Welcome to my world. Our Pastor is causing so many problems. At the beginning of the year he and the business manager spent $15,000 of our PTO money on new computers for the school. We set aside $5,000 a year for new computers and then when we get to $25,000 we update our lab. As a new President and with a new Treasurer we were spending hours going through financial reports trying to find the missing $15,000. When we finally got them to admit what they did, the Pastor stated that "PTO expenditures are at the discretion of the Pastor". We are furious.
WE are required to turn over any money that we hold over i.e. the computer money to a Parish account. We had them sign a document that they would return the funds to us when requested and they went and spent it. We are worried about this year as we are afraid he will take the $$$ because the parish is 4.5 million in debt and the Pastor wants a new house. Go Figure.
We have raised money for a new playground and now the Pastor acts like he knew nothing about it. When challenged he finally admitted he did. Now, he wants to build his new house where our playground is. If the Archdiocesan extends his contract at our Parish again there will be a huge letter wrtining campaign. We have lost our patience.
Sorry for the long discertation. Guess I needed to vent!
Love the crock pot appetizers, but this thread starter looks like she could use some serious help.
It sounds like you may have some resolution with the president acting as a mediator and it's not just a done deal. Try to have all your facts together before your meeting including past actions that prove that your group is made up of responsible adults that are fully capable of handling the funds that they raised.
I am the President of our schools PSA - our school is private/Catholic and associated with a Catholic Parish. I am in the first year of my second term and we have contributed enormously to our children's educational experience through cultural events; extras such as a kiln for the art dept and a new server for the tech dept; fulfilling teacher "wish lists" (items that aren't covered by curriculum needs); running school spirit day, etc. Before I came on board the previous Pres. handed over a check at the end of the school year to the Pastor who used it as he saw fit (one year putting in new curbs in the parking lots!) The current officers and members feel that we should not be paying for capital improvements - our school is large (over 600 students) and that those should come from the rather high tuition costs, etc. Now the Pastor is once again saying that the Diocese CFO is making all Parish money go into one pot and that our PSA will no longer be ALLOWED to have our own checking account. I am angry and frustrated because if this happens we will no longer have control over the funds we raise (over $25,000/yr). The school board Pres. has volunteered to be a lawyer mediator for us in a meeting with the PAstor.- we feel that the majority of the volunteers in our PSA will back off if this change occurs. I would probably have to step down in good conscience.
Sorry for the long post but I really need some help!
