Dealing With A Petty and Apathetic Prom Committee?

Question

Our teacher sponsor for prom recently quit out of frustration with the officers' constant bickering with the students and each other over the prom theme, DJ, location, fundraising, the price...Currently, senior dues are $240 total, which includes senior activities at the end of the year, but also depends on $2000 in fundraising (an optimistic figure). Each homeroom has two representatives, but hardly any of them show up to meetings. People are spending far too much time blaming everything on everybody else and not trying to come up with better ideas. Does anyone have any suggestions for how I could approach the committee and tell them some of my ideas? Do you think I should talk to my representatives and offer to take their position, since neither one of them cares enough to show up to or speak up in meetings? I have a lot of good ideas, but they're not being heard in the current setup. I want prom this year to be fun, drama-free, and let everyone have a say in how it will happen.

Answer 1

The last thing you want is decisions made by a committee. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Stage a takeover and make it a dictatorship. Make all the decision yourself and it will all go fine.

Answer 2

Cer798: What do you have against Senior Citizens Subgroup?

You'll more than likely find a simple solution to your problem from that group. Experience can be very useful for problem solving.

Don't be so judgemental or narrow minded.

Answer 3

Your committee needs a chairperson, or leader to help decide issues. Nothing will get resolved without making decisions. Vote on a chairperson ASAP. The chairperson should preside over each meeting. He/she should address each issue, ask for solutions and ideas. Then put each issue to a vote. One by one these issues will be resolved.

Things to keep in mind:

* The decision of the chairperson is final...(unless a vote to change the decision is put forth).

* Delegate authority...assign committee members to work on specific issues, then report progress or problems to the chairperson.

* Consider posting a notice about the change in committee action...(or text committee members or however you choose to communicate)...let them know decisions are being made by vote and their votes are needed.

* Ask for another teacher sponsor. Let the school staff know you now have a different plan of action.

* If possible, have refreshments at the committee meetings....This may sound trivial, but you are teenagers and always hungry, right? You'd be surprised at how much work can get done while munching on snacks.  And, food always brings people together.

*The chairperson should let committee members feel appreciated.

*Be confident in your abilities to make these much needed changes. If the idea of electing a chairperson is met with acceptance, you should have someone nominate you.

*Go to your school library and check out the book "Robert's Rules of Order".  If you don't know what it's about, it contains the tried and true rules that are used in holding meetings....old business/new business, motions, voting, etc.. (It is not a very long book at all).

Sounds like you are a go-getter...and the only one who is willing to make this work. I wish you success.