PTO Today

Our group decided over a year ago to leave PTA and form a new group. We made our bylaws, secured insurance, got our EIN and just got our final approval for non-profit status (509(c)(3)). Our account is almost down to zero and will be as soon as 3 last checks clear the bank.

So, it's time to cut the tie to PTA. How do we do that? I am SO tired of box after box being delivered to my porch and all the emails clogging my inbox. We want out!

Is there a local PTA board that you had to send dues to or anything in the past? If so, maybe a well worded letter, email or phone call to tell them you've disbanded is in order.

Did you pay dues last year to PTA? Did you have a membership drive last year or this for PTA?

If no to both, then you're basically all done anyway.

If you'd like, you can certainly drop aletter or email to PTA folks. You'll likely get a perturbed call in return, but if there are no members and no funds, then the perturbation will be largely about nothing.

Tim

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, we did pay dues last year, but we paid for the minimum 15 members out of our account because we did not have 1 5 members.

So, we should be able to just not pay our insurance and PTA dues and have them disband us? That would be much easier than dealing with the return calls/letters if we were to contact them and severe the ties.

May I ask how much it cost and the time it took to get your 509(c)(3) and what is the difference between that and the 501(C)(3). Our organization is looking at changing from a PTO to a PTA. The main reason is that we do not have a non-profit status and our past officers were not following state and federal filing laws. They assumed since we did not have a federal tax number we did not have to file taxes. As new officers we would like to become (legal)but are unalbe to get an exact cost or amount of time ist will be to get a 501(c)(3)and what the insurance will cost us. That is why some of the officers want to change to the PTA. I am not in agreement, we have a very strong volunteer base and have done extreamly well as a so called PTO. I think even it the cost and time is high in the begining in the long run it will be more profitable. I feel that dues and fees can only go up. Also can anyone tell me of any other fees associated with becomming or being a PTA other than the $3.50 per member fee per year.

Hi cc -

I suspect the "509" listed above is a typo.

RE: 501c3, I believe the cost for most groups is a $750 one-time filing fee. You're right, though, that cost goes away whereas PTA dues commitment are annual. Also right that I've never seen them go down. Are you sure that your combined county + state + national dues are only $3.50 per member per year? That's on the low side. More typical is $4 - $4.50 per member per year.

Lots of good info on PTO insurance here: www.ptotoday.com/insurance. Important to note that insurance is an added cost for PTAs, as well -- not covered by your dues.

Work-wise, the 501c3 app takes some paperwork, but it's not overly arduous. We have a Guidebook here: Start-Up Guide .... that will walk you steb-by-step through that process. Thousands of groups have used that successfully.

RE: PTA fees. As noted above, the dues come due each year. And insurance is extra. Attending PTA conventions -- should you choose to do so -- is extra, as well. *Applying* (???) for PTA's involvement certification program costs extra, as well. So there are definitely costs. If you're going to use the benefits and you think the costs match the benefits you'll use -- great. But getting your 501c3 alone typically isn't nearly enough.

Tim