Ok, this one was hard for me to follow but I just wanted to make comment. I've never been a PTA fan but never been against it either. If they are promoting "That's a Family" I have an weensy problem with that, I've seen this film and I walked away confused. I think it would be ok for older kids, it is not just about homosexual relations but bi-racial families, divorced families, single parent families, and children that live with a guardian other than the biological father/mother. This film seemed long, I had a hard time sitting through it because it really didn't keep my attention,it was hard to follow the way it was put together. I feel that if young children watch this movie they should see it with a parent. I don't see how promoting this film would be any different than promoting religion(I am not saying I am for or against that, it is just my opinion). If they do promote this film I hope they send out good information about it to the families first. So if you have a PTA and this has come up you may want to do your homework to know what to expect. Please understand I do not mean to offend anyone, I just feel that some of the subject on this film is very sensitive.

Tim- Daron's comment about you listing this site on search engines so you could pull them in and make them leave. I think that may be a compliment, to think one person (or website) would have that much power. LOL! I think the most of us on this forum can respect each others opinions even if we don't agree and I figured if there are more PTOers on here it was because the PTA had their own site and I know we have PTA members on here as well, I am sure I've gotten some good ideas from them since finding this forum. Thanks for all you do! God Bless everyone for their endless efforts for our children and their education no matter what their group is called.

[ 04-10-2004, 11:06 PM: Message edited by: C. Brooks ]

I think it's sad the way this topic took it's turn-

quote:

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Originally posted by Michelle B:
But I do think that your taking things stated here more personally than you should. Daron's school made a choice. He shared that choice with the forum.

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He "shared that choice" in 5 posts and about 2500 words.

The very first post that started the initial backlash was a brief update with a few of the reasons why they chose to stay with the PTA. Because this site was a for-profit (which I have absolutely no problem with- I was only clarifying the difference, as it related to his post and not in ANY way saying that one is better than the other and that for them it made a difference. In his original posts www.ptotoday.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=000206
You referred him to joining NPN and so this websites for-profit status is a valid reason for them to reference.)
It was only after two posts about why they were wrong in doing so- making a political choice for their members, being part of the machine, supporting a group that's "in bed with Coca-Cola" that the other 2500 words followed. Of course, that was answered with sarcasm- Brinks truck etc.
It also seemed that perhaps the reading was just skimmed, picking out what to some might have viewed as an attack. In reading and re-reading the above posts, I don't see the thinly veiled stabs that you mention but rather a defense to other not so thinly veiled stabs directed at him, personally.
It was stated before (in other topics) that some of the posters are afraid to even say that they are PTA. In topics completely un-related to the PTA v PTO debate, comments are tacked on like, "this is exactly why I like PTO and why PTA is bad" even though PTA was never even mentioned in the topic.

and that because the PTA is hardly pro PTO, they don't go out of their way to educate people they CAN go PTO.

I don't think that there is anyone here who is a PTO that would educate anyone on how or why they can go PTA. Not without the pro-PTO slant. That's fine. I accept that because this is the PTOtoday website but do not fault PTA because they do the same. (and kma You know I love ya!)
I don't quit the board because I like the people I correspond with. For those that like to take the occasional stab at me- I ignore them but what keeps me coming back aside from the good people that I can help and who can help me, is the fact that if I leave, who will defend things like how evil the PTA is?
I think that Daron could have moved from this topic into other ones but someone had to chime in and say how wrong they were for making that choice (and then the bigger stuff followed) The topic itself was almost off the daily topics. Did he feel like he had to defend that decision when it was questioned? Wouldn't anyone of you? He never said, this is why YOU shouldn't be PTO.

If the "one controlling the board" is coming out on top, well, perhaps there's another reason for that.

I do know from personal experience that an entire topic can be deleted or closed. I wonder...
Blue- soda is bad for you anyway. How about Ice Tea? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Not that Daron will see this, but......

I'm sorry you feel you must abandon this site; you're missing some great information and networking from people who have a passion, as you obviously do, to help our children.

