PTA can't find new officers

[Anonymous]

I'm a soon-to-be Rustin parent who attended the PTA meeting with the contested elections.

I loved that one dad said "If my kid can do something new, so can I." He didn't win, but I bet he'll help out next year.

PTAs need to be aware of the way they come off clique-y. I volunteered for an event at my current home school and offered several suggestions -- and yes, I offered to implement them at an in-person meeting, because I had run a similar event at my preschool. Several other committee members also volunteered their ideas and their time. But then the PTA board member took the ideas back to the full board, and I guess they decided to do all implementation themselves. A few weeks later (with no communication in between), the board member sent out an email laying out how the event would go. I was surprised that a committee had been convened and asked to volunteer, but then the PTA board took over.

It's that kind of thing that PTAs need to be more self-aware about.

One other example. My school sends out a sign-up genius for various teacher appreciation breakfasts/lunches. I often click on them within 15 minutes of them being posted on Facebook. By that time, 90 to 100% of the slots are filled with 5-6 moms filling multiple slots. It makes me suspect that there is a clique of moms who plan these events and want all the credit, and don't actually want anyone else to help. Maybe I'm completely wrong, but I'd like to do something for the teachers other than bring a bag of ice.

If people at your school are not stepping up, think about how you are coming across and whether the current leadership is doing enough to be inclusive.

[Anonymous]

I was a PTA president and I think that MCCPTA is a big part of the problem. We came from a system where the home school was not part of the bureaucratic National / MD / Montgomery County PTA. It was so much easier!

MCCPTA has way too many rules and makes it more complicated. As president, you spend too much time guiding people through the maze os SoCa requirements, membership reporting, paying dues up to MCCPTA, and heaven help you if you need to update your bylaws. Even if you are changing nothing in your bylaws, the update process is ridiculous. The Reflections art program is not worth the level of complexity that MCCPTA has created. The training is bad and MCCPTA officers have given out bad accounting practice advice or said contradictory things before which sends officers into a state of confusion. The kicker to all this is that MCCPTA often has problems filling its own positions. The year I was president MCCPTA's treasurer was AWOL half the time and useless in helping our treasurer,

The second problem is that too many parents get stuck thinking if its been done in the past then it must be done again. It doesn't. It really doesn't. If no one wants to run an event, its OK not to have that event for that year. If you don't raise enough money for something, it doesn't get bought. There is often too much pressure from the principals to fill up their slush funds and too many parents who crumble at any passive aggressive guilt.

The third problem is what others have touched on by parents who volunteer having a bad experience. Some of this is on the parent volunteering. Some parents see this as a way to make friends and have fun, while others just see it as a chance to help out. The ones that don't have any expectations to get something out of it other than helping out usually stick around and aren't disappointed. The ones who are dying to let their inner Martha Stewart loose, make a new set of BFFs for life at one event, or want to play CEO are often annoyed and aggravate the other volunteers who run for the hills.

The fourth problem is that you are often left with a small handful of capable parents and a large amount of crazies who couldn't manage their way out of a paper bag. As president, its important to be nice to everyone and encourage everyone to take a role they are comfortable accepting but boy some people are really just idiots or obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

I will also say this: Rustin is the exception, not the rule.

Parents are very engaged because it is a brand new school and a new opportunity to start over fresh. The principal is AWESOME and people want to be connected with her. I hope the high level of engagement continues, and I feel very lucky to be part of it. But I also won't be shocked if it goes the way of so many other PTAs in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP: I "think" the current officers have been working the phones and trying to convince people, though I'm not sure (they have certainly sent many emails to the PTA list serve - the only school-wide list serve we have - but I know that there are still many people not on that list). Right now we have "co-presidents", which I thought was legit but maybe it's not... But I hope it is because I don't see any one person agreeing to do it alone.

There has been NO effort by the school principal to highlight this issue or ask for people to engage, which is concerning to me.

I like the idea of reaching out to incoming K parents, though not sure where to get their info and how we would get it done with such little time left.

I am currently signed up to be the MCC-PTA delegate for our school, and I also serve on two PTA committees (including running an event this past year), and both my husband and I volunteer constantly for field trips, class parties, gathering money for teacher gifts, other events. All of this seemed like a sufficient contribution and yet here we are stressing about the possible dissolution of the PTA and what we can do to prevent that.

