what does it mean to be co chair at a non profit

Running a PTA

The benefits of co-chairing

We asked PTA co-chairs to explain why sharing responsibilities works for them

In recent years, more than and more than PTAs accept found it difficult to get one person to accept on the position of chair. Many have solved this problem by finding two or more than to share the role and go co-chairs. Appointing co-chairs can be a positive experience for PTAs, with the benefits unremarkably outweighing any drawbacks. Co-chairs must work in harmony and trust one another, and clear communication is key.

• PTA committee roles and responsibilities
• Other PTA committee roles and responsibilities
• Succession planning

Consider co-chairing if you don't have enough time to take on all of the office. If your PTA is large and successful, it may require more commitment than whatsoever i person tin can offer. Busy parents and carers sometimes have to put family first, and periods of limited availability are likely. Having a co-chair buddy provides fill-in for both parties and can prevent you from becoming overwhelmed. If one of you lot has more time than the other, you might take this into account when discussing how yous're going to divide the tasks.

Being PTA chair requires a variety of skills. Few come to the role with prior noesis of running a charity, chairing meetings, issue planning and people direction, which tin make the position a daunting prospect. With little fourth dimension available in which to acquire new skills, co-chairing enables you to split the tasks according to your talents and experience.

Information technology can exist lonely at the top. Many parents feel uncomfortable beingness the only one and don't want to shoulder all the responsibility. Meeting the headteacher on your ain tin can feel like being back at school. Many co-chairs find it reassuring to accept a sounding lath for ideas and planning.

Co-chairing is a slap-up way to test the waters. Subsequently a period as co-chair, you may notice you have the confidence and skills to become chair in your own correct. Continuity of leadership and a smooth handover do good the PTA too. If one co-chair does step downwards, information technology's less daunting for someone new to accept on the role if they can share it with an experienced person.

Avert potential pitfalls

• Determine how you will split the workload and stick to it. Roles often fall automatically, but don't assume this volition happen. Be careful to avoid duplicating work or missing things.
• Agree who will have the deciding vote if voting were to be tied at a PTA committee meeting.
• Keep decision-making clear and avoid taking upwardly likewise much time making decisions.
• Programme for the situation where ane of you lot needs to work more or has family commitments that take upwardly your fourth dimension. What will you do?
• Discuss how you lot will resolve any issues that ascend. For more serious disagreements, check your governing certificate for a disputes clause and agree to be bound by it.

Success stories

Jessica Guidobono Practiced: 'Anna Williams and I have been co-chairs since the autumn term last yr and it's been great. We share out the tasks and conclusion-making, so it doesn't feel like everything rests on one person's shoulders. It actually depends on the ii co-chairs getting along well and being able to work together effectively. I don't call up I could co-chair with just anyone...'

Anna Williams: 'Agreed! The primal is finding someone who can complement your skills. We are both good at different things, which makes united states of america a stiff team.'

Tamsin Gillard-Moss: 'I've co-chaired for two years with a different co-chair each year. Information technology works really well and takes the pressure off the one person in the chairman position. Having 2 people meet with the head makes information technology easier to present a united front, and to report dorsum accurately. Sometimes it can be lonely at the summit...'

Laura Smith: 'I am a co-chair and I wouldn't accept it any other style! We utilize an app chosen Wunderlist, where nosotros add items that need to be washed. It's a shared listing, so we can both scissure on and tick things off. Nosotros agree who is going to run the adjacent meeting and that person organises the agenda. We split the events appropriately.'

Jemma Barker: 'I'm a co-chair and information technology works brilliantly. We each accept an event and lead on information technology with the other supporting. Nosotros complement each other: one prefers lists, particular and school communications, the other does more of the promotional/marketing and buying stuff, and parent communications. We concord on any decisions that need to be taken and it works very well.'

'Having three of u.s.a. gives us the momentum to move forrard'

'When our previous chair stepped down two years ago, I was tempted to have on the office, simply didn't experience able to manage it all on my own. Afterward asking around amid the mums in my child's year group, I found two others who were willing to bring together me. Although nosotros weren't friends at the start, we have get skilful friends since nosotros started co-chairing.

Having three of us sharing the office has worked really well, as between u.s. we always seem to have the momentum to move forrard. We share the responsibilities and tasks, and are able to step in and out of the role as our abode and work lives allow. We all know it's ok to say "I'thou non able to do this". If one of us were to leave, it would exist easier to recruit another co-chair rather than having to find one person to have on all the duties at one time. We take information technology in turns to chair committee meetings, and cull which of the PTA's projects we each want to oversee.

We communicate regularly - on WhatsApp or in person - and are open and honest with each other. We recognise it'due south OK to disagree, every bit long as nosotros have a majority of two of us agreeing. Having said that, we accept always found ourselves to be similar-minded, so far!

For the states to be an constructive team, nosotros have agreed our goals and mission argument, and try and work out a plan for each yr in advance. This helps overcome whatsoever incertitude and prevents things being overlooked.

Obviously, things don't e'er go exactly to programme - every bit living through lockdown has proved! We accept been able to adapt, yet, via virtual meetings and social media, and accept recently supported our school community with online fundraising and a hamlet gnome hunt!'

Liv Myson, co-chair, Friends of Pendragon, Pendragon Customs Primary School, Cambridge (379 pupils)

• For further guidance, check your constitution or governing document for information apropos the specific roles and responsibilities of your chair.

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Source: https://www.pta.co.uk/running-a-pta/managing-a-pta/the-benefits-of-co-chairing/

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