I agree with SHC but you should also consider that most groups have a budget planning meeting for their board and a budget approval meeting for the general public, in the least. If there is ever any doubt about how money is raised, budgeted, or spent, these events are the best time to ask. Even parents who aren't involved, know to come to the first meeting of the year with their problems, questions, or concerns. If you are asking for a breakdown of what most groups spend their money on, I believe you can use the search tool at the top of this screen to find a discussion from a few months back regarding budget breakdowns to compare to your group. You would be surprised how varied the responses were.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
I am wondering what types of things other PTOs spend their money? We have a lot of controversy in our organization as to why we raise money and the appropriate use of what we raise.
That's a million dollar question! I'm sure others will chime in here...I think it mostly has to do with what your by-laws say and what your "purpose" is. Is it to promote community in your school with free family events? Is it to strictly raise money for your school? Our PTO seems to be a mixture of the two but with lots of emphasis on fundraising and support of the school. We spent almost $100,000 last year on needs of our school and it hit a wide variety of things--from giving each of our teachers $200 on classroom needs to buying new chairs for an entire grade, new computers, refurbishing the library, a new school sign, etc. When we had money to "spend" last year, we asked the faculty for input. These suggestions were screened by the principal and then presented to us without any controversy.
I am wondering what types of things other PTOs spend their money? We have a lot of controversy in our organization as to why we raise money and the appropriate use of what we raise.
