I am a former PTO President. We have recently moved to a new school district. Upon registering my children in the new school I checked in to the PTO. I found that there was one and I volunteered to help with the next function "the santa shop"
While doing this I asked questions as to when the meetings are ect. I found that there is only a president and no other officers. I then offerd to help and was told that this is the way she likes it. I also found that there are NO books " treasures report, minutes, ect" I also found out that she handles all the incoming and out going money.
I do not understand how this PTO can function with no records. The President holds the check book and only her signiture is needed. She answers to no one and there are NO meetings.
Please let me know what to do about this.
Alisaanne@hotmail.com

Red flags went up all over here! I would show up at the "Santa Shop" and help out. Your child's teacher may be able to give you some background on this if she/he isn't new. Question the principal about this & if further investigation is needed go to the superintendent. See who was on board prior to this president. It might be challenging being new to the district but I believe this does need checking into. This can be done in a tasteful and concerned way. I'm hoping this president at least has children attending this school!?! Maybe she's a relative of an important school official?(Not that this should matter). What PTO member would be in their right mind to refuse help? Good luck.

I don't know about "Red Flags", but I would certainly go on Yellow Alert. There may well be absolutely nothing fishy going on, but this is not a good situation. Even assuming that everything is on the up-and-up, what happens when this person leaves? Or if this person steps in front of a big red truck?

Get involved, and don't antagonize this parent. Work from the assumption that operations are legitimate until you have evidence otherwise.

Then start working on trying to expand the circle of control. Try to sell her on the benefits of having other people help do the work. At the very least, try to convince her that somebody else needs to know what is going on in case she ever becomes unavailable.

You probably are looking at a control freak that cannot delegate. She has probably been burnt in the past by people not doing what they say they will do, and believes that she has to do it all herself or it won't get done. But you are also probably looking at a school where the other parents have allowed this to happen because it is easier to just let her do everything.

If you can become a confidant, you might just find a frightened leader who feels like they have to run as hard as they can just to stay in place because NOBODY else is able and willing.

And you may discover that it would be easier to nail up a water balloon than it would be to get this person to accept help. In that case, GOOD LUCK!

Legally she has to turn over a copy of the stmt of taxes she files for the organization. i would start there... See what this organization is dealing with in $$ (or claiming to be). Put your hand up at the next mtg and offer to assist or become an officer (VP, Treasurer, Recording Sec, Corresp Sec) do this in a postive light at first--Say something to the effect that we are all going to leave this school and wouldn't it be great to have records to pass on to show the next generation how to and what can be done. I expect you will meet resistance, but do not give up. You will be the one to plant the seed and then maybe more people will actually come forward also--I'm sure they talk about this behind the Pres' back and others have also questioned this method silently. Ask to see the bylaws..--BIG STEP NEXT GO TO THE PTO COnference if you are a PTO and take some workshops on organizing the group- even if you have to lay ot the $55 yourself. Heck maybe others will also go if you bring this up and that you will be attending.

Okay, question, I am the President right now and have a VP and a Secretary (this week) last week I didn't for two days but talked her into coming back. So outta four offices I am talking care of three and would welcome a parent to come in and ask "Need help?" Could there be more to this story that we don't know? I can't even repeat some of the things that our former school secretary would tell parents about last years Prez! And I know this hurt us this year!
Before you go digging to much please just talk to the Prez. If this is the way she wants it and no one else is fighting her-cool. Otherwise I would really watch how hard you start digging--you may hit a huge nest of bees.........

I really like KC Swan's plan of action best. That sounds like a really good way to start out investigating the situation cautiously first until you get a better idea of what is going on. Then, based on what you know, you can slowly start working on changes. Trouble comes when you try to change things to quickly and too drastically with out knowing the situation behind it and all the key players involved first. Good luck!