They stamped it and the bank honored it because we bank at the same bank. We are trying to not stir the pot to much regarding this issue because we need to work with them in order to do our best as a PTO for our children. We have put the PO Box option on the table, however some are worried it's a sign of aggression and could be starting something.
That is a good point about "hiding" the monies, I need to bring that up to the board for sure.
I would be very upset if the principal cashed (deposited?) checks made out to the PTO. Did she actually sign it? It borders on fraud, I think. I also think "hiding" the fundraising check is an impediment to your PTO's proper operation -- suppose you had needed those funds to pay for some program? I'd be tempted to get a PO box for the organization.
No, she can't force you to dissolve, but she can make things very difficult.
Our treasurer was upset that she's having questions, and I told her the same thing "we have nothing to hide to answer her questions". I think it's more of a respect issue here than anything.
Our principal has never opened our mail before (just started after she tried to get us to go internal) and I think because this happened after she tried to get us to "volunteer" to go internal we are a little on edge.
She has also taken a couple of checks that normally come to our PTO and is actually written to our PTO name and cashed them and did not tell us. She held a very large fundraising check that she opened "again" without telling our treasurer and kept in the safe. Our treasurer finally called the around and found out it was sent certified to the school and then had to question the school book keeper to finally get the answer to it's whereabouts.
I don't think it's a trust issue, especially because we have been 100% up front and we clear a lot with her that we don't always have to. We think she's trying to find a way to force us internal by looking for any mistake we may have made. Luckily our treasurer is very details and has an accounting background and owns multiple businesses so she knows what she's doing.
My biggest question is our rights on NOT going internal. If we vote as a board not to dissolve the PTO group she really can't force us to dissolve unless she makes it difficult for us to operate in her school. Correct? So far she's stopped pushing the issue as of now but is giving the impression that she wants to continue the discussion later and we are trying to be prepared. She talks as though the money belongs to her and she has full control and I don't believe this to be the case.
Personally -- as a treasurer myself -- I would think that anyone in the PTO could ask to see and review the bank statements; I don't have anything to hide, and I do have someone without signature authority do such a review. I'd be happy to do it once for someone ... after that, though, it might get to be a nuisance. Is that what it will take to get her to trust you? Is it worth the nuisance to avoid the nuisance of having to find a different place to meet, if she doesn't want you meeting in the school?
I think that you should tread a little softly until you get your 501c3.
I am coming in as the PTO president this year. We have our own account, insurance, by-laws and are currently working on getting our 501c3. Our Principal has recently started conversation about her wanting to "turn our PTO internal". Let me start by saying that as of now there is NO reason for for us to go internal based on a meeting we had with her except she says she "wants" it internal. She mentioned that she was getting heat from the district to move us internal however after a phone call we found out that this is no longer an issue and not on the table.
••She too has called district and they said they are not concerned with PTO being internal at this time. However she's still "deciding" if she wants us to be internal or not.
We had a meeting with her to discuss her concerns and let her know we voted as a board that at this time we will NOT to dissolve our PTO and move internal and gave her the reasons why. She told us we have no choice and that if SHE decides we are to move internal we have to? Is this the case?
Also, she recently opened our bank statement (that comes to the school-she's never done so before) and reviewed it and asked us to review it line per line. She is not an owner, signer or member of our account. Does she have the right to ask us to explain our purchases and expenses? All of our budgets and expenses were approved by her at the beginning of the year. Of course we have all the proof of purchases and documentation to back our statement up.
We are trying to work with her and we don't want to burn our bridge with her however, recently we feel she is being sneaky about things and disrespectful. We have been nothing but honest, open and we are doing our best as a board to help the school be it's very best.
Can anyone tell me what are our rights as a PTO regarding our funds as an organization.
