at our school, thats what happens, plygrd PTO purchases are gifted to the district, they must go thru district approval, become property (and liability) of district.
quote:
under the National PTA which states that we should only be using our money to purchase programs and host free events for the children and their families. We should not be using any of our money to purchase tangible items.
Not sure of that "rule" but I do know a few recomendations from our state PTA:
1. They do not want districts to balance the budget on the backs of PTA..."we can save that money and make the PTA(or PTO) pay"
2. It has happened when something breaks down, they can revert back to "it belongs to the PTA, let them fix it".
3. Many, Many PTAs have built playgrounds, and made other tangible additions to their schools.
No PTA Police came to scold them!
Whatever you do, make sure you dot the "i's" and cross the "t's"...if you build a playground, make sure you are insured. If you purchase equipment make sure that service and repair issues are addressed beforehand.
Good dialog. It's good to hear of your different experiences. We've been a PTA over the years, and have had high membership with good leadership and, other years, low turnout with poor leadership. With students (and families) entering and leaving the school each year, I guess that's bound to happen. Our concern right now is that we are under the National PTA which states that we should only be using our money to purchase programs and host free events for the children and their families. We should not be using any of our money to purchase tangible items. We do provide many programs for the children, but we also purchase many needed items for the school. This is what we want to do; and with a PTO, we can state that this is allowable in our bylaws. Some people in my school see nothing wrong with breaking this PTA rule and want to remain a PTA. I disagree and feel we will have much more opportunity and freedom to improve the classroom setting if we are a PTO. (And not to mention, a portion of our dues will not go toward lobbying for certain things in Washington, which a member may or may not agree with...but that's another story!) We have the full backing of our Superintendent and administration. We are a small school and she believes a PTO will fit right into our school environment. She fully understands that if there is any discrepancy or disagreement in the PTO, the school has the responsibility and the vested interest to take action. My original question was asked to confirm what I believed...that the PTO will be accountable to the bylaws, the membership and ultimately, the school. I just have to convince the doubters... Thanks!
".. a group is only as good as it's weekest link.
....if the problems are within the organization itself, the one letter won't solve the issues."
leaders' ethics and morals and personal code of conduct would not change one wit no matter what the group were called (they may just be afraid to act silly IF there were accountabilities in place).
one cannot make people change, and if the parent body is happy with mediocre leadership, then thats what theyll get. sad for the kids who get shortchanged in all of this sad state of affairs, of a pto with a 1% turnout rate to meetings.
I just try to keep my group on the straight and narrow so you don't see our members on here saying "Help! We used to be such a great group but the idiot leading it has run it into the ground!!!"
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
