Right. I was only making a point about quorum. Many folks have the mistaken belief that a 2/3 vote for disbanding means 2/3 vote of all members. It's actually a 2/3 vote of members in attendance at the meeting, provided a quorum (meaning: enough members, often 10 or 15) is present. Same way as the national PTA operates.

Tim

For example, National PTA -- a group with almost 6 million members -- typically makes its big decisions (bylaws changes, dues increases, elections) with fewer than 800 members voting at its national convention. In a close vote, that means that 400 or 600 "yeas" (out of 6 million members) can carry the day.

FUNNY;
In Washington, D.C. only 535 "members" vote on many more important issues, (out of @240 million citizens)

We're in the middle of making the switch as we speak. Our pricipal doesn't want us to wait until our PTA membership expires. So to make him happy we'll be having our vote 2 days before it does. Everything is already in place, all letters have gone out. Now I'm justing sitting back and waiting for the other shoe to drop! Nothing ever goes this smooth for me.

Since we have 100% teacher participation, it's important to me to get all the teachers to back me on this. I've sent them a special letter explaining in detail why we want to make the switch. As per our principal they're backing me 100% and we'll have our vote right after school so they will all come down and vote. I set up the meeting so PTA can have there say on a different day altogether.

They don't like this but I really don't care.They want the vote the same night. I planned it so we have the vote when it's convenient for the teachers. I only need 14 for a quorum and I'll have 40 teachers there in favor of the switch, plus whatever parents show up. Looks like I win!

Exactly! i have been on both PTo and PTA Boards and have started up a PTO at one of our Elelmentary Schools here in the area. IT just shocks me to what length the PTA will go to scare people into going or staying with thiere association. While I do believe that PTA has its place in some schools, our ditrict is concidered a POOR District, so I strongly believe that all the money we collect should be used in our schools and not for forwarded to state and national. You have been given some great advise, the most important thing to remember is that if its not stated in the By-laws then it does not have to be done. Bylaws are a way of protecting the membership, they are not meant to be reinterpreted by higher authority. Grey areas always need to be spelled out on paper, not by word of mouth. Also as far as "membership expiration" You are correct, your By-laws probably state something to the effect of "Organizations whose national and state portions of dues are not paid by March 15th of each year shall be deopped from the state roster." Another area to be careful in is your funds that have been fundraised through the year, That is another grey area many PTA's are hit with. Maybe others on the site can help with ways that they got around having thier funds siezed Good Luck and stay tuned here this site was and is always my first place to come for help!!!!!

I recently posted a similar thread. I was questioning the "membership". Our PTA membership cards have expiration dates. What happens when the membership expires? Then there are no members. What if you don't do a membership drive for PTA? If no one is a member, then what?

I guess the roadblock was thatI have listened to the current president (I will be installed this month), who is very anti-PTA to the point of arguments. She and our principal were told at a council meeting that we could not do a ballot vote. I said to them that if it wasn't written in the by-laws, that it doesn't stand. I have been able to be more objective. I feel that our school would do just fine without the PTA because we do not use any of the rescources that they offer. Our President claims that the training that was supposed to have taken place didn't and that there are no rescources available. When I asked point blank if they asked for anything, she tells me that they have never asked because we are in no need of anything. If that is the case, then indeed, we should not belong to the PTA and pay the dues. We still don't have our approved by-laws that were submitted in October for their biannual approval. I have even called the district president to request them and that was about 3 weeks ago. They have not been sent to date.