Hi d88 --

Haven't seen your exact bylaws, but it sounds like the restrictions you're referring to would apply to your PTA, not your school. In other words, your PTA can not enter into partnerships with others, yadda. Your PTA bylaws would have no control over your school.

On the nonprofit thing, you actually have several months to get that started and the status will be retroactive to your beginning. I would suggest getting an EIN from the IRS (very simple), so you can set up a PTO bank account.

Many of these steps are made much easier with membership in our National PTO Network ( www.PTOtoday.com/npn ).

Tim

Rockne,

...well then I have another question about this - we talked JUST TODAY about doing this - starting a PTO while the PTA is still "there" - THUS the fundraiser we have coming up this month, we'd just throw out money from it in the new PTO account, BUT

1) Do we have to get the 5013C IRS thing before we open the account?
2) Our bylaws says that "the organization shall not enter into membership with other organizations except such international or national organizations as may be approved by the National PTA Board of Directors" so does that mean that the school can not go into a "partnership" with our new PTO unless the old PTA is fully dissolved?

Yes, they can. It's the equivalent of being a PTA president and a Lions club president at the same time. The two groups are distinct.

One bit of advice: While in the process (especially if you have overlapping officers), be doubly careful about keeping the two entities separate. Meetings. Agendas. Votes. Funds (especially funds). -- do you best to see that there's a clear line of distinction between the PTO and the PTA until the PTA is finally dissolved.

Tim

I've got a question concerning forming a PTO while there is still an active PTA. Can the officers from the PTA board participate in the process? Our PTA board is willing to disband the PTA and start a PTO and we would like them to carry on as the PTO officers.

Thanks for any advice!