An update to a few months ago. I joined the PTA as a borad member, I want to understand how it works what it provides so if PTO is better for us I know why. If not I know how to improve our organization.
I was put off when the president said that in order to volunteer or be involved in/at the school, the principal would "probably REQUIRE membership in the PTA" I know there are some parents who are all about education and the kids and making the school better but WILL NOT sign up for PTA based on lobbying efforts for things they do not support. Anyway, I am so:confused: :confused: why turn down volunteers? I understand not wanting crazies and molesters but is this just a tactic to force people into signing up? I think a Parent Teacher group at any school whatever A or O should WELCOME any help and school support. Just me? Is this typical?

Now I am going to just throw out my questions.
Schools that opperate with both PTA and PTO how does this work out? Does it cause problems and split the dollar or is it actually beneficial?
When going PTO do you have to go to the principal and say "hey we are going to be a PTO" and then start the process?
What besides "training" (only in "" because I understand that is to be debated) and insurance and reflections does PTA provide? Can those things be effectively duplicated?
Have PTOs had a hard time fund raising because of being unaffiliated with the PTA name?

I am sure I will think of more as this goes along but any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

The worst thing a school can do, unfortunately its not illegal (a Public School requiring you to join a PRIVATE nonprofit) -- IMHO its UNbeneficial, retarded and unethical (lawsuits pending to get it changed)

No Parent should have to join a Private Nonprofit to be involved in an activity held at a Public school

IMHO it will turn off more parents, community members and stakeholders than it brings in






Not that I know of, but there could be to NonProfits at one school- IMHO it would be very UNbeneficial, dividing resources, money and ideas



Usually the PTA members decide-- a ton of info on this site about this



Uhhh this is debatable -- IMHO PTA provides nothing (the National training is debatable and similar info can be found free or better; State varies from great to nonexistant) that cant be found elsewhere usually for free -- PTA doesnt provide insurance -- it only helps with the discount yes but not neccessarily better -- the reflections program is nice but there is similar stuff available



Absolutely not- in fact it maybe easier because many grants and companies wont donate to PTA (because of Natl's lobbying)

I've been with a group that went PTA to PTO then back to PTA.

Whether we end with an "O" or an "A" the problems were the same. The same low number of people showed up to meetings whether or not there were due involved. (After two years, the PTO leaders didn't have insurance, or get IRS paper work done. We have a small PTA and the few hundred of dollars that we had to pay the state for membership saved us lots of time and hassle to get their help, so we went back to PTA..... our state, WA, has pretty good help and leadership materials... I guess not all states are as lucky,)

Our PTA never turns away a volunteer, we put members and non members on our email list. We like staff to join, but we treat them the same if they do or don't. Non members aren't covered by our bonding insurance, so they can't handle money... but being a parent group is so much more then just about money.

It is all about the people..... if you have a group of parents that know their way around non-profit laws, 501(c)3 regulations, and some solid accounting. A PTO could really be successfull and the right way to go, but our school doesn't have that, so we needed the PTA association to help us keep going.

I think PTOtoday is a great resource for all parent groups.

I'll follow Shawn's format here and offer some of my opinions.



Now I am going to just throw out my questions.
Schools that opperate with both PTA and PTO how does this work out? Does it cause problems and split the dollar or is it actually beneficial?

I've heard some talk of this format here on the boards, but I've really never seen it operate effective;y. And it's very rare. I don't think it's a good idea. The (average) parents at your school don't care about this stuff. And these are the parents we're trying to connect with and engage. Confusion and multiple groups and having to figure things out will only turn more parents away. Insiders -- like leaders and those of us reading this thread -- take the time to figure this acronym stuff out. Average parents don't want to hear about it.



When going PTO do you have to go to the principal and say "hey we are going to be a PTO" and then start the process?

Have to? No. But wise? perhaps. Largely depends on how involved your principal is in your group in general and whether you think the move will create a lot of controversy. Most groups make the change rather easily, and principals appreciate that there will be an extra $1,000 with which to do things for the school. But if you expect a lot if dust to get kicked up, then keeping principal in the loop is wise. In general, a principal who takes the time to read up on this stuff gets the fact that the vast majority of groups are PTOs and the move isn't radical at all.


Have PTOs had a hard time fund raising because of being unaffiliated with the PTA name?

No. This I have never heard. Ironically, the PTA folks often (misguidedly) paint PTOs as "just fundraising groups." So the impression is actually that PTOs fundraise more effectively. But my assessment is that there is no difference at all between the fundraising habits and potential of both acronyms.


I am sure I will think of more as this goes along but any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

Best of luck,

Tim

I only ask about whether it's harder to fundraise because according to state PTA representatives name recognition is one of the benefits implying that businesses donate because it's PTA. I've mentioned here before that I am in UT so around here I think that administrators and educators encourage PTA. I have found that to get membership they require it for involvement, use the kids to manipulate parents to join.
You are right that most parents don't care about the "A" or the "O". I have found that either they don't know what the PTA lobby's for natl or they do and they won't join PTA because of it. Those are the parents I don't think we want to loose. Everytime I have told a parent who didn't know a few of the things PTA lobbies for they are shocked and don't like it. If the majority of voters in the PTA want them to lobby and support what they do that's great but I don't think they represent our community or state for that matter.

In my perfect world, a parents organization would encourage support and involvement from parents without it being costly or complicated. Everyone would be out for the good of the students and the school.

thank you for your imput, I am useing this as a sounding board because I don't know how much I dare say to anyone around here without causing problems.

[qoute]according to state PTA representatives name recognition is one of the benefits implying that businesses donate because it's PTA.[/qoute]

Complete and utter BS