You know, I forget sometimes that the "O" in PTO is for "organization," and that does encompass all of us on the boards, whether they be PTA or "PTO." I'm just glad we all have a voice here--I've learned a lot these past few months from people in both camps, and I'm glad that they both exist.

One of the things that I thought about today (I was trying to think of a way to end my part on this thread on an 'up' note) was that when folks who frequent this site regularly, they usually refer to the various groups as PTO's. That stands for Parent Teacher ORGANIZATIONS. Plural. It covers PTO's, PTVO's, PTSO's, PTA's, etc. That is all of us, no matter what the abbreviations or the acronyms. I think we are all organizations that work towards the same basic goal: bettering the education of this country's youth.

My Grandmother used to say the only time you find prejudice is when you are looking for it. I think that as long as we continue to look for the bad in the differences between PTA's and PTO's, we will find bad. As long as we look for an argument, we will find one. I for one am thankful for each and every person who tries to better the education of children on any level.

Besides, who has time to argue? I've got a family to raise, meetings to attend, committees to chair, first graders to tutor, a pizza party to throw, etc.

I wish people wouldn't worry so much if it's PTO's, PTA's, PTwhatevers. It seems a competition of some sort is throw into the mix for whatever reason. I'm also not talking this board but overall in general. It doesn't matter what group you are apart of and it does not matter what position your hold or what you do. What matters is that you are their for your child during their school years regardless of what group you are in and what you do. If you are contributing then you are one of the best in the world regardless. Sometimes I just wish ppl would drop the drama or the titles or whatnot. The fighting because someone steps on your toes, the drama cause you can't do what you want...and all that whatnot...And btw this really isn't a direct comment to anyone or about what you guys are talking about. I just kinda figured since I was reading this one first and it kind of goes along the lines then I'd post it. But then again it makes me laugh sometimes when I read about it or see it...my first thought is the kids are acting more mature then the parents...maybe this should be its own thread hahahah heck if i know so I hope you don't mind that I jumped on this thread to post it

MetzyMom--Wow!! I wish I were as prepared when I have to debate this issue! If you don't mind, I might print this thread to use whenever our PTA gives us that rhetoric about fundraising!

Of course no one thinks kids should be the salesman, and for the most part, they aren't, in that they aren't being sent door to door, or sitting at a booth somewhere peddling their goods (though now when I think about it,don't Girl Scouts do that kind of thing? They do around here). But as you said, they ARE the vehicle, whether they're conscious of it or not. Whether it's portraits, or cookie dough or magazines they are needed, and for Ms Hodge to insinuate that the PTA NEVER uses students, or that PTOs do burden children with fundraising responsibility is just silly.

[ 03-17-2004, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: kmamom ]

Okay, does YOUR cookie dough sell its self? How does the cookie dough flyers get to the parents? How does Grandma know when to order?

"National PTA believes that children should not be used as fundraisers. Children are at school to learn and should not be burdened with the financial responsibilities of their education". Hot damn! I agree with that too! Sounds great in theory. The reality is that while Linda M. Hodge, National PTA President 2003-2005 may say that kids shouldn't be used, her organization sold ads to vendors whose products require children in some way. Schools see those ads in the PTA mag and figure it must be okay to use them because the organization has them in their fundraising mag...

In the current issue of Fundraising Essentials (I got mine this month, March 2004), check out page 18 where it says that "the top four methods most used to raise funds are book fairs (88 percent), PRODUCT SALES (81 percent), school/family portraits (53 percent), and school carnivals (48 percent)". Of those four, 2 are directly student driven (product sales and unless only adults are the ones screaming to go to the carnival, carnivals are also student direct), and of the other two (portraits and book fairs), only portraits is not student driven, but require class time to do.

Check out the ads on pages: 9, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 33, 35, 38, 40, 43, 44, and 45. The magazine is 46 pages long. It carries 13 pages of student driven ads. I didn't count the ones like Campbells Soup, online fundraisers or ink jet cartridges. I also didn't count the ones listed in articles like Fundraising Success Stories (page 19), where you find, guess what? A student driven magazine sale listed as a "PTA Fundraising Success Story".

I'm not saying that there is anything different going on in PTO's. Certainly not! We make things happen in school with money. That money has to come from somewhere and I don't hear about too many bake sales that raise 20K as a fall fundraiser. In a perfect world, we would never use our students to raise funds or even be the mules that just take the flyer home, knowing full well that SOMEONE has to sell the stuff. I just think that any group that makes a statement like Linda M. Hodge does in the beginning of the issue should make sure that what follows suit matches the statement. In this case, it didn't. Making the money by a PTA or a PTO event that involves children is almost a necessary evil. We hate doing it, but we DO do it. Not too often, but it does get done.

In closing, unregistered, it looks to me like someone trying to have their cake and eat it too. Sorry. I swear I didn't make this stuff up. It's all in black and white.

[ 03-16-2004, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]

MetzyMom - I'm curious where you find an article in the PTA fundraising mag that talks about selling stuff via children. I thought they made it pretty clear throughout the magazine that they are against that.

Originally posted by TheMetzyMom:
[QB] For instance, the recent fundraising mag sent out from PTA (yes, I get it and read it cover to cover...lol), the National Pres says that children should not be used for fundraising. I agree with that, but then most of the articles and ads were about selling something via children. The reality is that cookie dough doesn't sell it's self...lol...