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PTA BOARD - President (first year) signup sheet
This is a 2 year commitment. The first year is pretty easy, you're a "President in training" and you're mostly there to listen and learn and support the 2nd Year President as needed. You divide and conquer on tasks to share the load. The expectation is that you’ll learn enough about the Board and the President role to take over in your 2nd year.
It’s not nearly as daunting as it may seem; if you’re already someone who values service and volunteerism enough to consider this role, then you’d be volunteering anyway and you may as well do this!
There are few things that are truly required of you for this job, that you MUST do to keep the PTA in good standing with the organization's own laws, as well as the "LAW law". Prior to every new month, review the "To Do's" we’ll give you that are clearly documented in a handy Excel calendar, use your best judgment, and defer to veteran Board members for guidance as well. You do that, and there's no way you'll mess this up.
Lean into your strengths and make the job your own. You don't have to do everything the way it's "always been done" - make it work for you. Some Presidents run every General Meeting and do all the talking, because it makes the meetings efficient. Others delegate the content and speaking to its owners, which empowers folks to speak on their own behalf but makes meetings run long. Some Presidents host Board meetings at their house; others ask all Board members to take a turn hosting. Some love the limelight, some don't. Some are great with numbers and details, others not so much. Doesn't matter; plenty of talented folks on the Board with a range of skills to lend in your support.
Regardless, so-called "soft skills" are critical for this job. You're a leader and you can do a lot to set the tone/temperature of all meetings and activities. Be supportive and positive to a T. Be a great cheerleader. Say "thank you!" a LOT. Help the Board members and Committee Chairs get the help they need. Delegate, delegate, delegate: ask for help for yourself, and preserve your stamina and energy - don't volunteer for everything, don't show up for everything. Advocate for the teachers and staff - champion them, defer to them, and stand by them. We're here to serve and support them! Drama might try to come your way and it could easily make you and everyone else nuts if you stir it up; proactively and politely squash it by setting ground rules for meetings and boundaries for yourself and the Board. You and the Board will know if something is truly an issue that needs the PTA's attention - remember we're NOT the school and we're not here to tell the school how to conduct their business. I'd assume we have very little influence in this regard, so use it sparingly.
