This PTO/PTA thing is interesting to me because my kids have been at the same school (K3-8) the whole time and we have a "Parents' Club" which is a PTO, I guess. We are almost entirely a fundraising entity, I'm realizing. We don't really provide Parent Education, etc. We create and staff fundraisers primarily. It's interesting to read how all groups are different, though. We fund things like computer systems, playground equipment, etc. $200 per teacher for supplies, all coffee supplies for teachers, luncheons for teachers , etc. I'm amazed that some PTA's can't buy equipment for their school. just my rambling thoughts..
Shelly
kma-Bertha's posting is similiar to many of the NJ posters that have visited here. (Just like yours even) I did notice that some of the wording at their website has softened a bit but individual units are being told things that they CANNOT do when it is simply, it's discouraged. (and the reasons for that are noble ones, if they are unrealistic) This does not mean you cannot give money to your classroons. That you cannot pay for field trips. My best PTAs do this. My own school pays 10 per child to each teacher. We pay the salaries of a PE Aide and a Kindergarten Aide (the members voted to approve it and we do it)
Other units have bought landscaping, playground equipment, even printers, right down to copy paper. We do still highly encourage (this is not the same as enforce) the 3-1 rule and these same units hold things like a Parenting Class, Suicide Prevention classes, school BBQ, Teacher Appreciation (yes, that counts) etc. You don't have to do it but if all your members see is the school fundraising, if every time they read a flyer from school, it is asking for more money....
The state's purpose, the council's purpose, isn't to control the units. It's to help them. It's in my handbook. I'm sure it's in theirs.
And I don't agree with Bertha in saying that you are the outcasts. You are the future leaders. It's your progressive thinking. It's your need to question and it's your passion for children.
I know that kma you think I'm wonderful but there are more like me in PTA. We just don't get the press!
Bertha--You are the absolute most! Make yourself an official post-er to the site--you have a lot of good advice, learning experiences and anecdotes to share, and I hope you become a regular! I wish all PTA-ers were as great as MichelleB--then the "dark" side wouldn't be "dark" at all, and in fact we'd be NORMAL!
By the way--we still have a LONG way to go on the field trip issue, but we're hammering away at it.
We are a PTA hoping to make the switch over. We do just as many fundraisers as others schools in town, but unlike the other schools, we spend almost all the money ever year on the kids. At the end of the year the teachers request items they would like for the following year, if we have the money we buy the items. The only thing we request is that the teachers get together as a group (per grade level) and tell us what they want(per grade level). We try our best to give each and every grade what they want, but every grade gets something. The PTA states that the money should be used for the GOOD OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL. By giving per grade, we feel its justified.
Unlike Kma's school, we do pay for field trips. We credit every child with $10.00, $3.00 towards classroom supplies and $7.00 towards field trips. Kma's school gives $100. to every teacher for supplies for the classroom.They NEVER went on field trips until they got a new Principal. We also do a lot of family nights (swimming, movies, ice skating, bingo, etc) unlike Kma's school, they don't do anything worthwhile. Kma, it's time you come over to darkside( as we are the outcasts of the PTA's). We imbrace people like you!
Okay, I was about to post a reply to this a few days ago when a nasty virus took out my computer so sorry to reopen it at this point but for me it is still the 27th!
I heard my name and yes, I did cringe. Like kma has said, finding out what you are not supposed to do and what you are asked to not do are completely different.
We suggest that hardware not be purchased directly just for the simple fact that it may breakdown/need upkeep etc and you do not want to saddle a future PTA board with that financial responsibility. Can they do it? Of course! There is nothing to really stop you but there is that concern. What we suggest to PTAs here is that they donate the money to the school and have them purchase the items. It then becomes school property but as another post I have read relates, then the school can do what they want with it (and the district etc) But then PTAs and PTOs (there are topics here) are concerned that if we buy the items and the budget looks at more trimming they can say "well, XYZ school did okay with budget cuts last year, they had paper and got the laminater and they didn't suffer so why does the BOE need to pay for it?"
That is the reason behind the "suggestion" from PTA. But it is by no means "law". Because the reality is, that the budgets are getting cut all over the country and our kids are suffering for it and PTAs (and PTOs) although struggle with the long term effect (BOE says they'll survive) they do what they have to do for their schools.
Bottom line, if your PTA votes to fundraise and pay for these desperately needed items, there isn't a DANG thing anyone can do about it. (Did I mention that I'm Council? [img]smile.gif[/img] )
As for the comment about PTO/fundraising, caring about kids/PTA. It's harsh but it is not a PTA position but rather a person's opinion because face it, PTA/PTO we are all imperfect humans (some more imperfect and less human) that VOLUNTEER our time. Kma has experienced that, I have experienced that and unless the second coming of christ happens, we all will; be it PTA, PTO, Boy Scouts or your local lodge. There are posts all over this board that have control freaks in their midst.
The good news is, they are the minority and most of us are in it for our kids and as for the PTA in your school goes all4school, you have more control than you think. You are required to follow your bylaws. That's it! Follow them and you will be fine.
I made a suggestion regarding convention awhile back and it came across as "law" (e-mail loses emotion sometimes and I forget that) One of my units questioned if it was rule through state. I was corrected in that, although it was a good thing to consider, "follow your bylaws" was the rule. (I made an honest mistake and learned from it.) That too could be the case and you can always double check something.
