At a recent conference, I learned that in a tragedy occurred in a neighboring state and subsequent parent and PTA involvement, led to mandatory mechanical arms on school buses. This device had been available for $250 or so, but was recommended, not required.
I like to know that a national group looks out for all children, not just the ones from my school. It is worth my $3.00 to national and state dues.
I also have a parent wh is on council on my PTA board that is giving me a hrad time. But I have the majority wanting to switch. Many don't care.
Hang in there. We are doing what is best for the kids! Independent is the way to go.
Tim,
Thanks! I guess I have a lot of work ahead of me. My number one thing is that I want the money to stay in our school and I want to be able to do fundraiser when we want to and not worry about when we spend it. The school we went to last year is just down the road and that was a PTO so I may call the President and ask her some questions or get her to speak at our next meeting. We have a parent that is on the PTA council so I know that I will get a hard time from her. I am going to really have to know what I am doing and saying.
RE: Insurance. Depends on the state. Most states, the PTA dues don't buy you insurance, but they get you access to insurance at a lower rate, so there's some gain there.
RE: other benefits, you'll get a lot of different opinions on that. To me it's less about what PTA offers and more about what your group uses and what your group's goals are. There may be tons of benefits offered by the PTA, but if they don't fit your group....
I've used this analogy before: I used to be a AAA member. I drove a clunker car, so the towing thing was huge for me. I traveled by car a lot, so the free TripTik maps were really nice. And I used their discouts on a lot of motel stays. It was a great fit for me.
But now I drive a newer car, I don't drive as much (and I can get free driving maps in two seconds on mapquest.com), and I get corporate deal rates on hotels (because I travel a lot more often).... so i canceled my AAA.
Doesn't mean AAA is bad ... or that I somehow now dislike AAA.... just means I'd be crazy in my particular situation to keep paying AAA. That said, AAA still has lots of happy members who feel they're getting a good deal.
So long story short, I think it's all about what resources your group uses and what your goals are. 75% or so of groups across the country are now independent, so you're not alone in what you're thinking.
We are in Michigan. I am definitely going to investigate the amount of money we turn over a little bit more. Do you know if the money we turn over gives us any type of insurance coverage or anything? I am basically wondering if the only thing that we get from being PTA members is training and stuff like that or if there are other benefits.
