Just a quick response to this. Being nonpartisan(as we need to remain as non profits)means that no party or candidate for public office is ever endorsed by us. We are not aligned with any political party to achieve our goals. PTA's act on issues, policies and principles (bills, school levies, bond issues, etc> ) This is from our PTA manual. further-Local units may act on any matter that affects schools or children, siimply by a majority vote of its members at a regular meeting. Discussion and factual information should always precede any vote.
Hope this helps a little. And yes we may support it finacially as decided by the membership.

To PLW: Our members will vote on the referendum as long as they are registered voters in town. I know as 501(c)(3) organizations we can't be political, but can we give money?, can we allow the PAC to speak at our meeting? Thanks

Our PTA is looking at yet another school levy to support our school system this next year. PTA's stand on this is that yes we may support a school levy with time and funds. Our council collects 2% of each units fundraising a year and it is placed in a levy fund. This fund is opened when a school levy is on the ballot. We may not support a political campaign. We may hold forums where all candidates are invited for an informational service to our members. Even though this will not effect your school will your members vote on the issue?

Our town is about to have a bond referendum to renovate our schools. A group of citizens has formed a Political Action Committee in support of this referendum. They have asked to come speak at our PTO meeting and plan to ask for a contribution to the PAC from the PTO. Our school is not one of the schools affected by the referendum. However, our by-laws are somewhat ambiguous about involvement with political activities. Our policies state that we will be "non-partisan" and "shall not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office; or devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation by propoganda or otherwise". Does anyone have any opinions on this issue or any examples where you have had to deal with a similar situation? I don't want to put our PTO in a bind by getting political. As a footnote, the Chairperson of the PAC is also my Co-President of our PTO. Thank you.