You are not alone - many groups struggle with the chicken-or-egg dilemma you are facing. There is no single correct answer to your question. The key is having people like yourself that are willing to get the process started.
You can definitely get things rolling before school starts. Many groups hold an informal organizational meeting to discuss the mission and other high level issues before jumping into bylaws and incorporation.
You might want to think about joining the National PTO Network (NPN)
Click here for NPN information
. We have a PTO Start-up Guide that walks you through many of the issues you will be facing. As a new school, we understand your financial position and we do our best to accomodate you.
I am always available to answer any more questions you might have. You can reach me at 800-644-3561 x209
Good Luck!
- Mike
[ 01-24-2005, 08:15 PM: Message edited by: Mike Schoen ]
In Texas, the State requires only 3 Directors to be named in the Articles of Incorporation. So me (a parent), the principal, and the parent support specialist put our names on the incorporation papers. Then we asked around for volunteers to form a committee to write bylaws and our mission statement. Once the bylaws were approved by the committee, we put in a slate for nominees. We started raising funds almost immediately, by asking people to sign up as members and pay dues and letting them know what was going on - that is how we paid for our incorporation fees. This isn't typical, though - there are usually at least a few more people behind starting the group.
I would start by finding out what your state requires for incorporation. Once you have your incorporation papers, you can open a business bank account without opening it in an individual's name. And you will be able to get your tax ID # as soon as you are incorporated, too. That's how it worked for me in Texas, anyway... Good Luck!!
We have a new middle school that will be opening in August. We need to start a PTO from scratch. We know that we need to get going with the tax paperwork, work on bylaws, etc... We have been involved with the PTO at our elementary for years.
Our question really involves the logistics of getting started. You need a board but need members to vote in a board. You need money to operate but need approval to spend/fundraise the money. What order do you do these things in? And can you actually start things rolling before school starts?
We are in the process of contacting the principal so we can start having meetings with him so we know what direction we are going. But it is really overwhelming to think about all of the options and questions. I guess we need to start out small but I don't think most of us know how to do that.
ANY comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.
