I was reading along and i agree with Suzie on this one also--Yes it is a tragedy--but one must remember that the IRS makes the rule on 501c3 organizations. One person said that they would rather be known as the president who donated and then had to resign..That may not be the case if the IRS nails an organization for improper use of funds according to their definations they could revoke your 501c3 status and your tax exempt status for your organization. If you are a PTA without a tax exempt status you most likely (at least in NY you will be) a PTA that is not in good standing. that means you cannot attend conventions, workshops, and you loose your insurance coverages. Plus your organization now must pay tax on everything that means GROSS through your accounts plus on all purchases. As a PTO if you lose your 501c3 and tax exempt statius same thing applies you will have to pay taxes on all gross amounts deposited into your accts and on all purchases. noe officers of the organization can also be brought up on charges of mismanagement of the organization and its funds. Yes it is a very delicate situation, but you have to remember that the funds being raised for this 501c3 organization are being raised with the unnderstanding that they will be used in accordance to how the IRS has allowed.

Our PTO has a "sunshine" fund that is included in our anuuual budget. The primary purpose of this fund is to provide a little "sunshine" to students and or staff who are hospitalized or have gone through some extraordinary events. We usually send balloons or flowers--in your case we would find some way to help the family out. We are a small school (less than 300 students). We would probably organize parents to send food and drinks to the family after the funeral or at the funeral home and we would organize a fundraiser in the name of the family. I think that any time a large sum of money is raised and not used for the school or students the parents should be informed ahead of time.

Thanks for all the wonderful responses. What do you guys think of the suggestion of an all school dance if it is not labeled as a "PTO/PTA Dance", but simply a dance with the admittance being donated to his family? I have the understanding that we, as parents, can volunteer to work the dance as simply volunteers. I'm open to ANY suggestions that will help us, as concerned parents or otherwise, to help his mom. A dance would be a great help, and probably raise even more money than the board would approve to donate if we could have.
I know rules are rules and there for a purpose, but as a person, this kind of leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Losing a child must be so difficult for a parent, and then to think that the clubs they have supported for so many years, cannot help. So sad.
If that is the case, how are groups able to offer scholarships to an individual? Just curious because I guess I'm more of a parent than a "Robert's Rules" person....no offense meant to anybody however. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I purposely left out the amount that was raised through the school parents(pta members and non-members) as I wanted to see reactions. Instead of the PTA cutting a check for $50 or even $100, our wonderful school community contributed over $1800, and tonight our PTA is pairing with the local Elks club to do a spaghetti dinner with the proceeds going to the boys family. Most of the ingredients were donated and we are using the Elks hall, with pta members and elks members cooking and serving.
I truly believe that the community effort brought forth by our two groups means much more and will last longer in the hearts and minds of this family than simply cutting a check of money that doesn't even belong to us. They will see how much love and support they received from their community and maybe be assured that they live in a great town.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> This discussion should also be added to the differences between PTA's and PTO's...metzymom <hr></blockquote>
That community spirit may very weell be the difference between our PTA and your PTO. I hope not.

As stated in my first post, I believe you walk on dangerous ground when you start handing out $ like you are the salvation army. Our little "slave laborers" (your words-not mine) deserve more than someone simply signing a check over when something goes bad.

Again, my very humble opinion.

Suzi

In our by-laws our board can approve up to $200.00 if the board agrees and has the principal's okay in an emergency situation. If this tragedy were to happen in our school I would most definetly donate to help this family and would deal with the repercussions later. In situations were you are dealing with the death of a child your standard rules in my opinion do not apply...we are not talking about a surgery or fire here...even though our PTO has donated to two families who had no insurance and lost everything to fire. Our group for the most part does not donate on a regular basis to individuals, but sometimes it is the only RIGHT thing to do. Yes, many would not be willing to donate their personal money for the cause but when you have fundraised to make the money it is kinda your money. I would rather be known as the President who gave $200.00 to a greiving family and resign than to be the President who stood behind written or unwritten rules and did nothing. It is a shame that people don't consider the students at their school as family...Our pto considers every student and their families as part of our "Pardee Family". We have been so blessed with a wonderful, generous, group that we are able to help our families who are in need and it makes us a compassionate organization that teaches our children how to give with a free heart.

We call upon our children to sell whatever merchandise we choose to use to raise funds, but no one ever thinks of this as slave labor. These children go sell the stuff to the parents and the parents sell the stuff at work or where ever. Funny that the same families who sell the stuff would be splitting hairs on who gets a share, when what is important here is the loss of a loved one, and especially a child. Most of this probably makes no sense to anyone else, but it makes me angry to think that we can run canned food drives for the local food banks that add up to hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars worth of non-perishables but we can't donate $100 to a funeral? This discussion should also be added to the differences between PTA's and PTO's. I say have Student Council donate the money and then reimburse them. How is that for creative financing? :eek: