Makes no sense whatsoever. PTAs can get grants. The interpretation there is wrong.
Sometimes I feel like there's so many levels in PTA that it's one big "telephone game" with the messages that reach the end often nonsensical.
Before my cyber censors jump in, I'm not saying that this makes PTOs better -- PTO leaders can be confused, too. It just seems that this kind of unfounded "fear of the PTA police", especially where the fear is based on an inaccurate analysis of PTA regs is unique to the large organization that PTA is.
I received a call from a parent at a nearby elementary school. The currently have a PTA and have not been very successful in raising money. I don't mean that to sound like it's because it's a PTA, it's just a matter of the demographics of their area and several other factors.
Anyway, they are looking into starting an independent booster club or foundation in order to apply for grants from businesses and foundations. They were asking for advice on how to get started. I gave them some ideas and pointed them to this website. Here's my question - they have been told that they can't use their PTA to do this type of fundraising. Is there some PTA regulation that prohibits this? We have been applying for (and actually receiving some) grants using our PTO (we're a 501(c)(3)). Why can we do it and they can't? We're all in the same school district so it's not a district policy. Any ideas?