Every school has an incoming Kindergarteners' Day in the spring. Yours has probably already passed, but this would be a great day to set up a booth and chat up parents at the social. Some neighborhood elementary schools also set up playdates at a local park during the summer so that incoming Kindergarteners have a chance to make new friends. This would also be a great occasion to chat up new parents, answer their questions about the school, and then introduce ways for them to get involved with the PTA. Share how it has personally helped you connect to your child's school and make a difference. Be prepared to tell about volunteering activities that take only one hour, those that are recurring but easy, and those that will stretch their leadership skills. Learn about their dreams for the school and help them to make those dreams a reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would make the commitment and do it except that our PTA the past few years has been very unwelcoming and not interested in having members participate so many of us gave up. Maybe you need to look at what you are doing as a group if no one is interested. I volunteered a few times this year at PTA things and felt very unwelcome. Its generally the working parents who are doing it so employment isn't the issue, the group of people running it and what they are doing is the issue along with the principal who is nasty.

I hear that a lot and don't believe people anymore when they say this. I've been yelled at by a fellow PTA officer and I still volunteered for the post I was voted into. People expect the teachers and PTA to fawn over them and grovel if they show up to help, but that can't be the case all the time. YOU'RE NOT DOING THIS FOR THE PLAUDITS. YOU'RE NOT DOING THIS FOR YOUR KID ONLY. These are the two things people must understand.

The first poster makes some very valid points. I've had the same experience whenever I tried to volunteer at PTA-sponsored events. Treated like a total interloper, ignored by the PTA moms at my table who wouldn't talk to me as a non-member, and didn't trust me to make change for a $20. I gave up volunteering at PTA events after a few tries. Now you couldn't pay me to join the PTA. If the PTA is in this bad of shape, the group needs to look inward at how it has excluded the rest of the parents in the school and how to be more welcoming and less controlling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would make the commitment and do it except that our PTA the past few years has been very unwelcoming and not interested in having members participate so many of us gave up. Maybe you need to look at what you are doing as a group if no one is interested. I volunteered a few times this year at PTA things and felt very unwelcome. Its generally the working parents who are doing it so employment isn't the issue, the group of people running it and what they are doing is the issue along with the principal who is nasty.

As a PTA volunteer, I'd ask you to think hard about what exactly people are doing that makes them unwelcoming. Is it that you expect them to fawn all over you because you're giving up a couple hours of your time-- when I know that the leaders often spend 20+ hours/week every.week.all.year. doing pretty much a thankless job as best they can? Maybe their skill set isn't Julie McCoy!! If you don't like how things are going, step up, introduce yourself, and offer to do something! Write an email! If they don't respond- don't assume it's because they don't want you or are unwelcoming! Maybe they just don't know you and have other things on their mind. Honestly, though, unless your school is really terrible, and your PTA is dysfunctional and mean spirited, I'd re-examine your own attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be the Change folks, be the change.

Each year almost 6 of our 15 positions are new K parents eager to get going. It's great.

+1 this. If you don't like what your PTA board does and think they're unfriendly/disorganized, etc then run for a board position and be super friendly and organized next year. The PTA board is just parents who spend lots of their time taking on an inpatient second job. They're not in the customer service industry and sometimes they might be worn out or disorganized. If you don't like the way it's done, be productive and do it differently instead of just complaining about people.

"run for the board"? I have literally never been in a school where the PTA runs an open election. The nominating committee picks a slate of candidates who are presented unopposed for the positions and the parents are asked to vote them in on a voice vote. I have never been given a paper ballot to vote in a PTA election. The idea that it's an open election is ludicrous. It's just a bunch of cliquey parents self-perpetuating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be the Change folks, be the change.

Each year almost 6 of our 15 positions are new K parents eager to get going. It's great.

+1 this. If you don't like what your PTA board does and think they're unfriendly/disorganized, etc then run for a board position and be super friendly and organized next year. The PTA board is just parents who spend lots of their time taking on an inpatient second job. They're not in the customer service industry and sometimes they might be worn out or disorganized. If you don't like the way it's done, be productive and do it differently instead of just complaining about people.

"run for the board"? I have literally never been in a school where the PTA runs an open election. The nominating committee picks a slate of candidates who are presented unopposed for the positions and the parents are asked to vote them in on a voice vote. I have never been given a paper ballot to vote in a PTA election. The idea that it's an open election is ludicrous. It's just a bunch of cliquey parents self-perpetuating.

There are supposed to be nominations open to the floor. A voice vote needs to be voted on before the actual vote. Sounds like your school isn't following their bylaws. But also, who are these crazy people who want to be on the PTA board for years and years???

[Anonymous]

OP "I am currently signed up to be the MCC-PTA delegate for our school, and I also serve on two PTA committees (including running an event this past year), and both my husband and I volunteer constantly for field trips, class parties, gathering money for teacher gifts, other events. All of this seemed like a sufficient contribution and yet here we are stressing about the possible dissolution of the PTA and what we can do to prevent that."

