I have given the committee heads a go-ahead to do what they feel is best for their committee, she says. Committee heads can t go too far afield, because they still have to run all their ideas by the principal and keep Knoester informed. Her philosophy not only energizes her volunteers, but it also reserves her time and energy for solving problems, answering questions, and giving advice. So far, Knoester says, I m less overwhelmed this year as president than last year when I was Family Night committee chair. Practice selective perfectionism.
Many people fall into the trap of trying to do too many things perfectly.
That s why Julie Morgenstern advises that PTO presidents practice selective perfectionism. If you apply perfectionism nonselectively it can kill you, she says. People have to realize that for many things, good enough is okay. Keep a sense of humor. It s vital that we maintain a sense of perspective, says Bryant, the full-time technology analyst who puts between five to 20 hours per week into her PTO presidency.