Every time I hear a PTA person talk about $1 it makes me mad. When we were a PTA, we had to pay more than $700 every year in dues, I'm sure it's higher now. For a group to be a PTA it has to pay dues to state and national for every member. The bigger we got the more we had to pay the PTA and we didn't get anything more from the PTA for being bigger. We thought about just saying we had 50 members or something then we decided why bother and we just became a PTO. We still do great things for kids.

I realize using the word selfish is harsh. But in cases I have seen and been subjected to the word seems to fit. I am not saying all schools who are not PTA are selfish, I am saying that in quite a few cases they are. Selfish in the aspect that they want to do things their way and not give anyone else a chance. Selfish in terms that the children aren't really the first thing on their list (there are groups out there that do this). I am speaking of people involved in groups that may call themselves PTO, PTA, PAT, or whatever and never even consider posting on a forum such as this, or even delve into a debate on such a topic. These groups are out there and they are selfish because they are only out for how it makes them look or how it affects their child. The only way public schools will work is if parent groups stick together. I think it is great that PTA's and PTO's function together, effectively in the same town. I wish it were like that everywhere but it isn't. I speak on this topic because it is one I am bent on changing. I believe that whether you are a PTO or a PTA you can still have an effective say in how our children are being educated, what is going on in our schools, safety issues, health issues, and many other things that PTA has fought and strived for many years. I apologize if I have offended any true PTO or PTA member by speaking about selfish groups as I have. If you have never encountered any, consider yourselves lucky. Unfortunately they run rampant where I live. Thank you and I have enjoyed reading and responding to all of the issues and comments.
I am a bit concerned about the post that suggests more PTA postings than any other. I hope this isn't an indication that PTA parents are more opinionated on these kind of forums. I look forward to conversing with all parent groups and sharing and caring about all children.
Anna in Louisiana
PTA Proud

[This message has been edited by Anna in Louisiana (edited 08-29-2000).]

I still find it very interesting that people curse the amount of money that PTAs send in to the national and state PTAs. If you actually look at it in another way, the membership is only a third of a years subscription to PTOTODAY where, I might be wrong, it looks like most PTOs get thier info from.
No matter what parent group someone is affiliated with or not, I would, and I hope all PTAers and PTOers would never curse a group a very dedicated parents no matter what.
A couple of points that I would like to make though is about the lobbyist in our states and nation, please understand that what little I know about them is that they are not in the positions they are in to lobby for playground equip., computer, books, etc., rather they are in those positions to lobby for smaller class sizes, better funding for our teachers, health and welfare of ALL kids in every school not just my kids school. Please don't misunderstand me, I do not disagree with the fact that the vast majority of PTOs and PTAs are orderly and organized but I still feel we have to look at the big picture not just our sons and daughters own school, but the less fortunate schools need to have an advocate to voice there concerns. We are all a light in our own kids school but should'nt we be a light in our nieghbor kids school too?

Having served as both a PTA President and now as a PTO President in two different elementary schools, I feel that I have a unique perspective on this subject. When I first joined my current PTO I could not understand why they did not want to be a PTA, but after the first year I began to see the benefits of standing independent in your organization. We are as orderly, organized, and duty driven as the PTA I served, but the hard earned dollars raised are being kept right in our school to meet the needs of the students we serve here. I am working hard to improve the school not just for my daughter (who is in her last year here), but for many students for years to come. I don't feel I need to have lobbyist in Washington to help me buy computers, books, playground equipment,and the many other areas we are working at improving in our school. I am happy to light the one candle in my dark corner, I don't need to light up the country, nor do I curse the darkness because I have a group of dedicated parents working with me to make our children's school the best we can.

Kathy in Texas,
What a post, you are so right on about this topic. Do you find it interesting that there is only two replies to this topic from PTOs? And one is from the publisher!! INTERESTING!!

State and National Advocacy aside - lets look at what PTA's do LOCALLY to benefit a school district. What about School Board Candidate Forums? What about clothing and school supply resources for needy kids in a district - that includes ALL schools? What about preschool health screenings preparing kids for entering the district? What about art exhibits for ALL schools to participate in?...The list could go on and on. Our school district of 31 schools is 100% PTA-pure because of what we can accomplish when we work together for the WHOLE district. Its fine to keep all your monies at home, but how can you as a PTO parent say you are a child advocate for all children without belonging to the only true child advocacy organization - the PTA? You walk a fine line if you as PTO's want to organize, train and advocate for anyone beyond your own school, because once you do that you have stepped over the line to be the same as a PTA. Even this website is riding the fence. WHere is its funding coming from? Are you going to have a convention? Why not attend PTA's? WHy not be a voting delegate and have a voice in what you think we as parents should stand for? WHo else is going to fight for the rights of children if we as parents don't do it? Can you do that as an individual member of a PTO? I think NOT. There IS strength in numbers. Your voice is stronger when we work together as a part of something bigger. Think about it? Why not belong to something that works together for the good of all children? WHy not belong to something that provides the leadership training and information that you as individual PTO's long for? Look at what you pay in dues to the Boy Scouts, girl scouts, sports programs, educational programs, other non-profits....Look at the fund raising you do for some of these other organizations. Is the PTA so out of line with other causes you support? Look hard, then decide if maybe the extra $1 to the National PTA isn't worth it after all! For ALL children! Kathy in Texas