shondaring;131797 wrote: I think the route I am going to take is that if the by-laws don't say that I can't do something then I am going to propose it. The worst that can happen is that the idea is turned down. Thanks for all the great advice.

As long as your ideas are consistent with the group's stated purpose, go for it -- if it is your pet project, be ready to do most of the legwork though. People are quick to support a good initiative with their vote, but a lot slower to commit their time.

I think the route I am going to take is that if the by-laws don't say that I can't do something then I am going to propose it. The worst that can happen is that the idea is turned down. Thanks for all the great advice.

I think you are looking in the wrong direction, well pto's may take stands very seldom do you see them head first in a policy changing issue etc. Most schools have shared decision making teams that are made up of staff, principal, parents, community members, etc. they will get together and discuss building issues and policies. They often will report to other groups such as the PTO on what they are doing, looking for input, but the shared decision team is the one going to the board.
PTO's do have serious sides but we need to look at all that our kids go through on a daily basis and that fun stuff helps them acheive...if your school doesn't have a site team or anything similiar to it I would ask your principal about it.

Hehe Its just me

One of my motto's that covers everything' If we're not having fun doing it, then why are we doing it??'

For me that covers everything I do, be it a mtg, an event; nothing in life should be unfun or boring in my opinion - even stuff that is very serious.

Kudo's to you for wanting to take on the more serious issues. As on the other post - baby steps is all it takes to get the ball rolling- if more and more parent talk, find llikeminds, anything can be changed, even making the PTO 'a force to be reckoned with' if that's what a majority want.

Good luck, dont be afraid to post more questions, if need be- a ton of great people here with the same experiences to help

Thanks for the information, maybe I am going the wrong route. I do think what our group is currently doing is great. Once again I would just like to see these issues considered, and am at a loss on who to go to.

Many schools seem to have added a Parent Teacher Advisory Committee which works under the school board. This is a great way for parents to get involved in the policy making process at their schools.

I personally don't think a PTO/A group should ever be "a force to be reckoned with". I believe that's counter to what I see as the role of a parent group. I'm not sure where your data is coming from but I don't think PTOs nationwide are political action groups. It sounds like your group is doing what many other parent groups do - providing the extras to enhance the learning environment. I've been involved with four PTO type groups and zero PTAs. None of those groups attempted to control school board policies.