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PTO Code of Conduct

Created January 11, 2011  

Integrity First

  1. Keep your promises. If you say you will do something, including maintaining confidentiality, please fulfill your obligations to the very best of your ability. The reputation and success of the PTO and of the event or job for which you have volunteered depend on promises kept. If you cannot fulfill your promise, please immediately notify an Executive Officer so appropriate steps may be taken. 
  2. Be respectful. Children are guided by the behavior of adults. If we are respectful of RRE rules, (including the dress code as specified by the current RRE Handbook) administration, teachers, staff, students, and each other, regardless of our personal feelings, we are providing a future foundation for children to build on when they work with others. 
  3. Be polite. Discussions, questions and, yes, even disagreements should be polite, courteous and seemly.  Support the final decision of the organization, whether you agree with it, or not. Sometimes, mistakes happen – know it, note improvements for the future, and move on. Second-guessing, complaining, pointing fingers, and/or gossiping not only weaken the organization, it reflects ill of you. 

Service Before Self

  • Remember why. Read and re-read the purpose of the PTO as specified in the PTO By-Laws: “To promote a closer relationship between home and school, allowing parents, teachers, and community to work together for the mutual benefit of the student.  To unite the efforts of the school and community toward educational excellence for the school's students.  To promote and organize all available financial and educational resources to benefit the school and our surrounding community”.  This is not about you; it is about the betterment of Rattlesnake Ridge and our children. 
  • Organizational goals before personal goals. Keep the best interest of the PTO and the school ahead of your own personal agenda and image. Use the PTO By-Laws as the guide for deciding what situations and projects are appropriate for the PTO.  
  • Be open-minded. Look for ways to improve the organization, a function or an event. View situations from an organization-wide perspective. Listen to others’ ideas, suggestions and solutions. 
  • Be altruistic. Volunteer to help a group even if your child is not affected. We all need to be willing to help each other for the best overall good of our children.
  • Be a team player. You have a unique set of gifts and talents to bring to the PTO. Use them to the best of your ability, and allow others to do the same.   

Excellence in All We Do

  • Be an ambassador. Look for opportunities to introduce yourself and draw other parents into the organization. 
  • Take pride in your task, your PTO and your school. Do your best – it’s a reflection of you and the organization. Don’t complain – offer a solution, instead. 
  • Give credit and accept responsibility. Congratulate a fellow member on a good idea or successful event. Graciously accept responsibility for your mistakes and shortcomings. 
  • Remember who you are. You represent Rattlesnake Ridge School, you represent your PTO, and you represent your family.  

Code of Conduct for PTO Meetings

PTO meetings are reserved for reading the minutes, presenting budget information, discussing old business and new business and hearing current updates. Criticism of individual teachers, administrators or parents shall not be voiced in open meetings or executive sessions. Any individual problems arising shall be taken up outside the meeting and should be addressed with either the President of the PTO or the Principal of Rattlesnake Ridge School in accordance with school policy and PTO By-Laws.