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Original poster

Pushy Class Reps

69 replies

caterpiller · 05/11/2007 13:40

HELP!!

I need ideas for subtle but effective ways of putting pushy, over-zealous class reps in their place. We've got one this year who's driving us mad..

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MaryAnnSinglebang · 05/11/2007 13:41

do you mean PTA class reps ?

donnie · 05/11/2007 13:42

what exactly is he/she doing that you dislike?

it's a tough job but somebody has to do it.

Budabang · 05/11/2007 13:46

Well I am a class rep - not too pushy though I hope. What is she doing?

MyEye · 05/11/2007 13:48

I've got one too, caterpillar. I just run away when I see her coming.
hth

MaryAnnSinglebang · 05/11/2007 13:50

sometimes class reps have to be pushy because so many other people do bugger all for PTA things - grrr

donnie · 05/11/2007 13:56

yes I agree - it's always the same people who help at the summer fair, Christmas fair,do the collections, buy the presents, arrange nights out ....and always the same people who do nothing at all.

HuwEdwards · 05/11/2007 13:57

we have a PTA, but never heard of a Class Rep - whadda they do?

MyEye · 05/11/2007 13:59

I think it's terrific my CR has the time and energy to do great things for the school, and I am grateful to her for this -- but it is her choice. She gets a big kick out of it, her role on the PTA seems to make her feel good about herself, and that's fabulous, but let's not pretend she's not getting anything out of it.

I'll bake cakes and help out in class as often as I can, but if I have other plans for a Sat night that don't include the school fundraiser barndance, I'd rather not be made to feel I've commited an act of gross indecency

brimfull · 05/11/2007 14:00

give her a break,she's only trying to help your child's school and your child.

why don't you ask if she needs help and show her how you would do the job

donnie · 05/11/2007 14:05

blimey MyEye - keep yer knickers on !

MyEye · 05/11/2007 14:11

Honestly you should have seen her expression when I said we had other plans
lol

seeker · 05/11/2007 14:22

Then I take it you will ask that your child not use whatever books/ equipment/ stuff the schools buys witht he money the PTA raise?

MaryAnnSinglebang · 05/11/2007 14:29

I don't do PTA stuff to make me feel good - I do it for ds and ghis school so that they can go on trips,have extra equipment,prizes etc - I would much rather not have to wash up at tea afternoons, collect jam jars, spend whole afternoons selling stuff in a hot, smelly school hal - I do it because so few others do and I think that is sad.

iota · 05/11/2007 14:30

I agree with you MAS

If I never washed another cup it would be too soon - but hey, somebody has to do it.

hippipoPANDBANGami · 05/11/2007 14:35

At our school the class rep and the PTA are two seperate things.

I am the class rep for dd's reception class, and hopefully not pushy.
So far this term I have put together the emergency phone contact list, helped out in class (and will soon put together a rota so all those who wish to help can do so), and will be helping out when the foundation stage classes put together their nativity.
There is no pushiness involved.

Our PTA chair is quite pushy. But as a PTA member I can see why. It is always the same 10 - 15 parents who give up whole weekends setting up, running, tidying up after PTA events. Those 15 parents single handedly keep the school pool maintained which ALL 300 (!) students enjoy.

So don't hide, politely tell her yo can't help this time but may be available next time. And if you can spare an hour - they will be eternally grateful

MaryAnnSinglebang · 05/11/2007 14:37

yo Hippi ! - just been on the other thread !
and thank you for agreeing iota

donnie · 05/11/2007 14:37

stil there, caterpillar?????

HuwEdwards · 05/11/2007 14:39

Whilst as you know her, you may be sure this woman is 'getting a kick' out of helping in the PTA.

Like many others however, I have a very demanding 4day a week job, and 2 school aged children. I would dearly hope that you don't patronise ALL PTA members in this way.

At the end of the day, all you had to say was 'I have other plans for Saturday night'.

Not really a big deal, is it?

somersetmum · 05/11/2007 14:41

"let's not pretend she's not getting anything out of it"

The only thing she is getting out of it is extra supplies / luxuries for her children to use at school, the same as your children will get whether or not you decide to help. Let's remember that without the PTA the only thing you would get out of it is a big fat nothing.

MyEye · 05/11/2007 14:44

Oh, I'm sure none of the CRs on this thread are anything like her. She is a cross we have to bear

seeker · 05/11/2007 15:09

I have to say the OP's attitude is just the sort of thing that makes me think "Why do I bother?" There are 400 children in our school - 8 parents came to the last PTFA meeting. 8. But I don't see them saying "oh, no, I won't let little Johnny ride the new tricycles - I didn't help raise the money to buy them"

seeker · 05/11/2007 15:09

"And anyway the people who did raise the money are all over-zealous, pushy and on power trips"

Budabang · 05/11/2007 15:33

It really does make you wonder why you bother. I am a class rep and on the PTA. I organise book fairs in school too. The money raised by our PTA goes 50/50 charity/school. This year we have done really well and the school has gotten a lot - trampoline, climbing wall, fencing equipment etc. And yes it is always the same few who get involved and the same few who moan.

MaryAnnSinglebang · 05/11/2007 15:40

there were only 4 people at our last PTA meeting

seeker · 05/11/2007 15:46

My 8 included 4 members of the committee!

How big's your school, MaryAnn?