Our bylaws state that you must be a member of the PTO for at least one year to serve on the board. Bylaws do no state (to my knowledge) who may be a member. We do have business owners as PTO member who do not have children in our school. However, we have not had true organization or people who stuck to the bylaws for some time. Our current board invites anyone to participate. If it were me, I would get parents to jump up & request the changes. It also depends on your demographics. I know it stinks but ther may be reasons non parent/guardians not be allowed to serve on the board.
I know this was quite vague. I hope you can get the results you want!
I posted my reply to your second post but now I see that this is in your bylaws. Perhaps you can discuss this at a meeting and ask that it be ammended to include "anyone with a concerned interest in a child at the school"
I think a lot Parent-Teacher Organizations have this in their bylaws. This an issue for us too with grandparents, unfortunately our bylaws are not very specific when it comes to that.
Even though it is not encouraged for anyone other than parents or guardians and staff members to vote or bring up business at our meetings. We do involve community members in our Volunteer Program which happens to be sponsored by the PTO. We also encourage friends and family members to come and have lunch with the children.
I am an aunt and am involved heavily in my nephews school with volunteering and in his class also. At the end of last year the school PTO held elections and i was told that i could not hold an elected position because i didnt have a child at the school. The rule was in the by-laws of the PTO that you had to have a child enrolled at the school to hold an elected position. Have any of you ever experienced a problem like this? Thanks in advance for any answers / suggestions.
