I don't believe an investigation would be at harm. Maybe not naming any certain person, but that is alot of money to just dismiss. What does that tell future members? Its okay to just say money is lost????
**One positive thing - surviving a theft like this will fast track you towards formalizing your processes. Suddenly everyone is on board with the idea.**
Exactly. If you do nothing else regarding this situation, push through checks and balances to govern the next fundraiswer that, if not followed, will result in immediate dismissal from the board. Then, push through a vote to remove this particular task from that particular board position's umbrella of responsibility. Suggest it under the guise of "checks and balances" and out of concern for "protecting her reputation in the community" and "preserving trust with the parent group" in the event that totals not balance with receipts.
Mom21 - it doesn't sound to me like your group has proof that will stand up in court. Since she did leave without the money being counted, no one can know with absolute certainty how much was there. If the backup is correct and that much cash is truly missing, then the argument will be made that the funds were taken during the event and that multiple people could be responsible.
This was actually the situation when I started with my first PTO. No formal policies or cash controls. Everyone was simply trusted. No double checks. And then suddenly money is missing. Lots of finger pointing. Investigation that indicated this was actually a pattern, not the first attempt. And the person at the center of it acting as if nothing was wrong. There was no proof; nothing we could do except ask that person to step down and implement REAL controls from that moment forward.
One positive thing - surviving a theft like this will fast track you towards formalizing your processes. Suddenly everyone is on board with the idea.
My sense from the original post is that the preliminary research has been done and the money missing is indeed a fact. Of course you would never just call willy nilly to involve the authorities. If the preliminary work hasn't been done, then that is of course that is the first step. You must be absolutely clear that embezzlement has taken place. Unfortunately it isn't the first time we've heard on these boards that a theft has occured at a PTO and it won't be the last. There are moms, more than one, that have embezzeled money. Last year there was a case of 50,000 dollars stolen over a 5 year period by a PTO (or PTA president--I cannot recall) in Fairfax, Virginia.
Mom21--if you haven't done the work to back up your concerns, then that is absolutely the first thing you need to do. This might be much ado about nothing after you get your arms around it.
Excuse me while I relight my torch and head to the castle.
I'm a little shocked by the "call the police" comments. I think gjcoram is more on track here asking whether the original number was correct. Why would you jump to the conclusion that she took the money and not to the first conculsion that perhaps the count was wrong and she is indeed innocent. Wow, this type of attitude scares me as a parent and I would certainly not jump on the PTO bandwagon after reading this. Are you serious? Call the police on a mother who volunteers her time? Maybe I'm just being naive in thinking that you could be sending a mother thru the legal system without knowing the facts.
How strong is your evidence for the $17k? Are all the people who came up with the numbers that went into it ready to sign, under penalty of perjury, that they are correct?
I'm surprised that the principal and superintendent are backing her so strongly. Have you met with them privately? They may tell you things in person where there's no record. If you bring them signed statements from the counters and point out that the caterer knows there is a problem and won't be satisfied with a cover-up so this will jeopardize the $17k for next year, I'd think they'd change their tune. If you have good evidence that this person "misplaced" the money, I'd think they wouldn't want her in a position of authority.
On the other hand, could it be that someone else stole the money, and the treasurer "just" made the mistake of violating protocol by taking an uncounted amount of cash?
I like dlf's comment that you can't "vote" to allow a crime.
