Good question. It can be awkward when a PTO leader wins a prize or the PTO president's child is the top fundraiser, for example. I did a little mini-poll of a handful of experienced PTO leaders to get their thoughts on your question. They all agreed that it's OK for board members to participate, as long as the auction is done out in the open and you have a neutral party pulling the names (in public). You certainly don't want the president pulling her own name out of the hat. Bottom line, if everything's transparent to the public and everybody has the same shot at winning (equal to the number of tickets they buy), all of the leaders I asked say you're on safe ground. One long-time PTO president (of three different PTOs) who I really respect pointed out that board members put in long hours to make PTO events and programs successful, and for that reason they should not be prevented from potential rewards. If others don't like it, she says, "let them plan the next tricky tray!"
- Craig
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