Ooooooh Poop I'm PTA Vice President

.

:) smile for one.

I am Girl Scout Daisy Troop Leader/Brownie Troop Organizer, basketball/soccer coach and work F/T outside the home. Below is this weeks schedule so far... (and school just started yesterday)

Monday - Girl Scouts Training evening for adults left the house at 7:15 AM returned 8PM
Tuesday - Soccer practice left house at 7:15 am returned 7:15 PM
Wednesday - Soccer practice and the the little boys go to church 7:15 am returned 8:30 (dinner was drive through)
Thursday - Luckily I took today and tomorrow off (But cleaning house today, dentist) I have Girl Scout Admin meeting tonight won't be home til 8:30
Friday...oh how I love Friday! I get a night off...oh wait nope...my sister has class so I have nephew duty...

Anyway...I find ways and people to delegate to. Delegation is the key, if she delegates a project to you...you find two people to help you with it.

I do this and I am a control freak.

My youngest is so excited that I'm home today...I haven't really seen him much this week. And school just started for my daughter so this is just the beginning. Although this year I probably won't be coaching basketball.

What keeps me going is that I heard my daughter say "My mom awesome...she and I do it all!"...I also do it all 1. because I worry no one else will step up and I want my daughter to know I will and 2. Because I can't say no.

I was president for more years than I can remember, no one would step up after me! And I didn't ever have a vice-president, other than the ones who were figure heads and never came to meetings or helped. One year a woman who'd been elected as president called me 2 days before the new year was starting and told me she was pregnant and couldn't handle it, so once again...my daughter was already in junior high and I was secretary at that school's PTA, and I was president for 2 more years. Oh, I worked, went to school, was a single mom, and nearly died and had to have an emergency hysterectomy in the spring of one of the years.

Honestly, though, I did the work because I loved being near my daughter and seeing her occasionally, enjoyed helping out if and when i could, learned so much more about how schools "run" and all the problems and situations they encounter that I never would have being a non-involved parent, and it got me out of my somewhat shy demeanor because I HAD to be a communicator.

I also dealt with parents who didn't like to or want to help out and told me so, but were complainers about how things were done, grrrrrrrr. I'm a firm believer in the "if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem" and "Put your money (or time) where your mouth is" philosophies. (BTW, I never had to give money other than what I bought from fundraisers.) I got so involved I became a sort of liaison between the schools I volunteered at and the parents.

That all being said, while I would encourage you to help whenever and however you can, being vice-president is not on your heart, and you need to be honest with the woman NOW, and politely decline. If she presses you for reasons (though it really is none of her concern) simply tell her the ones you gave here, and smile and say, "Maybe sometime in the future, but not this year."

I would politely decline. You can always use the old " we are new and want to get established before getting into leadership" line. I happen to think it is smart thinking anyway. How do you have any idea what is expected or how much time you will have (or will be expected) until you have lived through a year of school there? You won't have any idea.
You also will have no idea what works from previous "administrations" and what didn't, or what their current practices even are...

I would pass. Don't even use the "I don't have the time" line, because everyone feels that way. Say that you want to "observe" for a year. That gives you more credibility. ;)

If there is no one else willing to do this, I recommend that you accept and try it. You can resign if it doesn't work. I was a PTA officer this year and am amazed at all the mothers are able to do. What was most impressive is how much support they give to each other. They are a tight knit team who accomplish much because they do support each other and are flexible around each other's schedules. I suggest that you'll get more out of it that will more than compensate for the time you put in.

Before you decide, tho, take a look at who else is involved. Personalities are important and if your personality doesn't mesh with theirs you could be miserable.

Um - I think you are my long lost twin. :) I am in a similar boat, and I cannot back out now. Why is it so hard to say NO? I have my first meeting with all the chairpeople tomorrow. I want to run and hide. I can't wait to see your answers... And by the way, good luck. :)

Decline. I am staying at home and you would not believe the stories about PTA and the amount of wasted time it involves. Of course everyone is new. The rest are burnt out.
Quit later? HAHAHHHHA. As if they would let you.

I would pass on it. Save it for the mommies that can commit to it and do it happily. I don't have a problem saying no to anyone, even family. I just dont feel obligated to do things I don't want to do. Lucky me I guess! Maybe offer to be a backup if they are short volunteers or need anything else. Good luck!

I say give it a shot. Although, I do think it can be tough work. But most of the burden will be put on the presidents shoulders.

Think of it as "only" one year. If its too difficult to swing again, then stop after a year.

Vice President is a big job... Has a lot to do with fundraising,etc. If you have never been on a PTA board, I would not start at the VP level.

I was President last year of the cheerleader booster club at my daughter's high school. THe main thing I did all year was mediate between the moms who were arguing all the time. It was HE$$. Through it all, though, we did manage to raise a good bit of money. We started the year with $4000 left over from the previous year and when all bills were cleared, etc, we left the new group with $7600 to start.

This year, daughter is in cheer at the Sr High level. I was approached for the board there. I am Secretary on this board, much less stress.

You'll find that you end up have a few people who do ALL the work and the is a lot of hard work.. fundraising mostly. With our new group, it is a whole new level. We have to sell advertising for the football program in this economy. If you don't sell you expected share, about $2000, then you are expected to write a check for the difference.

Good luck if you do it. Get some support and enlist in help!

Best wishes

I would respectfully decline, but say you would love to offer in times of emergency ;)

So is your decision No?