What PTA? Ours hosts an all night grad party, I think.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are new to a school and the pta board and chairs seem very cliquish. Their kids all know one another and hang out. Pta president is so cold. She will answer your questions but totally unfriendly. Seems almost like a robot.

This describes our current PTA President too. That is her personality and that's how she runs the PTA. She's just not a very nice person. I can't tell you how many times I've heard her talk badly of other parents behind their backs, including the previous PTA President! I've given up on her and now I just try to avoid her.

But we've had very friendly ones in past years.

Please tell us what school.

^^ PTA President wondering if PPs are talking about her.

Anonymous wrote:What are you looking to get out of it? For most people, PTA isn’t a social thing (other than seeing friends who are also PTA), it’s work. Your PTA president probably does far more than you realize, and may be cold only because she has her next 17 PTA tasks on her mind. If you want to use the PTA as a means of meeting new people, join a committee for an activity you’re really interested in and start there.

This. OP, you're new and don't know the president and I'm guessing saw the president in the context of some school event or at a meeting. Like PP says--mind on the many things to be done. PTA is there to support students, teachers and administration, and if the vibe is warm and fuzzy that's a great plus, but it's only that, a plus. Not an essential to get things done.

I've also seen a very friendly PTA where nothing got done....

Please go ahead and volunteer to do whatever you consider most valuable to the school and don't worry about whether you're received with what you think is adequate warmth etc. You're doing it for the students and teachers, via PTA--not for the PTA itself.

Our ES PTA was ridiculous. Super cliquey, exclusive, and competitive, but they would swear up and down that they were sweet and welcoming. I just wrote checks, volunteered directly with the teachers, and steered clear. I wasn’t up for a repeat of my own middle school years.

Middle school and high school PTAs are much different. They’ve been great.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are new to a school and the pta board and chairs seem very cliquish. Their kids all know one another and hang out. Pta president is so cold. She will answer your questions but totally unfriendly. Seems almost like a robot.

This describes our current PTA President too. That is her personality and that's how she runs the PTA. She's just not a very nice person. I can't tell you how many times I've heard her talk badly of other parents behind their backs, including the previous PTA President! I've given up on her and now I just try to avoid her.

But we've had very friendly ones in past years.

Please tell us what school.

PTA in my child's school is absolutely criminal (lots of missing $$), but everyone is too afraid of them to do anything.

PTA boards change from year to year. Next year could be a better year.

Anonymous wrote:We welcome anyone and everyone with a pulse who shows up and is willing to work not just pronounce and do nothing to implement.

+1

You want to help/work? You will be welcomed with open arms. I can’t guarantee you’ll find bffs, but you’ll find nice people.

Anonymous wrote:We are new to a school and the pta board and chairs seem very cliquish. Their kids all know one another and hang out. Pta president is so cold. She will answer your questions but totally unfriendly. Seems almost like a robot.

This describes our current PTA President too. That is her personality and that's how she runs the PTA. She's just not a very nice person. I can't tell you how many times I've heard her talk badly of other parents behind their backs, including the previous PTA President! I've given up on her and now I just try to avoid her.

But we've had very friendly ones in past years.

It’s our school too, so I guess I’m not expecting a welcoming committee. I show up at the meetings like most people to get relevant information and then rush home. They put out calls for volunteers at the beginning of the year, and if something looks interesting and I have time I volunteer. That’s it.

We welcome anyone and everyone with a pulse who shows up and is willing to work not just pronounce and do nothing to implement.

What are you looking to get out of it? For most people, PTA isn’t a social thing (other than seeing friends who are also PTA), it’s work. Your PTA president probably does far more than you realize, and may be cold only because she has her next 17 PTA tasks on her mind. If you want to use the PTA as a means of meeting new people, join a committee for an activity you’re really interested in and start there.

Send in your check and send cookies to the parties. I’m in a school like this so I just don’t bother with the meetings.

Cool story bro.

We are new to a school and the pta board and chairs seem very cliquish. Their kids all know one another and hang out. Pta president is so cold. She will answer your questions but totally unfriendly. Seems almost like a robot.