To the OP: This is the thing with PTA-- lots of great parents helping out. No one wants to take the reins. That's been my experience. Also could you start making phone calls to your friends or people you know and do some arm twisting? Sounds like you're well connected and probably know lots of folks. I know at my school many of the PTA Board have older kids and may not know as many of the younger parents to reach out to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would make the commitment and do it except that our PTA the past few years has been very unwelcoming and not interested in having members participate so many of us gave up. Maybe you need to look at what you are doing as a group if no one is interested. I volunteered a few times this year at PTA things and felt very unwelcome. Its generally the working parents who are doing it so employment isn't the issue, the group of people running it and what they are doing is the issue along with the principal who is nasty.

I hear that a lot and don't believe people anymore when they say this. I've been yelled at by a fellow PTA officer and I still volunteered for the post I was voted into. People expect the teachers and PTA to fawn over them and grovel if they show up to help, but that can't be the case all the time. YOU'RE NOT DOING THIS FOR THE PLAUDITS. YOU'RE NOT DOING THIS FOR YOUR KID ONLY. These are the two things people must understand.

I agree with this. People also have no idea how much time and energy PTA officers give to the school. It's insane. I cannot speak for any other school, but our PTA isn't unwelcoming-- it's getting shit done and we need help. It's not a social club, it's a second job. If volunteers expect to be celebrated for showing up, then they are not understanding the nature of the PTA or the people who work in it.

I expect people to be friendly, say hello if I say hello and say more than two words to me. And, if I try to help, don't say we have it under control as why ask for volunteers and waste my time if you don't want it. I am not there for social hour and have no interest in being friends.

DP, I stopped volunteering with our elementary’s school PTA as it was very uncomfortable socially. I volunteered to help at a couple of events and the people running the event would just sit and talk to each other and were not receptive to including me. It was very cliquey. I volunteered in other ways at the school after that that were not PTA related: such as volunteering in the classroom, recess monitor, etc. Now that my kids are in middle/high school, I’ve gotten involved in the PTA again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a soon-to-be Rustin parent who attended the PTA meeting with the contested elections.

I loved that one dad said "If my kid can do something new, so can I." He didn't win, but I bet he'll help out next year.

PTAs need to be aware of the way they come off clique-y. I volunteered for an event at my current home school and offered several suggestions -- and yes, I offered to implement them at an in-person meeting, because I had run a similar event at my preschool. Several other committee members also volunteered their ideas and their time. But then the PTA board member took the ideas back to the full board, and I guess they decided to do all implementation themselves. A few weeks later (with no communication in between), the board member sent out an email laying out how the event would go. I was surprised that a committee had been convened and asked to volunteer, but then the PTA board took over.

It's that kind of thing that PTAs need to be more self-aware about.

One other example. My school sends out a sign-up genius for various teacher appreciation breakfasts/lunches. I often click on them within 15 minutes of them being posted on Facebook. By that time, 90 to 100% of the slots are filled with 5-6 moms filling multiple slots. It makes me suspect that there is a clique of moms who plan these events and want all the credit, and don't actually want anyone else to help. Maybe I'm completely wrong, but I'd like to do something for the teachers other than bring a bag of ice.

If people at your school are not stepping up, think about how you are coming across and whether the current leadership is doing enough to be inclusive.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will also say this: Rustin is the exception, not the rule.

Parents are very engaged because it is a brand new school and a new opportunity to start over fresh. The principal is AWESOME and people want to be connected with her. I hope the high level of engagement continues, and I feel very lucky to be part of it. But I also won't be shocked if it goes the way of so many other PTAs in a few years.

I agree that it's due to being an new school. Entire Rustin board is without experience , except a delegate coming from Beall. I suspect they won't be able to sustain a decent level of activities for the next school year and enthusiasm will die down. I didn't like the fact that there were few parents , including elected president, ran for more than one position. It simply shows that those parents were simply desperate to get into PTA board and wanted to maximize their chance to get elected for one or another position.

Everyone should pick one position what they feel comfortable with and have skills in the area. Just run for one best suited position even though by laws allows to run for multiple positions. Parents randomly running for various positions either have super skills to do any job, or simply not suitable for being a leader. Hopefully, board can do a good job otherwise all this new enthusiasm will quickly turned into a big disappointment.

Positions having many contestant is a great , but the same parent running for multiple position tells you something else. Hopefully, it works out great for sake of enthusiastic community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a PTA president and I think that MCCPTA is a big part of the problem. We came from a system where the home school was not part of the bureaucratic National / MD / Montgomery County PTA. It was so much easier!

