What kind of person becomes head of PTA

[Ohwerewatchingfrozenagainarewe]

Would you say, in general?

I was surprised about someone I loosely know, when they told me they were, I really wouldn’t have them down as being that type, but maybe I being far too judgemental!

At our school nonody wamts to do it, it is a thankless task and usually someone grudgingly volunteers to take a turn. They have always been organised and put lots of effort into helping the school.

Also your friend being proud of herself does not been she was pushing for this position she may have been the only one generous enough to volunteer. She can still be pleased with herself for supporting school.

A glutton for punishment?

Me!

The one who, when put on the spot, can't say ‘no’!

In the meeting, the awkward silence as everyone else looks at the floor…and even though I know I have far too much on and know I should say ‘no’…my hand creeps up eventually with a.…‘I’ll do it’. 😳😂

However, in my defense, I made loads of new friends….( who seemingly, also couldn't say no…😂)
Don't you see the same people at…the school PTA, the Beavers coffee morning, the junior football committee...)!

A SAHM with more time on her hands than those with a job.

@CurlewKate The way I wanted it to??
No it’s much more positive than I thought as it makes me less wary of this person

Usually one with a lot of time on their hands. 🤣🤣
But there are exceptions. Some are in busy jobs and are just good at time management.

It's the kind of person who grudgingly agrees as literally no-one else wanted to. This is true of the last 4 PTA chairs (including myself) at our primary. Being on the PTA is a thankless job- everyone wants the discos/ fairs/ random events to happen but very few will actually commit to pull them off and raise money for the school. Don't miss it but miss the friendships made.

Nope, at the time, primary teacher 0.8 ( 4 days per week) and single parent to my DC’s.

Why wouldn't you be proud?

It's a big job with a lot riding on your success really. Schools are so under -resourced that they provide a lot of necessities these days.

I hate this snidey attitude towards people who only want to help (and often get landed with the shit jobs no-one else will do)

<ex-PTA. Can you tell?>

I do it because if I don't no one else will! I think the PTA is an important part of our school community, and as with all voluntary roles, if no one volunteers nothing gets done ( apart from people, who never put their hand up complaining about nothing being done!) I also have a full time job, three kids, and am studying for a masters, so definitely not a sahm with a lot of time on my hands!!

Someone who likes to help out and do their bit to raise funds for the school but got coerced into being the Chair because no-one wanted to do it!

I hear you @Magnalux - almost identical to my experience! Can’t stand all the moaners either

I hate groups like this - in every group I have ever belonged to, 95% of the work is done by 5% of the people. The only thing most of the worthless twats others put in are their criticisms.

A SAHM with more time on her hands than those with a job.

I was on PTAs at several primary and secondary schools over 16 years or so. There was NEVER a PTA chair who was a SAHM. We had several (working) males; a teacher (at another school); a solicitor: an accountant; and various others, but all working.

I did it.
It was because nobody else would do it. I had no great desire to do it.

And i worked full time at the time.

If we judged people by lazy tv/film stereotypes then all athletes/cheerleaders would be stupid, any woman with big boobs is gagging for it, anyone academic is devoid of social skills and anyone with an English accent in an American movie is either a lovable, aristocratic eccentric or a criminal mastermind.

I'm a PTA co-chair, I reluctantly stepped forward as they were struggling for volunteers. I'm praying someone else shows an interest - so that I can step down. Don't know much about other schools PTA's, but ours is verging on a full time job, I would definitely NOT volunteer to be a co-chair again.

My daughter is Chair of her school's PTFA - she's friendly, very organised, enthusiastic and a team player - perfect characteristics for the role 👏

My dad was the chair of the PTA when I was a child.

Im a teacher now and the head of our PTA is amazing. They raise so much money for the school. She works part time, has two children at the school and works bloody hard at it. The PTA single handily funded my entire new outside area (I’m EYFS).

A lot of hard working , selfless people run PTAs. They run the risk of being sneered at by parents who never lift a finger then moan that the school doesn't have the benefit of the funds that good PTA's generate

This hasn't been my experience. Without exception at our schools it's a case of, "if you want something doing, ask a busy person" and it's the same handful of people who run the coffees, cakes, fairs and raffles at school that also work in positions of responsibility, help people/neighbours around them, volunteer at park run, coach the football team and collect for the food bank.

Many of those who have chosen to be sahm have done it precisely because they don't want multiple calls on their tine or to have to divide their attention multiple ways. Fair play to them. I actually think it's really unfair for people to assume that those who are sahm are looking for things to do.

At our school it is a SAHM - though the rest of the committee all work, including me.

It would be difficult at our school to make it work if you worked full time as you need to be present at all events - many of which are straight after school. Maybe if we had more volunteers it could work.

I suppose you could take annual leave for events but I don't think many people want to do that.

What everyone else said, basically. I was on various PTAs for 10 years and only met a couple of Amanda-esque women, neither of whom stayed long. It's thankless and all the moany fuckers who never get involved but snipe from the sidelines get you down after a bit ... We bought lots of good stuff for the schools, though.

No type. Just someone who prepared to help and make a difference. It's an awful job