Thanks for the venting....I enjoyed reading it!

Market Day....Our school has a fabulous woman that coordinates it (I hope she isn't one of the venters, but wouldn't hold it against her if she is.)

Our school started using High School volunteers to help get the food out each month. They do it for graduation requirements. You might want to see if this is an option for your schools. Everything is ready early, and she doesn't have to call as many parents to volunteer each month. I did this last year, while carrying my baby on my back with my other two little ones running around crazy. This year, I stopped since the baby was now walking and wouldn't stay in the area. (You wouldn't believe the number of people who stood around while I tried to hussle with the baby backpack!!!) Some people just don't do the volunteer thing.

I think April should be renamed National PTO Officer Burnout Month. It seems this time of year our group goes through the same emotions. So we tried something new this year~ we scheduled our biggest fundraiser ever - the 1st Annual Black Fly Ball. It's a dinner, dance, auction for ADULTS only. We are hoping several things will come of this:
*Raise lots of money and increase community partnerships by hosting an event that appeals not only to those with kids in the school but the greater community
*Keep our PTO Officers so busy and excited they don't have time to notice the folks more concerned about the endangered emu than their own children's elementary school experience
*HAVE FUN at an event that is about caring about other people's children but not taking care of them
I love my job, I love my job, I love my job
Thank you for having a place we can vent with others who are in the same boat. Time to put on my happy face and head over to school to lead the afterschool program.

I totally agree and while I'm just getting started, PTO has turned out to be quite a passion. Even I'm astonished! Next year, I'll be the PTO President and I've only been doing this for 4 months. I'm gonna pat myself on the back here, but I'm pretty proud that I've taken our PTO group from only four members who do EVERYTHING (3 of which are moving on with their children next year) to 11 active members for next year, in the space of a month! Not too shabby! And I owe it all to the great ideas I found on this website and a great friend I met on these posts!

But what do I get? Because I'm a stay at home mom, the steps I have taken are have been denigrated to: "Well, if I could stay home all day . . ." That kills me! Should I mention that I have 6 kiddos, am an all-around secretary and book keeper for my husband's business and next week coaching Little League begins? Grrrrr! LOL If that's not a full time job I don't know what is -so I can stay in my PJs all day if I want - I'm always working!

Just because we have the passion and take the time to do these things for our kids people assume we have nothing else going on. Lots of PTO members have the time because we MAKE the time. That's the difference. Its all about priorities! When people say I must have a lot of time on my hands, what I want to say is, "Come live at MY house!" LOL

I have the same issue with Market Day as well. I am the only one who ever shows up with my 2 sons, 4th grade and 6th grade. We are the ONLY 3 that ever come to Market Day simply because our volunteer list has gotten to the point where they don't even answer the phone anymore for fear of having to come and help out.
What gets me is the same situation as you, we are there busting our butts trying to get this stuff ready. Pick up is not until 5:30pm, the truck drops everything off at 4:30pm and parents will start coming at 4:35 and sit there and gripe the whole time.
I have one parent that is the worst. She has to be one of the rudest people I have ever met. I finally told her point blank....pickup is NOT until 5:30pm and once everything is bagged up and ready for double check, THEN we will start handing out orders. I also informed her that I was not getting paid to be there, that I was taking time away from my family and enlisting my boys into child labor so that she could be rude to me.
I just will never understand people.
Angi

Rockne;142456 wrote: Or maybe they're running an online campaign to save the endangered Bolivian emu.

What? The Bolivian emu is endangered?!?!

Seriously, what's endangered is the parent volunteer. So many more things are pulling at people's time and energy these days. The result is that the few who have the time and the desire to volunteer at school are overloaded to the breaking point we see in this thread.

Luckily, we have a place like this to blow off some steam and commiserate with fellow weary travelers. I think I've experienced things from each of these posts!

Great article, Tim. If we can incorporate some of your "sales" techniques into our parent groups, we can avoid the "guilt" technique.

Rockne;142456 wrote: This is an interesting thread, and I completely understand where the emotion comes from and I'm glad these boards can be a place for leaders to find out they're not alone.....

But...

I can't help but jump in with a word of caution. As we try so hard to grow involvement, we have to work really hard to never let this tone (undertone or overt tone) seep into our recruiting efforts or involvement-building tries. And it's really easy for it to seep in. That one time when you're especially tired or frustrated -- that's the time you have to work harder to not let it seep in. I can only imagine the damage the harangue against that teacher (as good as I'm sure it felt) has done to the perception of your group and your relationship with teachers....

While I completely understand and appreciate your concern perhaps another way to look at it is...

I don't think anyone is stating they are better then someone else. However, here is a safe place to vent about the frustrations of being a volunteer in general. Especially, when at times it isn't a position that was ever wanted but more so thrust upon someone for their assorted skills, values, etc.

Frustrations happen in every aspect of life, from the PTO to saving the Bolivian Emu, and addressing it here (or on the Bolivian emu board), with people who are able to understand the difficulties being faced with that calling is better then stating it to those causing the frustration... which would, most likely, happen sooner or later without another pressure point outlet.

Everyone needs to release a bit of pressure at some point to be able to keep "smiling and waving."