PTO Today

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 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

[code]the principal would "probably REQUIRE membership in the PTA" [/code]

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




[code]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?[/code]

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

[code]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?
[/code]

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

[code]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?[/code]

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

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

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

__________________
[B]Liberalism is not an affilation its a curable disease. [/B]
[I][B]~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus[/B][/I]
[B]The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is to live under the government of worse men."[/B]
[B][I]~Wisdom of Plato[/I][/B]

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.

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.



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.


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.


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

__________________
[B]Liberalism is not an affilation its a curable disease. [/B]
[I][B]~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus[/B][/I]
[B]The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is to live under the government of worse men."[/B]
[B][I]~Wisdom of Plato[/I][/B]

^^i agree with you! we've always had PTO, but some of the other schools in our county have PTA. When we ask for donations from local businesses, they know who we are and they give.

I thought it was.

I just don't understand why they are trying to sell it. Well, money of course, but if your organization is a fit then you shouldn't have to sell it with lies.

I'm just trying to gather the information to debunk the myths.=)

"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"

Can you give me some examples?

"but if your organization is a fit then you shouldn't have to sell it with lies. "

What's in a lie? PTA is a recognizable name, almost Generic for school organizations. The difference sometimes comes with larger donations, PTA's are always 501 (c)(3) non-profits, Others are not.
If your PTO is a registered 501 (c) (3) then there shouldn't be any concerns with potential donors.

You are absolutly right in that about an organization'a "fit" and "A" or "O"

IMHO like the teacher unions, National PTA feels threatened by policies that give parents a choice among schools, such as charter schools, vouchers and tax credits. The group even opposes home schooling -- the ultimate in parent involvement in education!
When conflicts divide the rights of parents from the agenda of teachers unions, National PTA tows the union line. That's because in 1968, PTA adopted a resolution mandating "neutrality" in disagreements with union positions.

CA PTA lobbied for an increase in cigarette tax (1.2 mill spent) to keep kids from buying cigarettes saying then they couldnt afford them -- at $4 / pack -- they should be ID 'em them they cant afford them already
MI PTA lobbied for teacher raises in a school district that paid in the to 5% of the nation (I realize teachers as a whole are underpaid but its not the PTA job)

In 42 state PTA lobbied (spend millions of $$$) for a redo of warnings on cannisters, bottles and other drugs, poisons, pesticides, etc -- when 99% of the items already surpased (and had at least [B]warnining signs, labels[/B] on them (Kinda a waste of money, dontcha think?)

The PTA backs juvenile rights bills in many states for offenders in Youth facilities and jails (lasttime I checked PTA had nothing to do with rehabilitation or the prison system)

The National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA.org) has refused an ex-homosexual group's request to exhibit at its annual convention while welcoming a pro-homosexual activist organization - even inviting it to present a workshop.

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris that Cleveland inner-city parents could use
tax-funded vouchers to send their children to any public, private or parochial school, the National PTA “vowed” to keep fighting school choice. (when is the PTA job to decide where a parent send their child- is the PTA now a taxpayer rights group?)

At its 2001 national convention, the PTA director of public relations dismissed parents and teachers who support the new independent groups. Lobbying for a dues increase, she said, “We want people who are committed to this agenda, and if they’re not, that’s fine. Go be a PTO [an independent parent-teacher organization] and have a nice life.” (so now they dont want us as members???) -- Reiterated by the new Pres and CEO (this past year) who both work for on of the pro-gay rights groups


[B]Did you know???[/B]

The PTA has particularly strong ties to teacher unions. Charlotte Frass, chief Washington lobbyist for the American Federation of Teachers, said, "We often lobby together." Ties are even close to the nation's other leading teachers union, the National Education Association. One of the PTA's three Washington lobbyists is married to an N.E.A. lobbyist, and from the founding of the PTA's Washington legislative office in 1978 through 1993, its lobbyists were housed in rent-reduced offices in the N.E.A.'s headquarters a few block from the White House.

The PTA opposed Bush's tax cuts (have they been drinking with FatBoy Kenedy??)

In December 2000, then-president of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Ginny Markell publicly promoted the documentary [B]That’s a Family![/B], which was intended to teach children that all families, even those headed by homosexual couples, should be accepted.

The national Parent Teacher Association, fondly known as PTA, is under the leadership of chief executive officer Warlene Gary. Ms. Gary previously served as the National Education Association’s human rights director [B][I]and that school union’s liaison to gay interest groups. [/I][/B](National & State PTA's have said they wont pronote homosexuality but are pushing for sex -ed that explains it and says it s OK (Uhh sorry that a parents decision not the PTA)

PTA's have fought for 'gay pride day' but wont allow other groups to host their 'whatever day'


Is that enough??? Should I find some more on how out of touch PTA is with parents and mainstream America where as local PTAs frequently go to bat in budget negotiations to keep teachers and educational resources at their schools. Where funding falls short, local PTAs a majority of the times make up the difference—a practice the National PTA discourages since it runs counter to lobbying efforts for more tax funding.

__________________
[B]Liberalism is not an affilation its a curable disease. [/B]
[I][B]~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus[/B][/I]
[B]The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is to live under the government of worse men."[/B]
[B][I]~Wisdom of Plato[/I][/B]