Tricky situation with PTA, how to handle? (Sorry, long)

[peanutbutterkid]

Years ago I volunteered to become preschool committee chairperson (usual story, NO ONE else would do it). I didn't even have a child attending yet, I had never attended any commitee meeting, ever ever.

It ended in disaster; I kept hearing that the supervisor ("L") was chewing commitee secretary's ear off saying how stressed she was. I asked L about this directly and later tried making jokes about it. L always denied being stressed, never had any concerns that seemed like emergencies, and was deeply offended by my jokes.

We had a new staff member, who was a registered childminder and ran the after school kids' club. 6 weeks after new staff member starts work, L sits me down to state her grievances formally (minuted meeting, I didn't know this was going to happen until it was happening), to say how much disrespect I had shown her on various occasions (jokes said above, and arguing with her at previous committee meeting), and that Preschool was at imminent threat of closure by Ofsted because the CRB application had been delayed and we hadn't written away for the new staff member's job references.

I was exhausted by the Chairperson role, anyway; so I said little, just that I would resign quickly (and I did).

Today L volunteered to be joint-PTA chairperson; her good mates are joint-chair and PTA secretary.

Recently (following MN threads) I realised that our (registered charity) PTA is 2 years overdue with annual returns to the Charity Commission. We probably also don't have a Child Protection Policy or CRB checks on our named trustees (both required by Charity Commission) -- or annual accounts available for any member of public to view (as required by law). I briefly discussed these matters with PTA treasurer and secretary.

I was going to bring these things up briefly at AGM today, and volunteer to sort the admin backlog out. But secretary asked me not to (she didn't say why, though we were tight on time).

Now I am thinking to write the "problems" all out, and hand photocopies to the joint-chairs, secretary + treasurer.

If you've read this far -- congratulations.
QUESTION is: do I still volunteer to sort the PTA paperwork backlog out? Given the one joint chair thinks I'm horrible to work with and an incompetent administrator? Or should I just "bring it to their attention"?

DH says I should just sign off the note saying I am happy to help sort out the situation, but leave it to them to decide what next. Then again, would I be a fool to volunteer to "help sort it out"?

Sorry, That may not be clear, secretary asked me to discuss none of these matters at the AGM, though I don't know why not.

just sack the whole thing off, step back/out and have no more to do with it.
Why involve yourself in it?
Why put yourself through it?
you did ask...

I would do nothing, stay out of it and resign as chair.

seems that way, i just cant understand why she has stayed for this long to be honest, seems like more trouble than its worth.
Has she gone?

write to them tell them what is outstanding and say if they would like you to help sort it out you will wait to hear from them

I'm not chair myself! I was one before for the Preschool, never been an officer for the PTA (preschool experience too traumatic). I'm just an ordinary member who attends most of the meetings, and helps out at some of the events. There IS no real penalty for not getting this paperwork done (no fines, no public name and shame). PTA could be pulled off the register of charities, though...

Didn't expect everyone to say just stay out of completely...

IT completely, even.

Having worked with volunteer organisations for many years, I would say keep well out of it. It sounds like there are some quite serious issues to resolve and you don't have a good working relationship with at least one of the important people. I would draw their attention to the problems in letter form, but leave it at that.

sorry to clarify, wasnt bieng nasty, meant to say that you (peanutkid) have put up with allot since kindly offering t help.
You deserve much better.

Thanks Dissle, I like to think so, too. I even got complimented by Ofsted inspector for admin work I did since for another preschool, so I know I'm not a complete nonce.

Think I will write the letter but not offer to help. When we have PTA meetings DC get to run around playing with the other children of PTA members which DC love, which makes it harder to avoid meetings in future... and our PTA struggles for support so feel guilty about idea of dropping out completely (but tempted, nonetheless).

AS PA secretary I can't imagine why I would ask a fellow committee member not to say something at a meeting- short on time or not it sounds like a priority!

The vast majority of PTA's struglge for supprt- more so if there are entrenched committee types in situ! IME if it collapses totally (s did ours last year) it will end up being rebuilt by a completely new team next, that's what seems to be happening here anyhow (and of course they have me now )

I'd resign, but put down in writing everything that still needs doing, so they can't blame you if it comes back to bite them in the bum!

The Secretary asked you to keep quiet so as not to show them up as not getting the job done properly.

I would raise it at the next meeting under 'Any Other Business' without asking permission first. Just say 'Have you updated the CRBs etc and if not, why not. And follow up with 'what are the implications of this not being done'.

Are PTA members trustees? If so, you all have a legal and financial responsibility to do it correctly.

The schools wellbeing is more important than a few egos.

Thanks for feedback. I don't know exactly who counts as trustee, possibly only the Charity officers? Exactly what "swinging powers" does Char. Commission have (forgive the dumb question)?

I am expecting another baby so was going to step down from regular involvement, this has brought that forward, I suppose since I'm not part of their clique er, circle of close friends. I have written 2 sides of A4 explaining the situation it's a lot to take in and will pass it to all officers under the heading "For your attention". I don't want secretary to feel attacked, but I don't think she should feel that bad, since the paperwork lapse precedes her tenure, and last 2 chairs were evidently oblivious, too.

I would just suggest a complete review of their status as a charity - check that all responsibilities of the committee re security and accounts commitments are being met. Just comment that it is something that often lapses over time as the committee personnel come and go, and is something that should be reviewed annually anyway.

No accusations.

Then step away from it all. I have personal experience, and know friends (more than one !) who have too, of how horrible this sort of thing can become. It sounds like you have more than enough on your plate at the moment.