What if no ones wants to be PTA President

I'd say if the state and national can't answer the question, you go ahead with whatever works. I am sorry they weren't more responsive. I would find that very frustrating--but I still think we get our money's worth from our dues! :)

Every year, with every change in officers, is a time to sit down and look at priorities vs. resources for the upcoming year. What issues are you facing? What will get parents in the door for meetings? Are you having too many meetings with nothing to say? In that case, why would anyone come? :) TeacherParent, I'm sorry to hear that the administration tried to shut you down on so many topics--we do bring in guest speakers on topics we hope will interest parents, and it helps bring up numbers at our meetings.

Thinking through the co-president thing, I'd say you pick one person whose name is registered offically with state, then work out the details within your unit about who does what. Anything to get the job done!

Thanks for the input. We will look into the by-laws. I am not on the executive board and I do not have a copy of the by-laws and I'm not knowledgeable on how to change by-laws. But I will look further into that.

This unit already works well with administration, teachers, and staff dealing with a variety of issues including wellness, homework helpers, D.A.R.E. (Red Ribbon Awareness) events, and the coordination of many events such as picture day, book fairs, and cultural arts (assemblies) in addition to the usual field days and the organization of classroom celebrations.

I have been in contact with National PTA and NY State PTA. But neither was able to provide any direction (in fact neither actually answered my e-mail but at least NYS PTA answered the phone). I am disappointed in that lack of guidance or interest. For what do we pay all those dues?

I guess it will all work out. I am only one person -- my kids have already "graduated" from the school in question and I am simply a supportive community member who remains active. I think the unit will have to carefully examine its priorities and possibly eliminate some of the activities it ordinarily coordinates. We'll see if someone will step up to an abbreviated version of the office.

Thank you again.

These days it's increasingly hard to get people to president many organizations. PTA and many other organizations depended on mothers who didn't work outside the home to take on these jobs and now many mothers do work outside the home.
I think there's also a feeling that these jobs are difficult and thankless - we all seem to be a bit afraid of taking these things on.
Even if the bylaws don't allow co-presidents in your PTA I'd say change the by-laws if you can find two willing to share the job.
I'd also say - our PTA here didn't do much and I think that's a reason for a certain lack of interest in them here The one meeting we had that we said would be directed to school reform brought out the entire community! People were very restless at the idea of 'school reform' but other than that, few people would come to any meeting and most meetings seemed to drone on about nothing.
We wanted to consider topics like - bullying, supervision on the playground and lunchroom, the food offered to the children and the poor quality of it and the high fat of it but anytime our PTA ventured onto those kind of topics, the school would bristle and ask us to please confining ourselves to baking more cupcakes and raising more money.

Thanks for the advice. At this time, no one on the executive board wants to step up together as co-presidents -- I believe the title itself is daunting. So, that is apparently not an option at this time.

I have joined the PTA/PTO discussion group on this site and posed this question there as well. Thanks for that tip as well.

Happy Mother's Day.