I've tried to just observe these posts along the way but WOW! I knew that a few of the anti-PTA posters would come out after your decision to stay came up, and surprised the post itself didn't just disappear but I had no idea how you would respond! Hopefully most of them will be like IMovepeople and not be too critical of you for your choice.

Let me respond to the Coca Cola issue. They give national some funding, they are a sponsor as is AT&T Wireless, Kidz Idz, the NFL (where are the football haters?) and Parents Media group. www.pta.org/aboutpta/sponsors.asp
Now, the bigger issue was the fact that a Coca Cola exec joined the National executive board. Some seem to think that he can actually change the course of PTA (he has no voting rights and he is a volunteer www.usa.pipeline.com/~rgibson/cokePTA.html ) and regardless of our strong position against commercialism in schools, that we'll be pushing Coke in the schools. In another area of the forums, kmamom was discussing her school's concern that by using a certain fundraising-(hair salon) that it would be advertising but her group needs money. Most posters seemed to agree that using a company to fundraise does not mean you are endorsing that company- I suppose that since National is doing it, it's different but since most groups don't stay and fight, like you said you are doing, we need funding from other sources in addition to dues. It's a necessary evil at the local levels (krispy kreme sales, campbells soup labels etc) and it's necessary at national. And at the local levels when we get companies to donate to us, most of us use the amount of exposure they will get when we thank them. They will be credited publically but GOD FORBID, PTA did it. I even accepted a donated gift certificate from a tatoo parlor. I'm not turning down ANY donations. And again to the Coke Big-Wig on the board, PTA is open to everyone. It is in the bylaws that they cannot use their positions to gain any benefits and I know that none of us do (otherwise, I would have one hell of an insurance client base right now!)
Anyhow, Daron, good luck to you and your group. It is the passionate in this organization that effect change and it is the diversity of the group that keeps us from falling to one side or the other but rather in the middle and we need that.

dang...just can't quit when you find something you believe in 'eh? Sorry, I have to keep going for a second…..

You said "I'm sorry that their machine caused you to stay with them..."
>>>The "machine" did not "cause" us to stay with them. I took the machine apart, interviewed many of the folks turning the gears, read the manuals that I could find and want to help FIX the machine...not toss it out.

"...and you should make sure your membership knows ALL that National PTA stands for and let them decide if they want their money supporting it."
>>>Check almost every reply from PTOToday hardcore members..."check your bylaws" is a common answer for what you just said. See, our bylaws gives our local PTA Board (and probably all others) the right to speak for and represent our PTA Members. As you may know, not many PTA members come to PTA Board meetings (although hey can) nor do many other PTA members get involved - it's usually only the hardcore parents and local board members. So according to our bylaws, we don't have to print out, mass produce, call or email ALL of the PTA members and let them know the negative headlines. Everyone has the same power to find out information – the problem is, some people are lazy and do not want to read, research and study. (Also keep reading I have another reply to your statement coming up)

In our Board meeting we voted to adopt a resolution to dissolve our PTA (per our bylaws saying how to disband the PTA) and EVEN if our PTA Board voted to adopt the resolution, THEN we give our PTA members 30 days notice of a special meeting. It would have been THEN at that meeting that possibly those FOR or AGAINST would be able to voice their concerns, what they have heard, etc....on PTA. It would then be at THAT time that all members would have to TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES to be informed. But once again - not many PTA Members even come to those meetings. Then if 2/3 decides to leave - we would have left.

But our board voted down the recommendation to dissolve. And after all...it is the local PTA board that does more, knows more and is involved more in the lives of the kids in our public school. So we had that right and we took it with pride and tried to do our best to be prepared. And we made our decision.

...oh, the statement about Coca Cola...please post to this board a link to something online referencing this "relationship" PTA made with Coke. I'm sorry, but I work online all day and know what you hear may not even be true....heck, what you READ may not even be true. I'd like to know more - please send me references and information documenting this. Otherwise....as I say concerning biblical issues..."If you don't know the scripture, don't paraphrase it...you change the original meaning and point" - all you do is confuse people and worry/scare/or intimidate them. So when you said “sure your membership knows ALL that National PTA stands for” – please email me “ALL” that they stand for. And once again – send links….references…..let’s discuss. Because I read, I called and I emailed and I think we found out enough and through that even saw the best choice to make – to help fight the good fight.

So - there is a challenge to PTOToday.com.

NO MORE negative posts of PTA without a link, reference or quote that can be traced....let's get the real info out there (hey….it may change my mind!) Any average person searching for answers will read something on this board posted by god only knows who and then believe it without researching and finding out the truth and thus dissolve the PTA and go back saying, “they are in bed with Coke and they love gays!! – we love Pepsi here in our cafeteria and I think homosexuals are not right in their decisions so let’s leave PTA!”

So when you post what you have heard and “know” – prove it. Let’s educate each other.

~Daron

Oh....I also wanted to mention that our PTA was looking at TWO reasons to quit PTA.

1) Their website and past President's words concerning homosexuality...saying it's acceptable and speaking out in defense of this lifestyle. ((And folks, do not make this a religious debate....email me if you want to do that...but not here))

2) Would that $400 (we send) be better used in the school.

We found out with the first issue that the National PTA has never adopted a resolution accepting or promoting the gay lifestlye. But they have decided to partner with corporations that DO and who want to help Public Education...so PTA joins along with them and financailly works for the bettering of Public Schools/funding/Legislature, etc....and unfortunately those companies support issues i disagree with. But our State PTA is in 100% agreement with everything our local PTA believes in. We decided to stick together and fight.

