Kunena Site Syndication http://www.ptotoday.com/ Sun, 19 May 2013 07:35:10 -0400 Kunena 1.5.8 http://www.ptotoday.com/components/com_kunena/template/schoolfamily/images/english/emoticons/rss.gif http://www.ptotoday.com/ Kunena Site Syndication http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/35-auctions/162275-2013-ultimate-donation-list?limit=6&start=564#163725 I am over the PTO here in Houston. Does anyone know of companies that are willing to donate in the Houston area. Suggestions are truly appreciated. This is my first time doing this and I need all the help I can get. Sat, 18 May 2013 16:09:08 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/11-robts-rules-bylaws-legal/163711-pto-has-fallen-apart-parents-no-longer-care#163720 Hi, Yes, Sunny D is right -- there should be something in the bylaws about terms limits. If you have a situation where executive board members are seen throwing votes into the trash, it's time to bring together the parents you refer to -- the ones who want to help and volunteer -- and go to a meeting and challenge the process. Do you have another meeting before the school year ends? Can you raise these issues then? Hang in there. It's obvious you care about the school and the kids. Rose C. Community Manager Fri, 17 May 2013 09:37:03 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/12-teachersprincipals/163680-how-many-ptos-honor-staff-retirees-in-some-way#163719 Our high school PTA gives each retiring staff person a $25 gift card. But this is a pretty rich PTA. I've got kids in several other schools and have asked around at a couple of neighboring schools, and none of the other schools give gifts. One of them said that they do give out greeting cards (made by a very talented crafty mom who makes her own Christmas cards, etc.), but most said that they had never even thought about doing anything for retiring staff. Not that it's a bad idea, though--but people seemed to think that sending a card was about all they would do. Fri, 17 May 2013 01:04:20 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/25-involvement-ideas-and-challenges/163702-pto-exclusionarybullies#163718 this is all good stuff. wish i had found this resource earlier. it's too late for our family as we are so done with the toxic atmosphere we are gettin out of there. but it's good to know if we get this same treatment again. the clique keeps complaining about how no one will step up but i think they don't really want for anyone to step up... i think they are enjoying their power and try to sound like they want participation but they are very good at rebuffing anyone who ventures near. other volunteers not in their clique have told me they show up to help at events and are not given anything to do so they stand around feeling dumb and then leave. there was one person who had lots of experience and she knew how to make people feel like they were included but she got tired of their games too and left. the pto bullies have a really good gig going on, and they are not going to give it up. Thu, 16 May 2013 23:35:45 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/17-fundraising/163717-radio-disney-#163717 I just got a letter from Radio Disney advertising a program where they help schools do a walkathon or fun run. Does anyone have any experience with them or feedback? Thanks! Thu, 16 May 2013 15:39:29 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/25-involvement-ideas-and-challenges/163453-what-do-teachers-appreciate-most?limit=6&start=12#163715 We gave every teacher a plug in pencil sharpener ;-) Thu, 16 May 2013 10:19:28 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/25-involvement-ideas-and-challenges/163712-missing-board-members-for-next-year#163712 Help! We are in the midst of collecting nominations for next year's PTO board and everyone who was nominated for president and VP has declined! There is nothing in our bylaws that gives direction as to what to do next. We've gone to our principal and received no advice there either. Not a peep. Has anyone run into this before? What was your solution? Has anyone NOT had a PTO board due to poor participation? We have nominees for our other offices, could the board function without a president/VP? It seems the only concern is whether there's someone to run the PTO's largest fundraiser in the spring (there seems to be) and perhaps someone authorized to write checks from the PTO account to fund school activities for the kids. School gets out in a few weeks and we're at a loss. The new officers are to start their terms -- and work -- July 1. Thanks! Thu, 16 May 2013 09:56:32 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/17-fundraising/161414-all-star-active-fundraiser?limit=6&start=24#163709 Our school did the UFC this past week and our kids had so so so much fun. I strongly recommend this activity to any school. Don't let the isolated bad commentor above block your kids from this wonderful experience. Ask them for references like we did. Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:31 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/30-file-exchange-wanted-uploaded-questions/163704-baking-committe-volunteer-letter#163708 Hi Mariana, We don't have a bake sale volunteer letter in our File Exchange, but we do have many, many volunteer letters in our Volunteers and Involvement section of our File Exchange. You can download a file that you think fits and talior it and customize it as needed to work for you. Here's the link: http://www.ptotoday.com/filesharing/category/2-volunteers-a-involvement Also, we do have bake sale flyers on the File Exchange that you could customize as well. That link is here: http://www.ptotoday.com/filesharing/category/71-bake-sales Good luck, Rose C Community Manager Wed, 15 May 2013 13:23:12 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/17-fundraising/163547-no-cost-fundraisers#163707 Plus it can be done anywhere in North America and even people who are not a part of your PTO can jump in. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:13:55 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/35-auctions/163219-auction-software-which-to-choose#163699 We just used Charity Auction Organizer and LOVED IT. It cost $79.00 and did absolutely everything that we needed it to do. 1. Track donations (good/services/cash) 2. Track all donors 3. Creates auction catalog with the click of a button 4. Online ticket sales 5. Credit card processing 6. Robust reporting 7. much more... Can be a bit clunky to navigate but for $79.00 it is unbeatable. All of the credit card processing and check out systems were flawless. Mon, 13 May 2013 14:59:41 -0400 http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/17-fundraising/91049-concession-stand-food-ideas?limit=6&start=60#163695 We are looking at starting concession at our school during school events. Does anyone know what is required for us to sell hot dogs? Do we need a business license? A food handlers card? We have been doing popcorn at some of our events but we have had request for hot dogs, chips and drinks. Not sure what the legalitys would be for doing this. A read several remarks that talk about a consession stand but a lot of our school functions are in the gym at our school. We did a walkathon outside a few weeks ago and it was a success but some parents would have liked us to have consessions. Thank you for any input in helping our school get started. Sun, 12 May 2013 19:26:31 -0400