there is/are guidelines and by-laws. First, where can I go to review and educate myself on those? There has been a catalyst that has sparked our interest so we want to understand the structure and daily challenges faced by our board members so we avoid the two C’s ( criticize and condemn). Second, what would make our involvement the most effective? As seasoned PTO/PTA leaders & members I’m sure that you all have had the thought of “I wish parents would be more like or provide more….” So any insight into where we can be most effective would be appreciated.
On more of a general note. Why does there seem to be so much contention around these bodies. Should this not be a fun exercise with the purpose of further enabling enrichment activities for our children and increasing the level of involvement of parents abroad? From what I have seen and read it really looks like small power struggles in a lot of cases. Is this the exception or am I just naïve to this structure? Well .. I can answer the naïve question .. or I wouldn’t be asking for a little guidance and reference material.
