why do some PTAs have closed meetings during the day?

[Anonymous]

Our school is seeking board members for next year, but the board meets every other month during the work day. They're excluding a large population of people who could serve on the board by doing this! Do they not want working parents on their board? I'm unlikely to volunteer at all next year if this is how they feel. Really, really disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school is seeking board members for next year, but the board meets every other month during the work day. They're excluding a large population of people who could serve on the board by doing this! Do they not want working parents on their board? I'm unlikely to volunteer at all next year if this is how they feel. Really, really disappointed.

Is it set in stone that is when they meet? Is it possible the Board, once set, determines the time?

[Anonymous]

If you want the meeting moved, why don’t you step up and volunteer for a board position?

We have plenty of FT working parents who serve on the board at our McLean ES. They zoom into the meetings if needed.

Stop trying to find ways to get out of volunteer obligations.

[Anonymous]

We used to alternate daytime and evening meetings. Neither were well attended.

[Anonymous]

Our PTA used to meet every other month during the day / and every other month in the evening.

I joined the nominating committee and staffed so many working parents on the exec board members that all of our meetings moved to the evening and have been like that for years now.

Be the change you want to see! Maybe say you can join Exec board if meetings are evening only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used to alternate daytime and evening meetings. Neither were well attended.

Same here. Now we have some many more people attend on Zoom we never moved back to in person because we want the more people.

[Anonymous]

Usually, there is a board meeting and then a separate general meeting. Each board can set the time that is best for them. We've done them at varied times depending on who was on the board and their schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want the meeting moved, why don’t you step up and volunteer for a board position?

We have plenty of FT working parents who serve on the board at our McLean ES. They zoom into the meetings if needed.

Stop trying to find ways to get out of volunteer obligations.

Is there something wrong with you? I want to volunteer, but the meetings are in the middle of the work day. Excuse me that I cannot take an hour out of my work day to zoom into a PTA meeting. It's not an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school is seeking board members for next year, but the board meets every other month during the work day. They're excluding a large population of people who could serve on the board by doing this! Do they not want working parents on their board? I'm unlikely to volunteer at all next year if this is how they feel. Really, really disappointed.

Look at the National and Virginia PTAs bylaws (which the local PTAs have to abide by). They are not allowed to have 'closed' meetings unless it is for Executive Session. Even then, there are limits. The Virginia PTA requires all member PTAs to follow the same bylaws. Those matters not covered by the bylaws, follow Roberts Rules.

The state and county PTA violate their own bylaws all the time, and the only recourse as a member is to sue. What you will discover is that the PTA is a nonstock corporation. The state PTA has disputed this in the past, which means, that if it is not a nonstock corporation, one can sue individual members of the board for failing to abide by their fiduciary duty.

[Anonymous]

Tell them it’s not very inclusive or equitable.

That should do it.

[Anonymous]

Not aware of all these rules but I guess it's a PTO. parent teacher organization. So they can get away with exclusion.

[Anonymous]

If it's Zoom then there's likely a revirdingvor at least a list of the minutes.

Start there and if something piques your interest go from there.

It could also be the different commiittees meet at different times. I wouldn't write-off PTA completely simy b/c you saw the general mtg is in the day time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's Zoom then there's likely a revirdingvor at least a list of the minutes.

Start there and if something piques your interest go from there.

It could also be the different commiittees meet at different times. I wouldn't write-off PTA completely simy b/c you saw the general mtg is in the day time.

there's likely a "recording" at least...^^^

[Anonymous]

Why is this in the FCPS forum? There are PTAs all over the country. This isn’t an FCPS issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school is seeking board members for next year, but the board meets every other month during the work day. They're excluding a large population of people who could serve on the board by doing this! Do they not want working parents on their board? I'm unlikely to volunteer at all next year if this is how they feel. Really, really disappointed.

Look at the National and Virginia PTAs bylaws (which the local PTAs have to abide by). They are not allowed to have 'closed' meetings unless it is for Executive Session. Even then, there are limits. The Virginia PTA requires all member PTAs to follow the same bylaws. Those matters not covered by the bylaws, follow Roberts Rules.

The state and county PTA violate their own bylaws all the time, and the only recourse as a member is to sue. What you will discover is that the PTA is a nonstock corporation. The state PTA has disputed this in the past, which means, that if it is not a nonstock corporation, one can sue individual members of the board for failing to abide by their fiduciary duty.

Suing the PTA seems like an unnecessary and extreme step. The PTA is a volunteer organization. If you don’t like what’s happening on your PTA, then you need to show up and put in the work. Otherwise, it’s best just to say “thank you” to the parents who put in the work for the benefit of the whole school, including your kid.