I won't apologize, though, for the fact that my "mind is made".

After several years in the PTA machine, I saw PTO as a better way to go in our situation; so my mind is made up after making a choice. So is yours. Those are good things.

It's the PTA's repeated attempts to speak for everyone, when they have no intention to really do so, that drive me nuts and cause me to feel the way I do about them. For heaven's sake, to be a child-advocacy group, advocate the children; don't use them to promote your social or political agenda.....and that's a main reason why the National PTA has so fewer members today than it did 40 years ago.....more and more people discovered there was a choice, and preferred the alternative.

I SINCERELY hope you can make a difference in PTA, even at just the State level. It needs the help. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Originally posted by d88keyz:
well...I guess I'm out of here.


Tim, more power to you. I love the site - as a web designer the layout, ease of use and everything looks good.

Thanks. And the hundreds of pages of free practical content isn't bad either, if I do say so myself.

I can't help it. Others can't help it. We feel strongly and thus we fight - we throw condeming comments, call out names, criticize and complain, make assumptions, throw out facts, and in the end the one controlling the board comes out on top.

Didn't edit a word you said or retstrict what you said in any way. If the "one controlling the board" is coming out on top, well, perhaps there's another reason for that.

Best of luck in your parent group work. PTO, PTA, XYZ -- it's so valuable for our schools.

Tim

Daron--You're not reading this, but in case you are...by taking the stance you did in the way you did you were surprised by the reactions? A little advice from first hand experience--don't dish out negatives unless you can handle spooning it back in, and when you ask for opinions, make sure you really want them. I feel badly that it got too heavy for you; the "dissenting" opinion is often the one that generates the most conversation. I'm glad MichelleB hangs in--she's one that keeps me a member of the PTA, and gives me hope for its future!

well...I guess I'm out of here.

blue67ccm, it reminds me of someone talking to a former spouse. their mind is made, their decisions have been grounded and there is no other motion that will occur.

I've been told on this post that I have a sour attitude, think I'm morally above others, and all other sorts of stuff...'eh, that's what I get for practicing southern hospitality and genuine open discussion.

minds are made up. decisions are set.

Tim, more power to you. I love the site - as a web designer the layout, ease of use and everything looks good. I must slam you once - yes, do exactly what I said I wouldn't do, but....the whole "for profit" thing or whatever....

I noticed at Overture (top search engine) you are paying .33 per click for searches done for "PTA". And on Google, you are paying for listing when searches are done for "PTA". So clearly you are trying to grab those who search for PTA....then of course they see the whole PTA vs PTO discussion when they come to your site, and thus many will leave PTA. But also I noticed National PTA is outbidding you for searches for "PTO" so I guess we all shall play the game together. and I bet somewhere along the recent past...heck, maybe even now...you are/were a PTA member...and enjoyed their resources, ideas and everything else. But now it's off to build a better mouse trap. good luck.

There....I did the dirty deed, I slung the mud and thus now I shall flee.

I can't help it. Others can't help it. We feel strongly and thus we fight - we throw condeming comments, call out names, criticize and complain, make assumptions, throw out facts, and in the end the one controlling the board comes out on top.

I will not quit PTA, but I will quit this discussion. Everyone seems set in their way and personal beliefs. great. it's been interesting to read the comments. Even feel the heat from the fingers typing out the words.

I also found it ammusing that someone who is pro-PTO even pointed out one huge problem with the whole "PTO" idea. there is no organization. They even said themselves that PTOs should "come together nationally" and that there was no voice. But as everyone knows, it would be impossible to get everyone agreeing (as some posts have pointed out).

So it's not perfect. PTA is not perfect. and every member in a PTO in a school is not going to agree either.

So why in the world should we all assume we will!? :confused:

I gotta go. Tons of emails to read from my local State PTA office. I'm joining the State PTA to help out - try to make some changes in the "machine". Gotta do some reading and researching then a lot of typing. ug.

Here's to the children! My 9 yr old and 7yr old and to each of you and your school! God speed in making this country a better place for the children!

~Daron