Assisting the president is one of the more common duties for a parent-teacher organization vice president, according to Christy Forhan of PTO Today in her May 2011 article "What Does a Vice President Do?" Forhan notes that a lack of thorough detail gives the vice president of a board the opportunity to create a vision for the position. Accepting responsibilities delegated by the president and filling in for his absence in meetings are typical.
Participating as an active and vocal leader during executive PTO board meetings is another critical function of a vice president. Vice presidents do not necessarily have regular discussion responsibilities at meetings but are usually expected to give regular input during discussions and in decision making. Also, when presidents are unable to attend and lead meetings, the vice present must prepare or review the agenda and assume leadership of the meeting.
Forhan also mentions that executive PTO vice presidents are ambassadors for the school and the organization. This includes participation in most or all of the organizations' events. Recruiting other parents to get involved in the PTO and discussing its benefits are important as well. Some vice presidents are also asked to contribute letters or articles in PTO newsletters that go out to other members or parents of children at the school.
In some elementary school PTOs, vice presidents assume oversight duties of one or more committees. PTO committees take on planning and preparation duties for specific activities or events. For instance, the PTO job description for the vice president at Excelsior Elementary in Minnetonka, Minnesota, includes overseeing the Staff Appreciation Committee, which includes calendar development and event follow-up. The vice president for Excelsior is also expected to take charge of sending notes to committee chairpersons after events they facilitate.