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Original poster

If you have a Friends of, or a PTA; how was your leader chosen?

46 replies

mxd · 23/09/2025 06:49

Recently the two co-chairs of our Friends of stepped down and someone else was put in without any sort of consultation with anyone else.

I've found the way they've dealt with it all quite strange.
Engagement with volunteers etc is now so low, I'm almost worried it'll completely fold.

Any advice?

OP posts:
MaybeIf · 23/09/2025 08:20

IKnowAristotle · 23/09/2025 08:12

I'm chair of the PTA and my first task was to beg people to turn up for an AGM so we could actually be quorate and officially elect me.

That’s exactly what a friend of mine said. After doing it for years, she then had to run a sort of un-electoral campaign to find someone to take over!

Original poster
mxd · 23/09/2025 08:19

Lambington · 23/09/2025 08:03

Did you or or anyone else put yourselves forward and were ignored? If so that is disgraceful.

Exactly this! Me

OP posts:
IKnowAristotle · 23/09/2025 08:12

I'm chair of the PTA and my first task was to beg people to turn up for an AGM so we could actually be quorate and officially elect me.

Needmorelego · 23/09/2025 08:12

Yes in my experience it's usually the one and only person who volunteers for it.

MaybeIf · 23/09/2025 08:11

slightlyoverbaked · 23/09/2025 06:54

Normally it’s the only poor fucker who volunteers for it

That’s exactly how it was at the two primaries DS attended.

lljkk · 23/09/2025 08:08

slightlyoverbaked · 23/09/2025 06:54

Normally it’s the only poor fucker who volunteers for it

yeah, exactly that.

TheNightingalesStarling · 23/09/2025 08:05

Br pragmatic... Will they be good at the job? Being competent is better than be popular.

Swiftie1878 · 23/09/2025 08:03

mxd · 23/09/2025 07:01

I'm just not keen on who's in which has made me step right back. It's a shame because we're also struggling for people.

Try to put your differences aside and be supportive. Schools really need the fundraising and there are so few people who are willing or able to take on these roles.

Lambington · 23/09/2025 08:03

Did you or or anyone else put yourselves forward and were ignored? If so that is disgraceful.

moresoup · 23/09/2025 08:01

I put out multiple calls for volunteers. Noone new came to the meeting. So it went to the only lady who (fairly reluctantly) said she would do it. She's lovely, but I wish we had had more people coming to our meetings.

zazazooms · 23/09/2025 08:01

I was the chair of the PTA because no one else went to the meeting! Didn't love it but dis it for 2 years and made loads of money for the school.

LittleAlexHornesPocket · 23/09/2025 08:01

We had to practically beg people to take on our roles when we stepped down. It's very frustrating, especially when parents moan that the PTA isn't doing enough.

autienotnaughty · 23/09/2025 08:00

Would you have done it op? Were you asked?

WIcurious · 23/09/2025 07:58

As the others have said, there’s usually very few people willing.

I wouldn’t do it so I’m grateful to anyone who steps up, and if they do things I wouldn’t have chosen I support them anyway.

DappledThings · 23/09/2025 07:02

We put out regular calls for volunteers to join. We've had a few more this year wanting to be generally helpers but the secretary, treasurer and chair all left at the end of last year and we only had one volunteer for each so they were duly elected.

It's entirely open and above board but if nobody wants to do it there's not a lot you can do

Original poster
mxd · 23/09/2025 07:01

I'm just not keen on who's in which has made me step right back. It's a shame because we're also struggling for people.

OP posts:
Bournetilly · 23/09/2025 07:00

They sent a vote via email but there were only 4 choices so I doubt many voulenteers.

Canyousewcushions · 23/09/2025 06:59

slightlyoverbaked · 23/09/2025 06:54

Normally it’s the only poor fucker who volunteers for it

Yup, this. We do have a vote in line with our constitution, but aren't exactly overwhelmed with volunteers to chair it!!

It's usually a vote with just one option, and the rest of us are really grateful to whoever has taken it on!!

Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk · 23/09/2025 06:57

slightlyoverbaked · 23/09/2025 06:54

Normally it’s the only poor fucker who volunteers for it

And the first post nails it ….

Original poster
mxd · 23/09/2025 06:56

Yes I suppose that's true.

OP posts:
slightlyoverbaked · 23/09/2025 06:54

Normally it’s the only poor fucker who volunteers for it