I would have to agree with Critter on this, our district would have the say on this not our group. And from past events I doubt our district would say yes??

We are planning to sell ads on a special sponsors page on our web site, and we do ask for sponsors for certain events, but we wouldn't publish an information packet about local business. That would be the job of the Chamber of Commerce. I can understand taking the CoC pamphlet and including it in an "info package" for families moving into the school.

I would be leery of conflicts of interest (or the appearance of a C-O-I)

You probably don't even have jurisdiction over this idea. In our district, that would be considered advertising and it is controlled by the administration. With budgets getting squeezed tighter and tighter, our school sells advertising space in our weekly newsletter, and we sell sponsorship space in our annual school directory. I would refer the mom to the principal (but talk to the principal first so you know the answer).

Even if there's no school prohibition against it, I (as PTO Prez) wouldn't do it. Now, there are other ways to promote local businesses such as holding a community business fair, or accepting corporate sponsorships for your events, perhaps. Or even making the packet available at Open House or conferences for parents to pick up on their own (no cost to the PTO). But I think you're headed down a slipperly slope if the PTO appears to give favors to a specific parent's business. (That's not to say it's improper to engage in a formal contractual relationship with a parent's biz. That might be fine, depending on the circumstances).

I'm wondering if anyone has ever encountered a problem like this. Our chairperson is also a local business owner and would like the PTO to produce an "informational packet" about the business she is in. It would include her business as well as other similar businesses in the area. The said packet would be distributed via the children's backpacks. I see this as a conflict of interest. Anyone have any experience with this sort of issue?