I am the Dad in question and I was asked to serve as the VP of the PTO: so no you do not need to have children that attend the school. I also coach a team that my kids are not on. Would you like to know why? Then ask the question where are the parents with children in the school, where are the parents on sports teams? At our regular PTO meetings if we get 3 or 4 parents that’s a lot. I would like to see 20 to 30 parents at every meeting. But it does not happen! It would be nice for the parents to make education of the children a priority, have them take time out to help, and to sacrifice their time for the betterment of the whole, unfortunately it does not happen.
I see the issue as a lack of voluntarism from the parents’ of children that attend the school. There should be no reason why I should have been asked to be on the PTO. There should be plenty of parents with children who can serve. But it is the same story I ‘m to busy or I do this or I do that or my job won’t let me. The bottom line is if someone cares enough and wants to be part of the PTO or coach their kids then they make the time for it. I make time for it because children should have a PTO and should have coach. Now I know I am not the best coach but the kids have a team to play on. I know I do not have a child at the school but there is a still a PTO. That’s why I do it.
As a good part of the population in our small town are elderly and a number of them enjoy volunteering we specifally worded our bylaws so as not to exclude them. Although they don't usually come to meetings, we wanted them to beable to if they wanted to.
Our bylaws state:
Membership
Any parent,guardian,teacher,staff member or other person who wishes to support the education and well being of the children of the West Paris School.
Members shall have the right to attend and participate in all meetings and activities of the organization.
Members shall have the right to make and second motions, serve on committees, vote and are eligible to be elected to an office.
So our doors are wide open. Like I said though we're a small community(the school was built in 1895). I plan on volunteering there when I'm elderly. I'm a firm believer of "It takes a village to raise a child". I think that just by being adults we hold a responsiblity to the well being of all children, not just our own.
I think it's up to your group and how you word it in your bylaws.
Happy Volunteering!
Apparently the point is moot since the kids are coming back to the school, but I love sharing my pearls of wisdom! [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Our bylaws have regular members who MUST have a child enrolled at our school, and in order to be considered for the board they have to be a member in "good standing" for 60 days prior to the election, and "honorary members," who must either have a connection to the school through a current/graduated student or be a former member of the staff (i.e. a retired teacher). They can join in the fun and we certainly wouldn't turn any volunteers away, but they are not given voting rights nor may they serve on the board.
I agree with the majority of the respondents.
A PTO officer should be a parent.
Afterall, the "P" in PTO stands for parent!
You tend to ask what are their alternative motives if their own school age children do not attend the school that they are officers of the PTO on?!
I agree with the majority of the respondents.
A PTO officer should be a parent.
Afterall, the "P" in PTO stands for parent!
You tend to ask what are their alternative motives if their own school age children do not attend the school that they are officers of the PTO on?!
