If your bylaws are like most other units, than they include contacting your state office within a certain amount of time. They may also require that you have a state rep come and make their case as to why the benefits of staying PTA are benefits. If you have done the research and found that PTO is your best option than why would it seem unreasonable to allow both sides to speak.
"Give me a break. What are we 12 year olds sneaking out of the house at night? This is exactly why groups just up and leave, because they're treated like little kids by "states."
Exactly, are you twelve year olds? Why should you sneak out. If you were in an informal partnership with an individual, decorum would suggest that you do it honestly. It has nothing to do with being told what to do. It's a matter of courtesy allowing both sides to do what one-state is required to do and the other-unit to do what is expected to do.
In doing your comparison get real numbers. CT's membership is $4.75, yes only a .25 difference but at 250 members, that adds up to $62.50. Contact the insurance companies themselves including your PTA insurance company. Get real quotes, not website information from either side.
By following the meeting law and vote with both sides representing the facts, everyone involved can make an informed and accurate decision.
As for a scare tactic, and getting ugly- if you are in a relationship and you begin another one before notifying the other person, would you not expect the person who was decieved to be upset by it? We deal with these consequences in our everyday lives. Companies ask for two weeks notice and if you don't give it, they can react angrily by not giving a good referal. It's common decency not scare tactics.
Being honest isn't a "you better do it or else" it's the right thing to do. Your ask for positives yet encouraging negative actions.
If PTO is right for you then the facts will show it.

Hmmmm, don't disagree completely with what Michelle's saying (follow your bylaws is good advice), but I do have a couple of comments:

1. "States can get ugly if you are sneaky about it"

Give me a break. What are we 12 year olds sneaking out of the house at night? This is exactly why groups just up and leave, because they're treated like little kids by "states."

Follow the letter/minimum of the bylaws. You don't have to follow all the things you're told/threatened by the "state."

2. "I also recommend your pricing out the difference in price for your insurance should you go PTO. "

Agreed. The math is important. In many/the majority of states, insurance through PTA is cheaper than insurance through the National PTO Network. BUT -- that math equation also has to include the cost of dues. In CT, for example, dues are $5 per member per group per year. With 250 members, that's $1250. Even if PTA insurance was $200 cheaper (it's usually not *that* much cheaper, but...), you'd still be out $1050 for the PTA option. The decision after that is whether you're getting $1050 of additional value out of your PTA affiliation.

Again, no right or wrong here. But it always surprises me when PTA folks try to use scare tactics or bully tactics to keep groups. Would be nice to stick to the positives, rather than a "you better do it right/we're gonna get you and tell on you" approach.

My $0.02.

Tim

Aretha is completely correct in the steps you need to take. If your bylaws are much like most of the schools PTA bylaws, you are required to notify your State office of your decision to dissolve within a timely manner. State is required to notify the IRS regarding the dissolution of a PTA. You will have to file for 501c3 status independently. Operating as a PTO without following the procedures would likely be against the bylaws to dissolve since you would not have had the vote from your membership to do so. 2/3rd's majority assures you that you are doing what your other parents want. They have children at your school too and deserve to be told of the decision that you are making for their children as well. Sure, they may not notice but how would feel if someone made this decision for you just because they thought you were ignorant.
States can get ugly if you are sneaky about it. Do it right. And make sure you get all the facts from both sides before you make this decision. I suggest you contact both PTA schools in your area as well as PTO and speak to their officers to get an accurate description of what the benefits of each are. I also recommend your pricing out the difference in price for your insurance should you go PTO.
Get the facts. I am currently assisting a former PTA school that went PTO and had significant financial problems. They are coming back as a result of it.
If you follow the steps, and do it properly then the transition will be easy.

Hi PTOSIMP -

I think Aretha is making the switch sound more difficult/extreme than it really is. Remember that more than 70% of K-8 parent groups are independent PTOs, so it's definitely doable.

You should consult your bylaws. Those would be your guide for dissolving your PTA. If your group has decided to dissolve, then I would juts quietly follow the steps outlined in the bylaws. I wouldn't get the state office all that involved (juts the minimum involvement required by your bylaws), because I've just heard too many stories about the state offices making things very difficult/ugly.

The "starting a PTO" process is completely separate from dissolving your PTA. You can start your PTO, while the PTA is still going through the process of dissolving. In fact, at this time of year that's exactly what I would recommend. Start your PTO now, get a bank account for PTO, start putting "PTO" on your newsletters, etc. The vast majority of your parents won't even know/care/understand the difference.

At the same time, you can be spending down the funds in your PTA account, going through the dissolve steps, and setting up the PTO.

If you explore the "PTO v PTA" section of this forum and read our PTO v PTA FAQ section ( www.ptotoday.com/ptofaq.html ), you'll have a great head start.

Good luck,

Tim

If you have a copy of your bylaws it should tell you what you need to do to end your PTA. If you don't have a copy I suggest you contact your state PTA office. In general your PTA will have to surrender all its books and records as well as all of its assets and property to the state PTA or agency designated by the state PTA. You will have to officialy dissolve your group by having a vote of the general body membership with at least 30 days notice of the vote. You will also have to let your state PTA know this vote is going happen and when. The vote has to pass with a 2/3 affirmative vote of the total membership. Then you will have to file a 990 Form with the IRS. Your new group will then have to apply for tax exempt status. Depending on where you live this will not be an easy or overnight process. Best of luck with your new group. I hope this helped you.

I need some guidance ASAP!!! We have been a PTA and are converting to a PTO this year. What do I need to do to begin this process? We have our Kindergarten open house next week and want to promote PTO beginning at this meeting. Any suggetions would be helpful!!!