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Does your PTA committee get snotty emails from the previous committee?

8 replies

BatmanLovesRobin · 05/11/2011 09:00

We are really struggling with this. The previous committee had been involved with the PTA for many years. They were very good at what they did, but it had become a bit stale (all the stalls had to be in precisely the same place at the fairs every year, for example). They all resigned together as most of them had Year 6 children, but a couple are still at school.

We are getting constant emails / stopped in school that are negative and touchy. 'Why are you doing this?' 'Why wasn't I informed?' 'We did it this way' etc. It is becoming very stressful for the Secretary, who bears the brunt of it.

The thing is, they do have very valuable things to say, and we may well need their help on a couple of things as and when they crop up, so I don't want to piss them off. BUT, the constant negativity (no well done after the first event, which went extremely well, just a constant litany of how we could have done it better) is placing stress upon us all. We are volunteers! We want the best for the school too! There are other ways of doing things!

How can we deal with this situation, O Wise MumsNetters? Grin

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ragged · 05/11/2011 09:04

No, omg Blush!

ragged · 05/11/2011 09:04

oops, meant Shock!

BatmanLovesRobin · 05/11/2011 09:11

Oh blast, really don't want to have to annoy anybody, after all they want the best for the school too, but I'm going to have to say something, aren't I? Tact is not my forte when I am cross...

OP posts:
LondonMumsie · 05/11/2011 09:22

Can you try not to be cross? Is there any way to harness their viewpoint (e.g. head out for coffee and ask their ideas) but then set it them to one side?

We found having a once-a-term "thank you social" for the PTA and making sure to invite the past members made them feel like their input was still valued and we seemed to get more space from them.

BatmanLovesRobin · 05/11/2011 09:33

That's a good idea (I like a good social Grin ). It's really hard to not be cross when you're constantly fielding a barrage of negativity - I am a very laidback person and it's unusual for me to get wound up about things. It's just difficult seeing the Secretary in tears (again) after the latest 'I've got some issues about what you wrote in the last email' email.

I think I will continue to accept the emails as 'advice'. organise a social like you say, and hope that there will be a natural opportunity to get them to see how constant nitpicking is actually detrimental to what is after all, the aim of both them and us.

Thanks!

OP posts:
JWIM · 05/11/2011 10:08

Possibly confrontational - collect together all e-mails/paperwork received (but delete identity) in to one document and send to all past committee members, saying that you have anoymised to 'save parental embarassment', explain that the secretary and other current volunteers has been upset that their efforts are attracting negative comments and asking if the previous committee members can offer their experience on how to respond positively.

BatmanLovesRobin · 05/11/2011 10:27

Oh, that is so tempting JWIM - I think I shall wait until I am calm and rational before embarking on inflammatory fun Grin

OP posts:
eaglewings · 05/11/2011 10:33

The old PTA seriously need to let go

Perhaps all emails could have the same response without being read

Thank you for your comment.

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