When I first saw the topic, I took a glance, but didn't actually read the thread because I thought I wouldn't have any pertinent information to add. I had some time this morning and did read it, and was surprised I do have something to add that might be of help.
I can't answer for sure about the whole membership thing, but logically it would seem that you would HAVE to be a member to OFFICIALLY disband. I mean, you can't have nonmembers voting on that issue. So if your membership wants to disband, they'd have to pay the dues and rejoin (as distasteful as that may be). If you're going to go the route Tim and JHB suggest with having just a few members joining to do the deed, make sure you have enough to make your quorum. I do think you have enough time to call the meeting etcetera, you'll just have to get hopping is all.
But are you ready to go as a PTO? All your ducks in a row legally etcetera? Incorporated, tax-exempt status OKed, bank account, insurance (especially the bonding for the officers), start-up costs in your account, officers in place--that sort of thing? If you are, great! If not, it seems to me that you'd need the PTA to keep things going in the school until you are.
I wholeheartedly disagree about the two groups not being able to coexist in the same school though--and I thought I'd be the last person on Earth to ever say that. I wholeheartedly disagree, because my son's school is doing it now, and I'm the president of the new group! It's a LONG story, but the catalyst involved a playground a bunch of us wanted to build but the state PTA has it's own regulations barring it. For a lot of reasons, we decided to start our own tax-exempt group to raise the funds (going through the school would have restricted us in a lot of ways in how we wanted to raise funds, and choose the equipment). We're not officialy the school's PTO, but for all intents and purposes we are one. Our first project, and the main thing we're focused on is still the playground, but some of the activities we're doing involve not so much raising funds, but getting the parents and kids more involved with our school, and looking at it as a place you WANT to be, even after school!
I'm not saying it was easy, nor without our share of issues to work through. It also takes a lot of patience, willingness to compromise and tongue-biting! However with a lot of diplomacy, and by taking things slowly and keeping the principal, former and new PTA pres (that was the turning point for us--the new PTA pres really sees the benefits of us being in the school with them), Superintendent and Board of Education involved and informed on our activities we come a LONG way in just five months. Once the playground is up, we're hoping to handle the "day-to-day" issues in the school (class moms, field trips, helping with whatever the school/teachers/principal need help with, fun activities like "fall flings etc."), and our PTA will focus more on in and after school programs, educational assemblies, motivating the parents to educate themselves and attend more Board of Education meetings to learn more about our school budget and where that money goes, curriculum issues--that sort of thing. We're no where near that yet, but the seed has been planted and we're taking it day by day.
I feel the confusion thing is only an issue if you have TWO groups that have power issues. We had no desire to rid the school of the PTA, because we all feel it has a very important role to play in making our school successful. It takes two to fight. The PTA board in place when we started this had REAL problems with us, but since we refused to get drawn into any sort of divisive fighting or anti-PTA leafleting, there wasn't any problem except for personal ones with that board (which were aggravating, but survivable).
The funny thing is that all our members are PTA members, and since we started this thing have not only been very busy with our group, but also have become even more involved with our PTA (having a new, emotionally stable pres helped a LOT with that too!). Keeping the principal and especially the superintendent and BOE up to date on every move we were making was crucial to our success. We wanted to show EVERYONE that we had nothing to hide, and no guerilla-type coups in the works.
Don't underestimate the intelligence of your parents. Sure, at first everyone thought we were just another committee of the PTA, and in fact they STILL get some of our mail in their mail slot! But as we go along and educate people, things have been fine. Some people are more involved with my group, some with the PTA. We're still going through growing pains, and still in the process of defining who, what and why we are. But there's no deadline in something like this, and we're having a good time and meeting some great people as we go along! I know there are the hardcore anti-PTA and anti-PTO people who are going to disagree with me. But I feel if you're willing to not only live and let live, but also help each other in being successful, we're the proof it can be done, and let's face it--the kids in my son's school are the winners. They have so many people willing to work towards a better place!
[ 05-30-2004, 01:07 AM: Message edited by: kmamom ]
