Tell LCE PTO to follow the rules

Our PTO is an important part of our school. Their efforts support our students, teachers, and school, as a whole. Because of PTO, our school has cafeteria, computer, and copy aides, classroom extras, and much more. Every parent and every teacher and staff member is a part of PTO and has a voice and a vote. PTO has an important place in our school and should conduct itself in a professional manner. PTO represents our school and says a lot about who we are. We need to ensure the integrity of LCE PTO! We teach our kids to follow the rules and the example starts at the top.

I believe that our PTO should be conducting itself according to the rules. LCE PTO has Bylaws that lay out how it should govern itself. They were put in place as a legal document when the nonprofit corporation was formed, 28 years ago. There should be no question as to how something should be done or if it should be done at all. PTO has upheld and adhered to the Bylaws as long as it’s been in existence. Unfortunately, the current PTO is not conducting business with that in mind. Even the very purpose of the organization is not being upheld.

There is an election coming up soon. There are several Board positions that will be changing. In addition to the other areas of the Bylaws that should be being followed, this area is of particular importance at this time. The Bylaws state that the President shall have served two years on the Board, which was changed from one year prior to that. The importance of the experience of this position was considered when making this change. The Bylaws also state that there is a three-year consecutive term limit for the office served and that the President shall enforce the Bylaws. If someone informs the President that they would like to be President, but they are not qualified under the Bylaws, it is the duty of the President to thank them for their interest and inform them that they are not qualified at that time. They should certainly not be encouraged to run anyway. The President should also be someone that will be able to serve the whole term. There should be a nominating committee in place ahead of elections to qualify potential nominees, but there is not. I have several people that are interested and would be wonderful additions to PTO, but I have not been given the opportunity to submit their names to a nominating committee.

There is an effort now to sidestep the Bylaws so that people who are unknown to the Board are put on a ballot and unqualified people are put on a ballot for the President position. A ballot sent out to parents has not been used in this way for voting-in Board positions in the past and has not been approved by the Board.

The February general membership meeting was cancelled, with no input from the Board. The Board has not had a meeting since January, even though there are many important things to discuss. There is not a Board meeting scheduled at this time. The Board has not been given the opportunity to discuss positions, nominees, the voting process, or the Bylaws themselves. The Bylaws have been taken seriously in years past and amendments made when an improvement is deemed necessary. The amended Bylaws have been presented at the May general membership meeting to be voted on. The meeting and election requirements have been followed and Bylaws have been referred to and adhered to throughout the years. Now, apparently, things are different. Board members have even quit because they were fed up with the current state of affairs.

I do not feel comfortable with the way things are currently being conducted. I do not feel proud to be a part of an organization that is not abiding by the legal obligation it has to comply with the Bylaws. It comes down to whether we want PTO to follow the rules or not.

This brings me to a related matter. I am announcing my intent to be President of PTO next year. I have observed things done by the current PTO that I would like to see changed. There has not been a cooperative effort among Board members. There has not been an effort to have a collaborative relationship with the Volunteer Coordinator or to support event Chairs or the Dads Team. I think there could be a better relationship between teachers and PTO. Board members are not encouraged to volunteer for events or for school functions. There is a disconnect between sitting on the Board and being a part of what’s going on. As many of you have seen during my 4 years of volunteering for this school, I am committed to doing whatever it takes to have the school succeed. I don’t hesitate to jump in to help. I’m not afraid of getting my sleeves dirty. Due to my connections made being Volunteer Coordinator and my relationships made volunteering, I was able to have our PTO Treasurer, Fundraising and Walk a Thon Chair, Holiday Shop Chair, Cougar Shop Chair, the next Carnival Chairs, Terracycle Coordinator, and other volunteers join the team. I’ve been a SAC member for years and I have learned a great deal about the school by doing the Five Star Award binder. Both give me valuable insight to our school. Having been involved with all of the events, school related and PTO related, I have seen what has worked and what hasn’t worked for this school. Being President of a PTO, as wide-ranging as ours is, is a big responsibility and is a lot of work. I have shown that I am capable of taking on this role. I have been Volunteer Coordinator, PTO Corresponding Secretary, SAC Recording Secretary and member, Five Star Award Coordinator, multiple-class Room Parent, Media Center volunteer extraordinaire, cafeteria volunteer, Terracycle Coordinator, and Green Team member and event coordinator (all simultaneously), and event planning assistant for some events and volunteer for every event. That is on top of the other organizations I volunteer for. I have many more years at this school. I very much enjoy being a part of such great school with amazing teachers, staff, students, and parents.

I want nothing more than for being involved with PTO to be a positive experience, but instead I’m feeling discouraged and not proud to be a part of this organization. Things need to change if PTO and its relationships and school volunteering are going to improve. That requires new leadership. With the exception of me, the current saying about PTO is that if you don’t want to do anything, join PTO. That is a disappointing thing to hear. PTO needs a leader who will set an example of positivity and giving. I’m ready to take PTO where it needs to be.

Signing this petition is not an endorsement of me for President. I told you these things about myself to demonstrate how involved in this school I am and to show how much I care. I want the best for the school, whether I’m PTO President or not. Even if I didn’t want to be President, I would still be standing up for what’s right and calling for PTO to follow their own rules. Will you join me in telling Ms Lloyd and PTO that we want them to follow the Bylaws to ensure the integrity of LCE PTO?!