You might be thinking about one of my postings regarding a flyer/poster we use that details the role of the PTO. We've shared it with a lot of other schools and had very good feedback. We use it to set expectations at the beginning of the year and clarify roles.
It starts with our objectives and then has two columns "The PTO DOES" and "The PTO does NOT", for instance the first one is:
(does) support the educational programs and extracurricular activities of the school
(does not) run the school
There are about 11 of these paired bullets. We use this document at the beginning of the year so all the officers, reps, committee chairs understand. We publish it in the newsletter, as a handout, and as a poster.
I'll email you a copy.
P.S. If anyone wants a copy, please email me directly. That lets us leave this space for information sharing rather than one-on-one requests. Also, I access this Forum from several different computers and only have that document stored at home.
PTO is individualistic and does not have a governing body either state or national that tells us what we can or cannot do. That being said, there could (and probably are) rules that you must follow. The first place I would personally start is to contact the school district offices and ask them if there are any guidelines that you must follow. These could be for liability insurance, fundraising, use of district building and/or equipment, etc. Next, find out if your group has obtained status through the IRS as a not-for-profit organization. If so, great. If not, you, your board and your membership need to determine if this is something that would be a benefit to you - whether it is in seeking donations from businesses that wish to have the tax benefits of making such contributions or whatever. There is a one-time cost associated with this, you just need to weigh that cost against the benefits of having it. Contact your state revenue department to obtain a tax i.d. number if you don't already have one. You know - as I write this I am thinking that I'm taking Tim's (Publisher) thunder and perhaps if we just wait a couple of weeks, in his words August 1 at the latest, watch the navigation bar to your left for update - the National PTO Network will give you all this information and so much more. Often times when I've recommended (or NOT, as the case may be) certain vendors who advertise on this site I will say - I do not work for PTOToday nor do I receive any funding from them - just a PSA that if we are patient we'll get so much info from him we won't know what to do with it all. If you don't have the luxury of waiting, feel free to email me and if I can help I will.
HI there.
I'm new to this discussion board and found your question very interesting. Did anyone every reply to you personally with this information? I would love to see that list as well.
K.
I read a message on the board a few months back that gave a quick rundown of what the PTO can and can't do. I can't find the message anywhere. Can the person who posted the message reposte it please. With your blessing I would love to include it in our Parent Information Kit.
