Just one more reason why I am against being a PTA.
I agree with Tim though. I would love to find out who the insurance company wrote the check out to, and if it is your group and not the PTA organization, I would start wondering about the legality of everything.
In California there are typically county and regional and there is a state organization.
Honestly, I think your letters will be pinned to bulletin boards with a "look at what we did to this PTO" glee. But it certainly can't hurt to try.
Maybe say: "I know it pains you to consider writing a refund check to a PTO. So here's the name and address of an enrichment service that we can't afford to provide our kids this year because of this loss. Please feel free to cut the check directly to this provider so that the children of our school can benefit from this program as they deserve to."
Actually, this is why you are required to balance your statement every month. You have only so many days to dispute something and then it's your own loss. I was not involved in the PTA at all. In fact, I specifically refused to join the PTA because of it's association with certain groups (political). I did other things to help the school however. Once they said we're thinking of starting a PTO I was on board and am a co-treasurer and balance OUR statement on a regular basis.
I'm going to get as much information as possible, ie. dates, etc... and would like to send a letter of complaint. I just don't know where to send it. We're in California. I don't know how this works. Are there county groups? Should I send it to the State?
I don't think we can force them to give the money back. Once they have their tight fists around a dollar I doubt they would part with it. I just want them to know this is the exact behavior that we are trying to avoid having to deal with.
1. Get your money. Get that check -- I'd demand it the day they get the check the principal sent.
2. Don't know what state you are in, but in most states the insurance is a relationship between you and your insurance agent. Check on that. I wonder who that check from the insurance company was made out to. There are states where the state PTA secures the insurance for all units, but that is not common. If they cashed a check made out to your group and then held it away from helping the kids at your school, things are even more clear.
At the end of the day (provided you get your $3000), we're talking about $450 that they bullied you for. It's complete BS and I share your contempt (and incredulity) at this all too common style, but I don't think it's a matter for a Congressman and I'm not sure the local papers are going to see it as a big story.
I do hope you memorialize it in your standing records so that -- 3 years from now -- when the PTA reps come to your new officers with promises of wine and roses and all things good for children... they'll remember the political/bureaucratic BS exemplified here.
If she wasn't a signor on the account, can't you discuss with your bank why they allowed the checks to go through? May be a little late at this point, though.
Kathryn--man that sounds terrible and I agree you sound like you were taken advantage of. I'd take the steps of formally notifying the PTA chapter in writing, the next higher chapter and the national chapter as well. Send the letter certified mail and note in the letter that you plan on contacting your local newspapers as well as the media in the largest city near you. Play up the title one aspect and the fact that you were taken advantage of. Make sure in your complaint to the PTA that you outline dates, times and nature of your phone calls, to whom you spoke and the information relayed.
Now--I'm not a PTA person and perhaps others have more insight as to a less dramatic approach but we're talking about the children's money here. I'm sure others will post, but my final step would be writing and notifying my congressman with all the addresses and signatuares of his constituents that are affected.
See if that moves the issue forward.
