Most of our whole district went PTO in one year. Why? The main reasons were two-fold. 1) They wanted all the funds to stay within the school and 2) they didn't know what being PTA meant or "What has PTA done for me?". I didn't realize this until I became PTA president (yes the last PTA school in the county). Before this time, 4 officers did everything. I was VP for 2 years and that meant I was in charge of all fund-raisers...t-shirt sales, Market Day, boxtops, Campbells labels, Target, besides the fall fund-raiser and spring fund-raiser (Our county only allows 2 per school year). This was totally overwhelming but as that was what was done before..well, I didn't know any better.
When pressure began building at our school to make the change to PTO, I decided to be fair and contact the PTA first to let them know what was happening. We had a meeting and realized there was a time element to actually leaving the PTA. So we put off the vote until the time factor was had. In the meantime, I became president and read from the president's notes from PTA's of the past some things that I was totally surprised at. Like "Reflections", I had never heard of this before? Why after all of these many changes in Presidents did no one tell us or offer this wonderful arts program? That summer I did something that no other president at our school has done...I went to the state PTA convention. IT WAS WONDERFUL!! Gobs of advice, ideas...constant support and most importantly e-mail addresses of PTA "dinosaurs" who knew everything about fund-raisers etc.. I came back from that convention so refreshed and so glad that we were still PTA. I received the free officer training due us from the state; created binders for each officer, and for the first time creative committee chairpeople.
We now have 6 officer positions, and 14 committee chairpeople to head up multiple jobs. We also "borrowed" gobs of ideas from that convention (or the outstanding elementary PTA) and for the first time in 7 years have brought back the school carnival. Volunteering is up! School Spirit is Up! and I am learning more and more fresh ideas from the national PTA e-mail chat daily. Learning more about what PTA stands for has been a blessing. Our dues are only $2.50. What I and this school has gained from the PTA is well worth that cost.
My vote will be always PTA.
P.S. And we just sent this schools first Reflection winners to that State!
Barbara:
My school changed from PTA to PTO this year. It was not an easy process but one the entire board feels was in our best interest. The PTA is a worthwhile organization but we feel it is basically a lobbing group for Washington, D.C. The funds we raise are needed in our school, not sent to State and National PTA for their dues etc.
We have had little problems along the way and NOT EVERY ONE was thrilled with the change but 1/2 way through the year things are settling down. I hope all goes well with your school and the decision it makes.
Barbara:
My school changed from PTA to PTO this year. It was not an easy process but one the entire board feels was in our best interest. The PTA is a worthwhile organization but we feel it is basically a lobbing group for Washington, D.C.
Unused funds have to be tured over to the state PTA. If the money is used to make purchases for the school or other appropriate purposes, then there is nothing to turn over.
The one thing that shouldn't be done is divide the money among the members or among the officers. A PTA that closes down still is obliged to spend the money for children. If the group can't find a way to do that, the state PTA will find a way do it for them. The money stays with the children of the community.
It's not some sort of money grab, it's using the money for the intended purpose.
I am presently a PTA President in TN, but I am very interested in getting information on PTOs. I'm not sure that I'm ready to lead the charge to change from PTA to PTO, but there are several things our PTA Board members do not like within the PTA organization.
I think that if you decide to dissolve your local PTA unit, you are required to turn over ALL of your assets ($) to National PTA. Check your State and local PTA by-laws to be sure.
I guess you might just plan one last major project to finish out the year, and there won't be any funds to worry about!!
Jane in TN
