They are a part of the PTO. All money raised is deposited into the PTO bank account. Some of the money they spend comes from general PTO fundraising activities. All of the expenses are drawn on the PTO checking account. They don't have a charter or a set of by-laws. I agree with your assessment that the money is the PTO's by default. However, this group of parents is persistant and won't go away. We need a diplomatic resolution. Last month's no vote created some hard feelings and I don't want to continue that. Thanks.

Mr. Gryhwk,
I'm not to clear as to this 6th grade committee's connection to your PTO. Are they a part of your organization? If so, then the money they raise is the PTO's by default. If not, then you shouldn't be handling their money without some kind of Memorandum of Agreement between their committee Chairperson and your Executive Board. To pass their money thru your accounts is money laundering; NOT good! It sounds like the 6th Grade Booster Committee is its own entity. If so, they have to organize as such. If not, then the money they raised belongs in the PTO's coffers and the past vote should be final. You need to review the Purpose of your organization (in your bylaws) to see if the support you give can be for another school your just your own.
Good luck and if you have any other questions, email me; its quicker.
Jon

This question requires some background info., so bear with me. We are a grade 1-6 grammar school. Each year the sixth grade parents have a committee that does its own fundraising and runs its own activities for their children that are in the 6th grade. (year book, field trip, picnic, etc.) The money is run through the PTO accounts and records are kept by the PTO treasurer. In the past any excess money raised has been returned to the school in the form of a gift, i.e. park bench, T.V. for the media center, playground equipment, etc.) Last year’s group raised too much money from their parents and donated another park bench to the school. After this they still had over $600 remaining and wanted the money to go to the town middle school as a donation. These 6th grade committee members felt it was their sole discretion to dictate this. Other members of the PTO disagreed. So a vote was taken and it failed. Now this same committee wants to come back to our next PTO meeting (one parent is still a member) and ask for the money again be donated to the middle school and if it is defeated they would like each parent of last year’s class refunded an equal portion of the excess money. My belief that since a vote was taken and failed, to hold a new vote on the same issue someone from the prevailing side must make a motion to reconsider the issue. Our by-laws don’t (technically) prevent us from making a contribution to the middle school, but I believe it is a bad precedent and so do the others who voted against the motion. And I know refunding parents donated money is definitely a bad precedent. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Our next meeting is April 9, 2003. Thank you.