knowing your rights and enforcing them are two whole different worlds.

every pareent should know their rights, whether they choose to enforce them or not. its our duty as parents to get and remain informed.

nothing wrong with staying educated, either, keeps us young, doesnt it, the parents, theres always something new to learn!

In the meantime, if your board is really as "great" as you say they are, be prepaired for a small battle to see thos by-laws. Your best bet maybe to speak with former board members (if you have been at your school long enough you may know who they are otherwise other parents may know). At our school, there seems to be a staff member or teacher that has been there forever adn is a wealth of information!

My best advise though, do look up and learn about your rights but don't, please don't flaunt your information. Be wise and aware of their actions but no one likes the know-it-all that walks it and demands things becasue it is their right.

Quoting Harry Potter now (the kids are watching it ) "keep your friends close."

in the search engine if you enter

Sunshine Law (plus your state)
Open Meeting, or
Freedom of Information Act

you will find more links than you want on the topic of the publics right to access certain documentation.

misinformed - Your PTO is beholden to all of it's members and the greater community it serves. They are a service group. Any member's request to see meeting minutes, treasurer's reports or bylaws should be honored.

If you find your PTO uncooperative, don't give up...

Check your states Open Meeting laws to see if your PTO is exempt or not. For example, I'm in Illinois. Our group is required to follow Open Meeting laws. Anyone can attend our meetings and ask to see copies of the meeting minutes. Our by-laws are attached to any minutes from meetings in which they're reviewed, therefore making them available for public viewing.

OH MY!!if you are a member, you definately have the rights to a copy of the bylaws!

i would suggest that you get a copy of the bylaws first, then go from there. all the questions you're asking should refer to your bylaws.

I have been watching my local PTO for the past two years. Noting is put up for a membership vote, the board makes all the decisions and spends money on what ever they want. They even sent out letters requesting donations from companies for a specific item - then turned around and purchased something other than the item they told the companies they were raising the money for. Do non-board members have a right to have a copy of the bylaws? They have also changed bylaws without the input of the people, extending positions that were up. Please advise me of the rights non-board members have. The teachers are completely blind to the happenings of the Board. They have spent over $10,000. this year alone.