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!

Love this! So true!

Me.

I was asked, I knew most parents as I’m quite social and was fully supportive of the schools goals.

You become hated because no one ever offers to help so you have to do it all ir bully people. It’s frustrating - those who don’t get involved IMO don’t give two shots about their children or other peoples. They also never donate so they really aren’t doing anything.
its a thankless job tbh, and I admire those who do it having walked in their shoes.

In our case the person who is nosey as hell and wants to know all the inner workings of the school, which she then discusses with her wider family, even stuff that is meant to be confidential.

How do I know? Her child is friends with mine and that child tells me all their mothers thoughts on the school and how it is run.

This

our pta group is lovely

Usually a high energy well organised person.

I joined the PTA when I moved to a new area and it was a fabulous way to help the school and make new friends. Can be hard to get out once you are in though……

Oh, and I work nearly full time,

In my experience it was the extrovert ott mum, who walked round the school with her nose in the air, although she chatted to everyone and seemed nice I think it was kind of fake because her children were and still are awful to other children, they are brought up like princesses. The whole family has to be centre of attention, be it the school gates or parties

And no I didn’t Bully but I did become incredibly frustrated with the lacklustre parents at time. Especially as the most hideous offenders were sahm with nothing else to do.

There is a saying - if you want something done ask a busy person. So all of us busy people too it in. We set some big goals and achieved them, after that I had a family illness so that too priority.

No one ever said thanks.

Head of PTA at our school was a woman who didn't work so had lots of spare time when the kids were at school. She didn't have younger kids and had a husband who I guess earned enough so she didn't have to work. She used to try and get me to help but I never had the time as I was a single working mum to a lovely autistic child and had to literally power march or sometimes actually run to school to not be late for pick up. She was nice but I think she thought as she had all day spare to organise school events that we all did.

a boring sort of type - like Sandra dee from Grease!

no offence to any of the chairs on here

Why would they/we be 'a boring sort of type'?

Does that apply to everyone who volunteers for anything, or is it just reserved for the PTA?

I'm heavily involved in our school's PTA but not chair. Our chair is easily the most professional of the small team, she knows what she's doing and gives it so much of herself. She works full time around it.

Underneath her is a team, all of whom work full time too. We spend our spare time showing the kids that community is worth investing in. We want the school to be somewhere they can be proud of, enjoy themselves and learn that, as with everything, you get out what you put in.

We run events that give children experiences they might not get without us. We use the money to make their school lives better. It's a lovely thing, and so rewarding. More important now than ever.

Nailed it.

You could be right, rumours do often swirl. Though just to mention that this was a school in continental Europe, not the UK. Not sure of exact powers of the PTA, but they definitely seemed to involve themselves in everything!

I did it for a year with my friend as no one else would and we felt bad as someone had to do it urgh really didnt enjoy it at all. Thankfully a super woman took it over she was awesome. We are still friends years later. She was on a career break the school were lucky to have her she’s gone back to being a high flyer now.

A parent?

The person who picked the short straw.

Math that’s a very boring and correct answer.

Think op is looking for tales of hair swishing / cakes at dawn / cosying up to teachers / ruling the school. The reality is far from that!

That said my Dd was Mary <runs away fast>

Professional, confident, middle class, busy, personable and wants to direct the school to ( usually) benefit their offspring/ grandchildren

I always find it a bit weird how people resent the fact that you get involved in the PTA/coaching/running a club primarily for the benefit of your own child. Why wouldn't that be your primary motivation? Who is on such organisations without children of their own? It benefits other children equally, but yes, normally you want to make the places your children are the best they can be and you put the time and effort in to make that happen. I don't understand why that's some kind of a poor reflection on your volunteering.

I'm not going on the PTA in a school that my child isn't in. If that makes me selfish, self absorbed and questionably motivated, well, OK. Good luck finding the people to entice into doing all the work it involves out of disinterested altruism.

I don't really understand why anyone would resent or snigger about PTA members either.

Our school hasn't had an active PTA since pre covid. They put out a plea before Christmas and I went along, thinking that out of 360 pupils, a dozen or so parents might be interested. There were two of us that showed up. So between us, one is Treasurer and one is Chair. There's a third member who helps out but is unable to attend meetings due to work. A lot of our discussiom and decisions etc are therefore done on the WhatsApp chat.

I'm Autistic. My child is Autistic. Part of my reasoning for being involved is because I always think that if you put some effort in and show willing, it can pay dividends. Building relationships with others within the school and giving something back. Wanting to be part of a community, rather than rebelling against it in some cases.

We don't rule the roost in any way. We are told what the school currently needs, and we fundraise for that. We don't pick and choose or asset our own preferences at all.

We call out for assistance all the time. Nobody else has really shown any interest. Part of that, I know, is down to people's time and priorities. I get that, but I also think a lot of parents don't come forward because of the 'Urgh, dreaded PTA' stereotype.

This is a good point, people will spend what they had in mind regardless

People like to pretend that it's a controlling bitch like Amanda from Motherland*, or a SAHM with loads of time on her hands to justify the fact that they never volunteer for anything. There's not a grain of truth in it.

It is the person who feels bad for the awkward silence when they ask for volunteers, they are the person who has empathy for the current head of the PTA and how hard they are working and how thankless it feels that nobody wants to have it handed on to them, they are organised enough and optimistic that the school has lots of lovely people in it that might want to help with a summer fete or something, after a year they will be disillusioned on this point.

*Also, Julia is a lot more grasping and entitled than Amanda, who actually hosts parties and does things for other people, all Julia does is try and force her kids on people and not take any responsibility for herself.

Narcissistic twats usually whose kids are better than everyone else’s.

Helpful people