Am I being petty? PTA

[Anonymous]

We are new to our school so I thought volunteering aft the PTA book fair would be a good way to meet new faces. I went on sign up genius and picked the time slot that worked with my youngest’s preschool schedule. It was a slot with the PTA Vice President and two other ranking members. I just went on to double check the start time and noticed the three have dropped their slots with me and changed to the following time slot. My slot is empty now, other than me. Am I projecting or does this seem like middle school behavior? I sort of don’t even want to help anymore, though I don’t know why I’m taking this personally. Honestly, I feel like the “new kid” who sat at the lunch table and the other kids got up and moved. Am I being dramatic or do you feel it too?

[Anonymous]

They are probably trying to spread out the coverage.

[Anonymous]

Probably just a logistical thing. I'm sure its not personal.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they took that slot because normally people don't and they are hoping that other people will sign up with you. I suspect that they will be there if no one else signs up.

[Anonymous]

1-2 parents per time slot is the norm, chill out

[Anonymous]

I get that you picked a particular time slot because it fit your lo’s preschool schedule, but you can’t really complain if you signed up for a time slot that already had 3 volunteers, when the next time slot must have been empty, and then the people in charge tried to balance the coverage. You’re new to the school, so unless there’s previous drama that you’re failing to mention, they’re not determined to avoid you.

[Anonymous]

I think one of them should have stayed in your slot. Seems kind of silly to need 4 then suddenly be ok with 1.

I would be hurt too OP

[Anonymous]

Yeah. Someone who has done this before should have stayed in your slot to show you how it’s done, where to put checks and cash, where gift books for classrooms go, etc.
The fact that they all moved together is kind of crappy mean girl behavior.

When you see them just be nice and act like they are your annoying little cousins. Be kind and polite, but not ingratiating.

[Anonymous]

You are being so dramatic. Please don't go to this with a chip on your shoulder.

[Anonymous]

Former PTA officer and book fair co-chair here - it's possible they are going to use the time for a meeting about something else, and initially signed up for the slot with no coverage just to give it coverage. (or they have a meeting planned that they'll now have before their shift?) It can be tough to get people's schedules to coordinate, especially when all parents are working (or don't have coverage for younger kids.)

I wouldn't jump to conclusions. By the way, I have always recommended book fair volunteering to the newer parents at our school as the single best way to meet other parents and actually get to talk to them. I've had some great conversations at book fair during the slower times, and even found an assistant coach for one of the kid sports I coach. Don't get discouraged - the PTA and book fair need you!

[Anonymous]

I would get it if 2 of them moved to the empty slot, leaving coverage at 2+2, but 3 of them moving seems weird and clique-ish to me, too.

[Anonymous]

My own personal experience is that the mean girls were not who I expected them to be. They were women who were not cool in high school and who have continued to feel this sense of victimhood from some other, cooler, group. This probably isn’t personal, but if you are a SAHM, pretty, and your husband makes a lot of money, they may have decided that you won’t ever be one of them, and it may be personal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are probably trying to spread out the coverage.

+100 Having served on PTA board for years now, this syncs with my experience. A parent who wants to volunteer is gold. No one is trying to exclude them!

[Anonymous]

Don't over think it. Odds are good that so far you haven't done anything to piss them off!

[Anonymous]

They do all kinds of weird things at ours. We had them do sign ups but all of the PTA friend showed up and told us we weren't needed.