We are currently a PTA thinking of changing to a PTO. A lot of the parents are in agreement but we need to take the first steps. Can we have some help in what those first steps may be??? Thank you.

Hi --

You've come to the right place.

Good chunk of info on this here: http://www.ptotoday.com/ptofaq.html

Specifically, some first steps I'd take:

1. Get a a copy of your bylaws (and/or your state's PTA bylaws) and review what is specifically required of you for disbanding. Armed with this info, you'll be ready to differentiate between what you actually need to do and what you'll be told you need to do (often a significant difference).

2. Continue the in-unit discussion/education process before getting notifying state or getting state PTA involved. Read articles. Discuss the actual golas of your group. Determine what PTA services you are actually using and how you value them (or not). Get feedback from other's who've made switch. Be educated, so that the state PTA side isn't the only one you'll hear.

3. Once you're fairly confident it's the move you want to make, then start the formal process. First step in the formal process (depending on your budget, this may need to begin early): spend down your funds to at/near zero. If there are no funds to worry about/debate about, then you don't have many worries in the process. Then, notify state (if it's required), give any required notice to your membership and move forward with debate and vote.

4. You may also want to begin the process of setting up your PTO before the PTA is formally disbanded. This is perfectly OK and can help make the PTA-to-PTO transition even smoother.

Good luck. Know that tens of thousands of groups have made the switch (successfully) before you.

Tim

Hi Tim, I am pretty new to this site. I have been reading a ton about PTO. I brought up to the board last month about switching to PTO (we currently are PTA) Yes I opened up a big can of worms. I brought it up because we are getting ready to look for new board members for next year, since several are leaving to go on to Jr. High, and a new board member wants to meet to nominate a nomination committee to nominate nominees to be nominated. OK I know (now) that is the PTA bylaws, but, I said "am I crazy or is this just stupid." I don't want to waste my precious time away from my family to have a meeting on this. In the end, anyone who wants to be on the ballot...can! (we are very split board, half are very strict on bylaws and power hungry. and the other half is just here to get things done.) So here I am, having now to present a case for becoming a PTO. I have read allot and agree with it totally (PTO) I wanted to know is there any printed material I can get or purchase to present to the board. They are preparing to have a local PTA rep there to challenge me. UGH! Is there info about bringing someone who is PTO savvy to help me with this?
Thank you, and I appreciate any advice.
Melisa

Hi Melisa --

There aren't prepared materials (brochures or the like --- hmmmm, an idea...) for making the PTO case, other than printing off key sections of this site. But as you can likely tell those weren't prepared as clean hand-outs or the like.

What state are you in?

It seems to me like you're (your group, not necessarily you) jumping the gun a bit going right from "let's consider a switch" right to "let's have the PTA rep in and make our decision." Frankly, at that pace, the PTA rep -- who's probably made the presentation and answered the objections dozens of times -- is at a strong advantage over you. Better in my opinion for you to communicate with and educate (or be educated -- maybe your mind will change) the key leaders of your group behind the scenes. Feel people out. Share some of the learning you've been doing. Photocopy an article or two. And then see where the general consensus stands. If strongly pro going PTO, then start the process. If strongly stay-PTA, then don't bother, don't create the hubbub.

Might be too late for that advice, but....

Good luck. Stick around here and we'll help you through it.

Tim

Tim, I am in Washington State. I have met the PTA rep and she actually changed my thinking about about PTA's, I disagreed with much of what she said. Several of us have been wanting some sort of change for a while now. I really disagree with the political backing of the PTA. But I am not against PTA, I am just not for it. I am for a parent teacher group of some sort. We have a super low membership at our school and get lower every year. Our Principal and PTA Prez, tell the teachers that if they do not become a member themselves they wont get PTA backing. I totally disagree with that. Teachers put in so very much of their own money into teaching, that I think it is not right to make them pay to be apart of the parent teacher group of the school they work at. Same with Parents. I think if you have a child at the school, you should automatically be a part of the parent teacher group. I must be in the minority??
Melisa

Originally posted by <melisa>:
I think it is not right to make them pay to be apart of the parent teacher group of the school they work at. Same with Parents. I think if you have a child at the school, you should automatically be a part of the parent teacher group. I must be in the minority??
No -- you'd be in the majority. Nationwide, more groups don't require dues to vote/participate than do. I'm with you.

If you can get a couple of leaders down to our San Ramon conference (www.ptotoday.com/conference) I know we help you kick-start your group (whether it remains PTA or goes PTO).

Tim