Thought I'd add a link to this discussion (if you're interested). The Connecticut state PTA's most recent bulletin (Jan, 2003) has a long article which -- although it doesn't say so -- is based directly on our PTO v PTA feature story.

Here's a link to the bulletin (you can only link to the first page of the bulletin -- it's in pdf format). The article is on page 11 of the bulletin: www.ctpta.org/bulletin/Jan-2003.pdf

Interesting reading. I'd argue a few points, but....

Tim

Being an international school, the debate of PTO vs PTA doesn't apply to us as far as picking one or the other. BUT, our organization works for the good of the children, provides changes in the school to the enrichment of their education, networks with other PTO's via forums such as PTOtoday for help and ideas, performs acts of service to the community we live in, etc...how can anyone believe that one organization (PTO or PTA) is better than the other. One is political one is not, one is structured nationally one is structured locally, and so on. They are different yet both are wonderful groups who are working towards a common goal...the children.

Thank you Tim and all the other posters (both PTO and PTA) who provide such a wonderful service for many of us who are limited by our locations.
:cool:

Well, I have just read until my eyes were blurry, and I must say that i am proud to be the PTO Pres for our school. My sister, who lives down south form me, is the PTA pres in her sons school and has been tring to get me invovled with the PTA. She had stated; " why reinvent the wheel?" Well i say that we are not reinventing the wheel, we are just using a different brand.
I think that the PTO and the PTA memebers need to stop bickering and get back to what we all want, our children to have the best education and to be safe.
Our school has been thinking about becoming a PTA but I am convinced now more than ever, that we should just stay a PTO and join the NPN.

Thanks.

To PTOsec.

What a wonderful statement about PTO's! You are most certainly right when you say PTO can be an (advocate) for children as well as a PTA. I am currently a PTA President but have been a PTO Pres. in the past. Both are working for the schools and the children. Both should not be working for the politicians. It is my hope that with everything said and done we will become a PTO in the future. I say this because I feel we do not get the needed help that we need at our remote location. Of course the dues are always a sore spot with people, especially when you have a town of people who do not make tons of money.

Anyway, thank you for sharing what you did.

[img]smile.gif[/img]

Well, after spending the better part of my day reading a great debate I decided that there is many misconscrewed thoughts about a PTO.
A PTO can become a not-for-profit and can become eligible for tax-exempt status, you only need someone to volunteer their time and expertese to handle the filings.
A PTO can cloth children, offer scholoships, feed the hungry, help the sick, enrich childrens lives, protect their rights or any other thing it puts it's mind and membership to.
A PTO is run by Roberts Rules of Order, has it's own set of bylaws, and does have all books audited either by a panel selected by the membership or by a CPA.
A PTO member can support or choose not to support childrens welfare issues at the governmental level simply by registering to vote, writing to their local, regional, state and national elected servants. The cost of this is a postage stamp.
A PTO does not pay dues to a "parent source" to support a specific canadate that is running for office because their main concern is the children.
A PTO doesn't care who you are, if you want to help we'll gladly accept it, if you don't know what you can do we can show you.

These are just a few of the things a PTO can and does do, and a few of the things we don't. If anyone would like a helping hand just ask we have many. I recall a phrase, "It takes a village..." but I do not recall it takes a PTA.

With that said, Power to the Children for they will rule the world, and power to the parent for they will shape the child. Work together, be friendly to your neighbor, and most importantly love the children each and every one.

A few years ago we had a President inquire about us changing from a PTO to a PTA. We decided against it. We are in a very conservative community and we do not share some of the beliefs that the PTA does. Don't get me wrong, the PTA has helped establish some good programs. However, probably 90% of our parents are conservative Republicans. Politics is such a dirty game; it doesn't look good for the PTA to be on the campaign trail with the politicians. They need to distance themself from the candidates.