I was not elected in, the old treasurer had more important things to do and nobody would take it over so I didn't think it would hurt to take it over. I had at least 6 people call me begging me to be the treasurer...now I see why they were begging.
The books have been handed over to someone who does the book audit, there's no way that they will come up right, and it worries me. I was not able to do anything by myself...the checking account was a two signature account, but there were FIVE names plus one person not on the account able to access the account, and three of those people were constantly making deposits, writing checks and taking invoices that needed to be paid, theres was no way in the world to keep up with everything, much less figure out how to catch them in the act.
As for talking to the principle...in my opinion she (elementary principle) is ashamed of this whole disorganized group to begin with, she doesn't put her name behind us at all. She publicly thanked the community for the teacher luncheon the PTO did for her school...with no mention at all about PTO. We are one PTO for 3 schools...Elementary, Middle and High...this last year out of the 3 schools...we had one principle join the PTO and 2 teachers. If I was to tell the principles what was going on, I could just imagine the negativity towards us then.
It may sound awful BUT...maybe the books will be wrong, and someone will do some sort of investigation and I will be able to finally tell someone who cares, what went on.
Thanks for all of your advice...it's given me alot to think about, I appreciate it.

I totally agree with the above poster. It's CYA (cover your a**) time. Document everything you can think of. Were you elected treasurer or just filling in for someone else? Sometime (probably soon) the books are going to be looked at and you need to make it clear what happened. The Principal is a good person to speak confidentially with. What a mess! If I were you, I would try to just help out in the classroom until this blows over.

If you were elected Treasurer you were responsible for the money. Check the bylaws and see what your responsibilities were. Then, go over the books and make note of the discrepancies and the circumstances surrounding them to the best of your knowledge. Take all your information and go to the principal. If you do not cover yourself, this whole thing could backfire and make YOU look like the thief so you need to make sure you're on top of the finances. When you get that all straightened out, then deal with the other stuff, but right now clearing the books is the most important issue! Good luck! :cool:

We are a fairly new PTO, 3 years & counting hopefully. But there are major issues going on that hopefully someone can give some insight on.
For starters...I was "kinda" the treasurer this last year. The two presidents (husband and wife team) I believed to be stealing money. They would not let me make deposits, and would come TAKE PTO money and deposit the wrong amount, after it had been counted...by me and other people. They continualy came and took the checkbook and would not keep up with reciepts. It became such a hassle that finally after they took the checkbook and all my records this last time, I just gave up, it's hard enough being the treasurer without other hands in the mix.
I tried to voice my concerns with the whole situation with other people but nobody wanted to hear it, and somehow it backfired on me. At one meeting I finally gave notice that I would only volunteer as long as it had nothing to do with money. I did NOT attend the last meeting because I felt it was just not something I wanted to be associated with.
I got many calls after the last meeting, apparently it was a slander session and it was decided that I wasn't there because I did not want to face things. I was called names, and they decided I would not be a part of the PTO at all. The presidents made it into a big "he said she said" ordeal...but I know in my heart of hearts they did take money. I feel like they used me as an easy target.
My feelings are hurt, and I'm upset that I was ousted from helping the children and our schools. How do you stop theiving board members tactfully? And how do you get the "cliques" out of the PTO? How do I help a bad situation? Is it better to just stay away? And when the truth finally comes about, ignore it? Or do I try to save my reputation by voicing out loud what I think was going on? Our PTO is in bad enough shape as it is...I'm scared that if this gets out into the community that it will ruin the whole thing. Any advice will be appreciated.