The best "one step" I can recommend is becoming a member of the National PTO Network (NPN). The resource guide is excellent, and takes you through what needs to be done step by step.
I'm a big proponent of separately incorporating first; you can call your state corporations commission (each state calls it something different--sometimes it's even the attorney general's office) and start there with figuring out what you need to do in the meantime. And check out the other posts in this thread--there's a lot of good information in there.
Hi all. We have been an organized Parent/Teacher Group for many years (I have been involved for seven and this is my first year as President). Don't groan when you read this BUT...we "operate" under the school's tax number and have no insurance. Unbeknownst to us, the small print on our Building Use Permit (to use the school facilities) waives school liability so we are basically on our own. To be honest this has never come up - in reading a recent PTO Today Magazine (which I LOVE!) I discovered the topic and started to wonder (and worry!). Fact: we have no tax number/non-profit identification for our PTO and we would LIKE to. Fact: we have no insurance. Fact: we use the school's tax number for our bank account even though they too have a "slush" fund under that same number.
What we WANT is to start over. Brand new with all the right steps. But we're not sure exactly what they are and how we start this process. I know this is probably pretty basic and elementary (pardon the pun) to all of you seasoned P/T Groups and I am not too proud to throw myself out there as the NKTB (New kid on the block...).
Can anyone help? Maybe give me step ONE (just one?)and I can figure out the rest. Maybe point me in the direction of some achived articles addressing this issue? Is such a thing even possible - starting over, that is?
I hate to sound so pathetic but I eagerly await any advice, suggestions, ideas.....so we can get this thing turned around. I'll check back in a few minutes. Kidding. Thank you in advance for showing pity on the new-bee.
