PTA to PTO switch in Utah
January 28th, 2009 by tsullivanQuick story from Utah on a PTA-to-PTO switch. The reasons given are fairly standard: feeling that dollars going out don’t match value and a bit of a mis-fit with PTA politics. The non-standard part is the state. Utah remains the highest % PTA state in the country (by far).
Found this quote:
Other benefits Dyreng has seen through the PTO are not having to deal with the politics of a national association. “We’re just not tied to all the politics the PTA has,” said Dyreng.
…interesting, as it captures pretty well the common, subtle disconnect between PTA politics and locals. It’s not content of PTA positions that is typically the issue, but more the fact that the connection to politics (by definition, politics = contentious) tends to get in way of what many groups consider their more important goals of growing parent involvement, creating community at school and supporting kids and teachers. Politics isn’t exactly the recipe for kum-bay-ya togetherness and involvement.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
It all comes down to the trend to think global and act local. We want to see the difference in our town, not our state that the PTA makes. There should be less emphasis on membership dues and more on just a donation policy for PTO’s and other organizations. I have no problem making a donation part of our PTO budget, to support legislation, but to support the salaries, meals and trips of the higher ups in the PTA is not what I consider a good use of our local funds.
February 10th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
It all depends on the folks in charge and how they influence what the school does…we take advantage of the PTA programs – Masterworks (Art exposure by volunteers), Youth Making A Difference (Celebration of student volunteering), Reflections (art expression competition) and more. If all you are concerned about is your own school then a PTO is certainly the way to go. In Michigan we have some funding issues that PTA lobbies to change. Every group is what you make of it and here in Livonia, PTA supports our kids, parents and staff!
February 18th, 2009 at 11:54 am
It really saddens me when people are so selfish that they can’t see what is right in front of them. PTA AFFECTS ALL CHILDREN. They do lobby in DC and in each state capitol. They have people who keep members informed about what our leaders are trying to pass that would affect children. Why would you be so self-centered to not be able to see that what national does affect your own little school. If as a PTA you are concerned about seeing a difference in your own town, step up take action, and use the Power of PTA (because there is a power behind it) to change rules and policies. It is easier than you think, and all it takes in one little idea to change everything. Then when you make your town better you can apply for grants from National because you were an effective advocate! Wow, using PTA to change, and then getting money for it? It really sounds like a bad deal. I would not even think to belong to a PTO. I get what PTA is, and for the most part PTO’s do not.
February 18th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Quick reply to both of the last two posters:
Hi Shelly — I agree that every group is what you make it. There are PTOs that do amazing work and PTAs that do amazing work. And there are PTAs that take great advantage of PTA offerings (and for whom PTA political focus is a great fit). Love when that happens. But I’d take exception to the characterization of PTO leaders as “only caring about their own schools”. Almost every PTO (and PTA) leader I meet has a real passion for kids and schools — all kids and schools — and they show that in their involvement, their many (even non-school) volunteer efforts, their voting and more. They often feel that focusing on their own school is the best recipe for making change in a sort of “Think Globally, Act Locally” sort of way. They’re extremely concerned about all children, but they believe they’re acting on that concern in the best way they can through their local PTO.
Jennifer — thanks for adding your point of view. All of the spouses of the PTO leaders who give hundreds and hundreds of hours of unpaid labor to kids and schools and all of the millions of kids who benefit from those hours beg to differ with your use of the word “selfish” to describe PTO leaders. I’ve seen selfish and PTO leaders aren’t it.
Tim
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I read the above article & I live in Utah and am a PTA president. First off, the article quoted above makes it sound like the main reason those Layton schools switched to a PTO is money going to national. A portion of $5 dues is all that goes out of your school. No other fundraised money leaves your school. We are talking about $5 here and in Utah $2.25 stays at your school unless you belong to a council level. Our council level PTA takes .40 cents per membership. In PTA budgets, I think that most schools would say that the membership dues are a very minor source of income. As for politics, PTA gives every member the opportunity to be educated and vote. They do not make you vote their way. In the voucher issue last year, they took a stand against vouchers and asked us to let people know their position, but there was no one telling me that it had to be my personal opinion and I felt I could vote how I wanted. I see what the state PTA people do and they are volunteer men & women like me who have stepped up when called to serve and in Utah they do a great job watching the laws that are passed to protect education and the children in our state. Utah also has really protected their state trust lands & PTA plays a critical part in safeguarding those funds. Most people don’t have any idea what they are talking about when they talk on the PTA/PTO issue. What is so bad about PTA. It is an organization that has been around for years and has everything in place to help you succeed. Utah does provide liability coverage for it’s elected officers also and we do not have to pay for that. They have bylaws already set up and codes of ethics & financial fiduciary responsiblities. Who in their right mind would want to start all that up from ground zero with a PTO and then hope you have got it all right so crazy parents can’t sue you is beyond me. PTA’s have declining membership because we have two working parent familiies & people with NO TIME! That is the primary reason we get on our survey of why people don’t belong to PTA – NO TIME – I WORK and they are afraid that joining PTA will commit them to time they don’t have. It is happening everywhere. With less people willing to volunteer and stresses of life, I am so glad that PTA is there with training, support, structure, programs, bylaws, government watchdog proctices, etc. etc. Thankyou PTA for making this big scary job easier. We welcome anyone & everyone to help at our school regardless of whether they belong to the PTA or not. The most important thing is to be involved. As for my opinion, PTA makes this easier.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
As incoming President for our Elementary PTA, I am weighing the pros and cons of remaining a part of this organization. I am also wondering what I would have to do should the vote come down to a change. Can anyone offer advise &/or point me in the right direction? Thank you!
February 25th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Hi Audrey – this FAQ document talks about how to switch from a PTA to a PTO and how to get started as a PTO. You’ll find it here – http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/480-pto-vs-pta-faqs
You’ll also find lots of experienced folks willing to help on our message boards. You can read through past discussions or post your own specific question. The message boards are here – http://www.ptotoday.com/boards/
Kathryn
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Quick response to alethbridge -
I completely hear you and am glad PTA is a fit for your group. Hope you’ll continue to use all the great resources available here, as well.
When you mention that PTA members get a voice in PTA political positions, you are correct. The missing piece, though, is that — for some groups — involvement in politics just isn’t what they are about.
Just as I think your group’s choice to be involved with the political side is perfectly fine. I similarly think it’s perfectly fine for other groups to decide that’s not a fit for them. I do think there’s merit in the argument that: If our group is all about involvement and building community…. and if politics (by its very nature) often creates dissonance and conflict and hard feelings…. then for our group, politics isn’t a great fit.
Groups following that train of thought are still filled with passionate people (even quite politically active people) who care about all kids. They just choose to keep that piece out of their parent group work.
Tim