Four of us signed up to go and our Board decided that since we all had a vested future in the PTO (we all have young children still to attend school) that we could go 50/50 on the conference tickets. We chose to stay even though we could have commuted so that part was on us.
Paid for myself last year. Group is paying for four of us to go this year. I brought back so many ideas last year that the group voted right after that to budget for four people this year. I'm really looking forward to it.
I paid my own way both years (Mass.). I think our group probably would have paid, but I decided not to ask. With the meal and the refrshments and all the sessions I thought it was a really good deal. Mary.
Our PTO paid for the conference last year but we had to pay for our hotel room (because we lived only 2 hrs. from the hotel)and our food. I have to say the experience was well worth it. Last year only 2 of us went but this year 4 of us are going. We are staying overnight for 2 nights because it is like a girls night away and I'm really looking foward to it.I'm VERY happy that Tim decided to make it a two day thing. Thanks Tim!!
I attended the one in Massachusetts two years ago from Texas. Although officer training is absolutely a legitimate PTO expense, I was reluctant to ask my group as it had never been done before at our school. So, I was fully prepared to pay all the expenses myself.
Another Board member insisted it be raised as a request for the PTO to pay part of the expenses, especially since we had a phenomenal fundraiser that year and plenty of funds. It worked out that they covered the plane ticket, and I paid the conference fee, hotel, rental car and other travel expenses as well as using two days of leave from work.
Note: as a delegate representing your group, the expenses paid by you can be claimed on you federal tax return.
I think the information we received definitely was worth the investment.
