C'mon KC Swan, you're ruining my reputation.

Tim

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>maybe the people you're asking aren't trying to hide anything. Maybe they don't know the answers.<hr></blockquote>

I can practically guarantee you that they aren't trying to hide anything. Speaking from experience, it is very easy to run a local PTA with no consideration of what is being done with your dues beyond the local level.

And those officers beyond the local level, who would be aware? They aren't going to hide anything, they're going to be proud of where the money is going. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Like our good host Tim has said before: if what PTA has to offer is what you want, then belonging to PTA is a good thing for you. (Note to some PTA boosters: Tim isn't the anti-Christ!) [img]smile.gif[/img] )

I asked the same kind of questions to our pres and vp and they just didn't know. Ah, maybe the people you're asking aren't trying to hide anything. Maybe they don't know the answers. We've been looking into it more now since last month, not surer what will come of it.

If you want specific numbers, at the national level, financial statements are included on the PTA website at www.pta.org/aboutpta/annualreport/

Here's how it breaks down (the Forum software automatically removeds extra spaces, so I'm putting in some underlines to help line up the numbers.)

2001 Total Revenue: $7,859,619
It looks like 92.5% of this comes from dues.

2001 Total Expenses: $9,469,579

Program Services
3,652,295 Communication
__582,776 Programs
__569,433 Field Service/Training
__540,380 Advocacy
__628,329 Convention
__472,756 Officers/Meetings

---

6,445,969

Support Services
2,819,849 General and Admin
__203,761 Development

---

3,023,610

"Communication" has to do with delivering a consistent message in print and electronic communication. So I expect this is mostly the big media campaign PTA started last year. I think it caps at $3,000,000 next year.

[ 10-11-2002: Message edited by: JHB ]</p>

Hi ah --

(Sounds like the first two things I say at the Dr's office in this day-and-age of managed care. Thank you, I'll be here all week. You've been great.)

Here's a link on PTA site where they describe their version of what you get for your dues:

www.pta.org/aboutpta/bemember/why_involved.asp

And here's a link to PTA page talking about PTA's Washington involvement:

www.pta.org/ptawashington/index.asp

Hope that helps.

Tim

I can't seem to get a straight answer on where our PTA dues are going. (National & State)
What political organizations does the PTA support and where do I find proof to take to the next PTA meeting.
I am very frustrated with the way my questions are being diverted.

AH