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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking WTF about the PTA reserving the front row seats at the nativity

244 replies

TrollopDollop · 07/12/2011 23:08

I saw it with my own eyes on monday at DS reception nativity. Why? I am not seeing the link between being in the PTA and getting a monopoly on the front row seats. One of them actually asked people to move before placing 'reserved for PTA' signs on the chairs.

OP posts:
Fecklessdizzy · 07/12/2011 23:11

Shit! Why didn't I think of that! Angry I always used to get stuck behind a pillar at the back ...

sozzledchops · 07/12/2011 23:12

does the PTA help with the nativity? Are they serving up coffee or something while everyone else is free to scramble for seats?

I got a frontish row seat reserved (not PTA though) as I was helping serve snacks before our nativity.

Beamur · 07/12/2011 23:13

Why reserved for them?
Doesn't happen thankfully at DD's school - I can't imagine any of the parents standing for something like that!

RedBlanket · 07/12/2011 23:14
LulaBear · 07/12/2011 23:14

Ha! Bloody cheek! YANBU

TeamMeleKalikimaka · 07/12/2011 23:15

At our school, we're not allowed to reserve seats (except a couple of front row chairs for staff who cajole the children to sing louder supervise the children.)
Even the Head didn't get a chair, nor the Governors!

The PTA is considering auctioning a off front row seats for the Nativity next year, as a fundraiser. But not saving them for themselves! That's ridiculous!

Original poster
TrollopDollop · 07/12/2011 23:16

I didn't see them do anything on the day and saw most go in so know they weren't in the class helping the kids get changed etc. I am more Shock that people were asked to move to make way for them. Cheeky mares.

OP posts:
ASByatt · 07/12/2011 23:16

hmm, depends.
There were some reserved seats for PTA members at our school show, but only because the PTA had been there for at least an hour before getting things ready, and then were busy right up until 20 seconds before the show started selling raffletickets/sorting refreshments etc.

So I certainly didn't begruge them a good view of the show!

manicinsomniac · 07/12/2011 23:16

Reserving seats is a massive problem at the school I'm at. Parents sneak into the hall at about 5pm and lay bags, scarves and coats across rows of seats. Not PTA (we don't have one), just entitled, selfish people.

I'm on a crusade to stop them (have put in a request to the bursar for locks on the hall doors!) but have to say that we do allow reserved seats for the parents that help us with makeup because otherwise they wouldn't be coming into the hall until 1 minute before the start and would be right at the back when they've done us a massive favour.

So, if the PTA are at the play in their PTA roles and doing makeup/costumes etc then YABU.
If not, then you are denifitely Not BU

FeathersMcGraw · 07/12/2011 23:18

our PTA tend to get decent seats but that is normally because they are in school early to set up raffles / refreshments / Christmas Fair etc.

Saying that though, I saw my dd1's Harvest assembly for the first time in 6 years this time as I am normally one of the PTA-ers doing the sorting...

(disclaimer - the PTA have never asked anyone to move - how rude!!)

pooka · 07/12/2011 23:18

Well.

If they've helped organise the event, or are serving coffees like sozzelchops said, then can see the merit TBH.

Frankly, from watching our PTA/Friends, they deserve pretty much all they get. Is a completely thankless task in the main and I've seen the PTA chair get pretty shitty abuse from some parent at an event. Out of 420 kids, there are I think about 12 core members of the PTA who do shitloads of work to run events like the summer fete, uniform shop, presents room at christmas, Spring disco and stuff as well as serving coffees at all parent/teacher meet and greets.

I am not in the PTA. Haven't the time nor the inclination since I've seen how much effort goes into fundraising for the school.

So fair play to them.

Graciescotland · 07/12/2011 23:18

I think if they contributed towards the show, made costumes etc. then it's fair enough that they get the posh seats up front. If not YANBU.

IloveJudgeJudy · 07/12/2011 23:18

When I was in the PTA yes, I did get a front row reserved seat and I think that we all deserved it. We had spent hours sending letters out for raffle prizes and sorting loads of other stuff for school, including buying and wrapping literally hundreds of presents for all the pupils. When it was nativity we were always there at least 1 hour beforehand to serve teas and coffees and to sort out the raffle. Like AS says, we didn't finish until 20 seconds before it started. Why should I sit at the back and not be able to see my own DC just because I was helping out fundraising which helped all DC, not just mine?

trixymalixy · 07/12/2011 23:23

Surely they deserve some perks for giving up their free time for the benefit of the school?

LynetteScavo · 07/12/2011 23:32

But surely all parents are automatically members of the PTA? Or are we talking chair/secretay/ treasurer only?

And what about govenors? Do they get priority seating???

Original poster
TrollopDollop · 07/12/2011 23:34

I don't think they 'deserve' perks - it's a voluntary role.

OP posts:
IloveJudgeJudy · 07/12/2011 23:36

Well, yes, it is a voluntary role, but who else is going to help get the DC changed for the nativity, run the raffle, sort out refreshments? Should we be at the back just because we're helping out? If you're that upset about it, why don't you help?

culturevulture · 07/12/2011 23:36

They deserve it for all the work they do - it is a pretty thankless task most of the time

WhoopsyLa · 07/12/2011 23:37

I don't mind if the PTA get good seats. Ours are tireless in their efforts and thanks to them we have new ccomputers and play equipment. They can have the front row!

GypsyMoth · 07/12/2011 23:37

I don't think they deserve front seats either!!

IloveJudgeJudy · 07/12/2011 23:37

And, it's a voluntary role, but the money raised doesn't just go to help our DC, it goes to help all the DC in the school. In my DC's school, there were 350+ DC, who all benefitted at various times from the money the PTA raised, but only about 12 of us who did the work.

GypsyMoth · 07/12/2011 23:38

It doesn't take ALL of them

IloveJudgeJudy · 07/12/2011 23:38

So, OP and Sara, where do you think they should sit if they are helping out until about 20 seconds before the thing starts?

WhoopsyLa · 07/12/2011 23:38

Yes and who will fill up the lovely hampers for the raffles? And who will paint the faces and serve the tea and buns? Won't somebody PLEASE think of the buns??

randommoment · 07/12/2011 23:39

What ASByatt said, if we hadn't reserved a row of seats the make-up artists and mulled wine makers would never have seen anything, and the mulled wine makers had to leave their seats before the end to get to the kitchen, and would never have got there through the crowds without causing a commotion (Medieval church designed before Health and Safety was invented). But only for helpers, not for 'dignataries'.