Actually, unless your bylaws are very specific, this is more a matter of policy - which is ideally documented but often starts out as "just the way everyone knows we do it". It's a good time to look at developing such policies as the problem becomes where to draw the line and how much is too much.
As far as bylaws go - wrong or right - it could be justified as an extension of Teacher Appreciation or "supporting the school" or community outreach. (But also be careful about boxing yourself into a tight corner. Saying you will "Never" do something can be difficult.)
Getting a copy of the bylaws for your organization is a good place to start. If nothing else, you'll want to formally have your purpose/mission to quote as you discuss your policy moving forward. Most groups discussing this in these forums tend to have a policy of NOT buying personal gifts for most such occasions. Some have a specific committee that decides when its appropriate and what to do. (Baby showers - probably not; a principal retiring - maybe). Sometimes these are called "Sunshine Committees".
Focus forward on your mission and what you want to achieve and set a policy that best supports this.
I just don't think it is a good idea. You have to feel good that the money is going toward the kids, not the adults. Separate collections may be taken for that exact gift but shouldn't come from money raised for the children.
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Check your by-laws. There should be a mission or a purpose statement. If the expenditures are nor furthing/matching this statement, the board is in violation of the by-laws. If this doesn't create a turn-around in the board's behavior, spread the word to the parents that this is how their money is being spent. With enough complaints and/or reduction in donations, those on the board who have been in favor of this massive gift-giving should capitulate.
IMO PTO money should not be used to buy baby and wedding shower gifts. Maybe a retirement gift or a small token of thanks to ALL the teachers would be ok but it sounds to me like the money isn't being used in the proper ways. As far as legal I'm not sure where it would fall, but I don't think it is ethical at all. Expecially if the largest part of your budget is going to this. This should be curbed down ALOT!
"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
This is my first year as treasurer and I am also a second year teacher. When going into the position as treasurer I have been left with no reciepts or information of previous year expenditures. I have found that our PTO has been using the money for personal gifts (i.e. purses and sweaters for birthday, bereavement, baby and wedding showers, and retirement) These gifts are given to "select" teachers and other staff and also the PTO members. When figuring it out I think that a large sum of our money is spent on gifts. There is only me and two other parents that really do anything and they are not happy with me for disagreeing and not voting to get these gifts. What do I do? Is this legal or ethical?
