PTO Today

Can anyone help fix this issue. We are in the process of cordinating our Talent show and would like to invite the homeschool children in our community to participate. One individual on the board is against it and is trying very hard not to allow it to happen. It was stated to us that in our bylaws it indicated that non-members may not participate in any activities sponsored by the PTO. It doesn't state that non-members my not attend PTO meetings.
It has gotten to the point that administration has been asked for their advice and unfortunatley no questions have been answered. Some of the board members are now wanting to change the bylaws so that it specifically says that only enrolled students can participate and they also want to add that no meeting or functions can be held at an establishment that sell or could potentially sell alcohol because one of our committee meetings for the talent show was going to be held at a local bar and grill in the back room of the building. I was going to be told to the bartender and the owner that no alcohol was to be sold to anyone involved in the meeting until we had concluded. But it has never been a issue or problem to have our mother son bowling event at a bowling alley that sells liquor. Not to the mothers but to other individuals that are locals in the area. I really need some claificassion to all this on what it legal or at least what is morally correct. If you have any articles to back this up I would greatly appreciate it.

My first instinct would be to ask how does your bylaws define a 'member' of the organization. Until the bylaws are changed there is no choice but to follow them until they are changed.
As far as attendance of events and meetings, many non-members attend events of our organization; however, they are close family members to a student in the school (Grandparent, Aunts, Uncles, older siblings etc.).
Just to understand - Why do some feel the need to include homeschool children? While its wonderful to get the whole community involved, these parents have chosen not to send their children to your school. Would they attend?

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I agree with silver that if it is in the bylaws you must comply. However, at our talent show we allow out of district children to be a part of an act as long as they are with an in district child. Like they do a magic act together or something. Perhaps if you pitch it to the board in that way they will be more accepting of the idea. Good luck!

I think mama's approach (and silver) are correct. As to the location of the meeting if there are no children attending I wouldn't think it was a big deal to use a room at a local place. Unless we're talking honky tonk sort of bar. If folks are so morally offended however, and since this is a bit of a "topic" just have the meeting somewhere else and then let folks interested go out afterwards.
It seems you all are losing site of the issue that this is supposed to be a fun event for the children. Get over the bickering and move on. Follow your bylaws and if one member of the board disagrees, take a vote. If she loses the vote is over and you go with the majority. Case closed.
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Funny, I wonder if non-members get the priviledge of selling fund raising stuff as well? Attend and participate are two totally different things. It just seems to go against everything that PTO's stand for to say that only people who are members, and their families may participate in an event. If the PTO exists to support the school, and this is a school event, then anyone from the school should be able to attend. Forget the home school issue - this is a big enough problem to address.

As to the home schoolers, they are not members of the school district and are not on your school's enrollment roster, they don't get the advantages of the bonus events that the school does. (Did you invite all the private school kids as well?)

As to the alcohol thing, I think someone needs to get a clue. This would eliminate, bowling alleys, baseball parks, basketball stadiums and more. It's just silly and shouldn't be included in any by-laws of your organization.

I'd just let this slide. Get on to the important things of your group.