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Alright, the nuances of each school's PTA are different. But here are a few things to consider:
1) If this is an actual "PTA" (meaning it's part of the national organization) then they have very specific rules and guidelines they must follow. Could some the "red tape" you are hearing about be related to some specific bylaws? And if not due to a rule, it could just be the "way they do things" (maybe for a good reason, maybe not.) Even if this PTA isn't part of the national PTA, they'll still have their own rules and guidelines to follow.
2) Sounds obvious, but really absorbing this fact helped me reframe my involvement in the PTA: it's ALL VOLUNTEERS. Sometimes in a volunteer organization you just gotta take what you can get. Most PTAs I've been with are truly happy to have more parents involved. But being based completely on volunteers means they have to be exceedingly polite. Someone who takes charge and knows how to get things done, may find herself doing most of the work on her own.
3) Conversely, perhaps: I am but I small cog in very big machine. A machine that chugged along before me, and will continue to chug along years after I've moved on...
4) As a general rule, people can go a little nuts over things that involve their children and their money.
In conclusion: just do your best (what have you got to lose?) follow the rules, and don't make a big deal out it! Just get it done.
Thanks. Yeah that's a new mentality for me being I had so much autonomy in my work. But I will keep those things in mind. I am pretty sure I can adjust.
Luckily none of the women appear catty. But it is still very hard to be the new kid. I am hoping things go smoothly. I'm for sure aiming for go along to get along. I don't want to come charging in and bossing people around or stepping on toes. I just want to do a good job.
And they should appreciate your enthusiasm and new/fresh ideas, not step back as though you were a leper.
I've worked in PTAs in both public and private schools and I will say I sympathize a bit with having to please a bunch of people, getting things checked off. In a private setting, people are paying a lot and expect a lot. I don't think it's out of the ordinary for the old timers to be wary of the parents, the board, the people that run the alumni office, etc.
Most people can't see the vision until it's in front of them. If you ask a bunch of people for approval on a creative project when they don't have that kind of creativity, you'll always get negative feedback because they just can't see what you do. If it were me, I would fly solo (if possible) and make it awesome and then present it. If they don't like it, no big deal. You spent a lot of time but hopefully got to whet your creative whistle. Second time around you can choose to either be involved or not.
If they love what you did, you'll likely have the opportunity to do more similar projects like this with more autonomy. And don't forget that if you want to get back in the work force some day, this is a great opportunity to keep your foot in the door.
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