MCCPTA has way too many rules and makes it more complicated. As president, you spend too much time guiding people through the maze os SoCa requirements, membership reporting, paying dues up to MCCPTA, and heaven help you if you need to update your bylaws. Even if you are changing nothing in your bylaws, the update process is ridiculous. The Reflections art program is not worth the level of complexity that MCCPTA has created. The training is bad and MCCPTA officers have given out bad accounting practice advice or said contradictory things before which sends officers into a state of confusion. The kicker to all this is that MCCPTA often has problems filling its own positions. The year I was president MCCPTA's treasurer was AWOL half the time and useless in helping our treasurer,

The second problem is that too many parents get stuck thinking if its been done in the past then it must be done again. It doesn't. It really doesn't. If no one wants to run an event, its OK not to have that event for that year. If you don't raise enough money for something, it doesn't get bought. There is often too much pressure from the principals to fill up their slush funds and too many parents who crumble at any passive aggressive guilt.

The third problem is what others have touched on by parents who volunteer having a bad experience. Some of this is on the parent volunteering. Some parents see this as a way to make friends and have fun, while others just see it as a chance to help out. The ones that don't have any expectations to get something out of it other than helping out usually stick around and aren't disappointed. The ones who are dying to let their inner Martha Stewart loose, make a new set of BFFs for life at one event, or want to play CEO are often annoyed and aggravate the other volunteers who run for the hills.

The fourth problem is that you are often left with a small handful of capable parents and a large amount of crazies who couldn't manage their way out of a paper bag. As president, its important to be nice to everyone and encourage everyone to take a role they are comfortable accepting but boy some people are really just idiots or obnoxious.

I completely agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will also say this: Rustin is the exception, not the rule.

Parents are very engaged because it is a brand new school and a new opportunity to start over fresh. The principal is AWESOME and people want to be connected with her. I hope the high level of engagement continues, and I feel very lucky to be part of it. But I also won't be shocked if it goes the way of so many other PTAs in a few years.

I agree that it's due to being an new school. Entire Rustin board is without experience , except a delegate coming from Beall. I suspect they won't be able to sustain a decent level of activities for the next school year and enthusiasm will die down. I didn't like the fact that there were few parents , including elected president, ran for more than one position. It simply shows that those parents were simply desperate to get into PTA board and wanted to maximize their chance to get elected for one or another position.

Everyone should pick one position what they feel comfortable with and have skills in the area. Just run for one best suited position even though by laws allows to run for multiple positions. Parents randomly running for various positions either have super skills to do any job, or simply not suitable for being a leader. Hopefully, board can do a good job otherwise all this new enthusiasm will quickly turned into a big disappointment.

Positions having many contestant is a great , but the same parent running for multiple position tells you something else. Hopefully, it works out great for sake of enthusiastic community.

It's likely to be the bold case. I am not in RM cluster, but I have never heard a situation where some one getting elected as president who was also running for other positions in voting process. Having a president ,who desperately wanted to get into PTA board by running for multiple positions, and then getting president position is probably not a great thing. You need certain organizational skills and willingness to spend long ours in president position. Hopefully he/she is up to it given that it's a new school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will also say this: Rustin is the exception, not the rule.

Parents are very engaged because it is a brand new school and a new opportunity to start over fresh. The principal is AWESOME and people want to be connected with her. I hope the high level of engagement continues, and I feel very lucky to be part of it. But I also won't be shocked if it goes the way of so many other PTAs in a few years.

I agree that it's due to being an new school. Entire Rustin board is without experience , except a delegate coming from Beall. I suspect they won't be able to sustain a decent level of activities for the next school year and enthusiasm will die down. I didn't like the fact that there were few parents , including elected president, ran for more than one position. It simply shows that those parents were simply desperate to get into PTA board and wanted to maximize their chance to get elected for one or another position.

Everyone should pick one position what they feel comfortable with and have skills in the area. Just run for one best suited position even though by laws allows to run for multiple positions. Parents randomly running for various positions either have super skills to do any job, or simply not suitable for being a leader. Hopefully, board can do a good job otherwise all this new enthusiasm will quickly turned into a big disappointment.

Positions having many contestant is a great , but the same parent running for multiple position tells you something else. Hopefully, it works out great for sake of enthusiastic community.

I'm surprised that MCPTA allows people to run for multiple board positions. They have a rule against everything. I was impressed when the post was originally made that Rustin actually had multiple people running for positions. Now I know, it's because there are some crazies. Beware Rustin community, this is not typical.