Hi girlsmom -

Not sure exactly what you're thinking about doing.

In general "PTO" is a catch-all acronym for independent parent groups. While the acronym PTO is the most commonly used acronym for independents, your current PTC would also be considered a "PTO" for the sake of discussion. A simple name change wouoldn't present you any problems. There's likely some procedural paperwork with state and IRS to finalize the name change, if you want to make it.

I'm thinking that maybe you're referring to joining the National PTO Network. If so, you should know that National PTO Network affiliation is open to all groups, regardless of acronym. We have several PTAs that are affiliated with NPN and we have tons of groups like PTCs and PCCs and the like who are affiliated, as well.

The word "join" is sometimes a bit confusing. You're not really "joining" NPN so much as your choosing to take advantage of NPN benefits for one year. The best analogy is AAA (the auto club), where they call it "joining" but where you're really paying for a bunch of really nice services for one year. NPN is like that. There's the insurance discount, the expert guides, the member's-only web access, the quarterly NPN newsletter (difft than the magazine), the NPN grants program, the forms and tools, etc. -- all for just $179 per year.

There's no complicated process for getting in and certainly no complicated process for getting out. If your group likes the services you're getting, you stay (just like AAA). And if you don't, then you don't renew (and we try our tails off to get better).

More details here: www.ptotoday.com/npn

Hope this helps.

Tim

PTO is a pretty generic term.

What is the difference in what do now versus what you plan to do? Do you intend to change the name? Why? Will the structure of the organization change? The mission?

Tell us more about where you are and where you want to go. Then we can try to help you.

We are considering switching from PTC to PTO. We are already a 501c3 in our 5th year of probationary status. I'm doing a few things to research this:
1.) Calling IRS nonprofits to ensure that we don't effect our status as we head to our audit. (Their paperworks says as long as mission and activities are same then affiliation with other group is okay).
2.) Calling our school's insurance office to ensure that we are still covered if we don't buy PTO insurance.

My question is - has anyone done this kind of a switch (PTC to PTO)? And if so is there any advice?