2) the $400 would buy us about 25 books for the Media Center (library), but we found out with NPN and some other insurance options....there was NO huge financial reason to switch. This is different per school I'm sure, but for us...there was no financial reason to switch. the coast for the 501 c (or whatever) the cost for the same insurance coverage and all that....there was no HUGE difference and thus no reason to say "Look! We would keep so much more money locally".

So we decided to stay PTA and help. And we will help.

~Daron

Well.....I had no idea our personal decision would affect others in such strong ways. So since you've directed the questions...I'll answer.

Our PTA spent a week researching, calling, emailing and reading about PTA.

Your PTO may be Non-Profit. But Tim Sullivan (PTOToday.com) is making cash. This website and the only national/networking PTO "organization" would be the PTOToday website and magazine and such. That is a for-profit business.

I'm not knocking Tim, he's got to make a living. And yes, we don't have to pay Tim a dime to be a PTO, but my point only in my statement was that Tim is profiting from many PTAs becoming PTOs when they visit his site, read magazine...etc. He sells advertising on the site, click-thrus, banner ads, magazine ads, etc. I AM NOT KNOCKING THAT THOUGH!!! And more power to Tim to continue making a living, but that was my statement - when I said PTA is non-profit.

As for "informing all of our PTA members what national PTA is making stands on (issues)" - this was my topic for my week of emailing our State office and reading online and searching www.pta.org all over from head to toe.

YES, the National PTA has had past Presidents say that the "That's A Family" (pro-homosexuality video) would be promoted and an effort would be "spearheaded by the PTA" (that President's words). YES you can go to www.pta.org and find under Organizations and such Resources links to organizations that promote Homosexuality and "tolerance" (I hate that word) of "other lifestyles". YES you can take a ride more toward the west and find more and more schools and PTA members and State Presidents who would agree with all of that too. But let me now bring it all back to OUR PTA in Mississippi – the subject of the first post here.

I, and our local PTA found out where our $400 dollars or so are going each year. We personally met a State Board member (thanks Mary!). And guess what I found out? That board member, our State President and many other State Mississippi PTA delegates are 100% in disagreement with many of the stands "National PTA" has taken on these issues. And guess what? California holds 1/6 of the National PTA membership. Who do YOU think gets in more votes and influence on a national scale? Northeast Mississippi? Heck no - the West (liberal) Coast does. Mississippi PTA has 22 delegates that can represent our schools and parents in the state. Do you know the average that have attended a National Conference (had voting power)?? On an average 3 to 4. These problems in National PTA have not happened because PTA has changed – but because we stopped fighting and we quit and gave in and would not stand up for what we believed in – we read the headlines and quit.

So my conclusion is this. If you WERE a PTA and left because of the "issues" PTA supports.....how hard did you FIRST try to help PTA? How many of your local PTA volunteered to serve on a state level and get involved? How often did your PTA email and write congressional representatives? How hard did you FIRST try to find out indeed if National PTA adopted a "resolution" concerning an issue you did not like? Or are you thinking because some National folks have influenced the press and the media and the headlines that ALL PTA State reps think the same?

No way. They do not. In PTA you have local PTA members, Regional PTA members and State PTA members who disagree with some decisions PTA has made on a national whole. (but….read on)

So why did we stay? Because not ONLY is PTA a "ship worth saving" but it's not the way this honorable southerner was brought up to "hike tail and run" when facing challenges. National PTA is facing a huge challenge. Our State Board office is getting smaller and smaller (physically) because of budget cuts because a group of parents in South Mississippi in a small town heard "homosexuals" and "PTA" together and said, "Heck! That $200 would buy a handful of books for our kids...let's quit PTA!" - but they never asked...questioned....invited a State rep to come and talk....they just quit. Our State board has confessed “we do a lousy job in informing our units of what is going on” – but instead of saying, “well, you need to get with it!” I said….and our local PTA said…

…We will help.

I will not quit.

Our PTA voted not to quit.

And more power to you if you did quit. You have your reasons....and that's great for you.

But I hope one day when you PASSIONATELY believe a cause - and you PASSIONATELY want to fight for something...and a "small influential group" tends to get the headlines and tends to sway the way your organization looks, that you would at least STAY and help fight for what is right instead of quitting.

To each his own. The beauty of our Nation. But do not criticize our decision for staying PTA. Do not assume our members are being fooled...or that they are just so uninformed of the “real” PTA…oh no. I printed out so much info and read it all - we discussed, we debated, and we resolved to one conclusion:
PTA is the best way our $400 each year can be spent to fight for our local public school and public school children. Period.

Our decision. And it was a great one.

You can not criticize that. You may not agree – but the party that was directly affected (which by the way is not you) was in agreement and focused on what we are trying to see achieved with our schools.

And we are going to make that effort through the PTA.

~Daron

Sorry! One more thing....

PTA is non-profit and PTO is not??? Are you crazy???

This site is not the "umbrella organization" for all PTO's. The PTO I preside over is NON-PROFIT, as are the others.

PTO's also don't have lucrative deals with companies like Coca-Cola, but the National PTA does, and readily gives seats on their board of directors to people from companies who "contribute" to them. Is this the "spirit" of a non-profit organization??

[ 04-08-2004, 10:46 PM: Message edited by: blue67ccm ]

This post stream shows how badly PTO's need to at least network with each other. We don't have to have a "national" organization, but when we have a network informing the general population of PTO's on educational issues in government, we as citizens can voice our opinions individually and in groups.

Just because PTA has a lobbying machine doesn't mean it speaks for "all" children. Far from it. I know it doesn't, just check out their stands on various issues. I'm sorry that their machine caused you to stay with them, and you should make sure your membership knows ALL that National PTA stands for and let them decide if they want their money supporting it.