This is a fairly neutral article from Great Schools
www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/ca/29/parentPTA

The faqs under the PTO vs PTA on this website are a bit biased and really sways toward painting PTA in a bad light for the most part. Of course, this is the PTO today website so why wouldn't you expect it to be that way.
If you want to know more about PTA go to www.pta.org/aboutpta/index.asp to start.
Then you draw from both positions and see what the differences are. (I am very proud to be a part of the PTA but I don't have a problem with PTOs either.)
Both are parents doing great things for their children and the answer is different depending on who you ask and there are compelling answers on both sides.
I would suggest you read on both and make your own decisions as to how they are different.

VP's job duties can be different and if the answer isn't in your bylaws, then mum is right. Good thing to do. Each school has different responsiblities and activities and I have several units whose VPs have different jobs.

PTA bylaws state that people aren't supposed to get money from their PTA (in lamans terms) but if your business has a fundraising opportunity that is good for your group, there isn't any reason why you couldn't use the fundraiser. However, if your fundraising company gives 25% and another offers 50% and you choose the company that does 25% because it's the PTA members. That would be wrong.

Your PTA/PTO question is addressed in the FAQs under "PTO basics" in the frame at left; that's the best place to start.

Responsibilities of the VP should be in your bylaws. Every organization does it differently; for example, in ours, the 1st VP is responsible for programs; the 2nd VP is responsible for fundraising. Some groups have one VP, some have several. If you don't have some skeletal description in your bylaws, might be a good project for you to take on--writing job descriptions!

I don't think I understand your third question. Do you mean if a parent owns a fundraising company, is it against some kind of rule for the school/parent group to use that company for its fundraising? If so, I'd say generally not, but I'd also make sure that the terms of the agreement are at least as favorable to the school as the competition.

Hi, I am new here & new to being involved with the Parent-teacher groups. Can someone explain to me or direct me to find out exactly what the different between the 2 are. I've seen school's my "town" have both.

Also where is the best place to find out what the "rules" are or suppose to be for a elected position. I will be Vice-Pres. for next year & I am clueless.

Also if you have a business that does fundraiser's is it against the PTO/A by-laws to do one as a group?