Here's the letter that went out over the summer, before the school year began. Keep in mind that this was the third year we have done this and many parents already knew about our policy. See below:
"PTO In Lieu of Fundraising (ILF) fee policy
The In Lieu of Fundraising (ILF) fee is designed to eliminate the burden of intensive fundraising throughout the school year while still providing the funds necessary to sustain the budgeted PTO programs and activities.
It is the policy of (school) PTO to collect ILF fees from each school family each school year. Any unpaid ILF fees for any given school year will be carried over to the next school year. If a family does not fulfill their ILF fee obligations, including the obligations of the previous school year, by September 15, 2006 the student will not be permitted to participate in first semester field trips. If there are any unpaid balances after February 1, 2007 the student will not be permitted to participate in second semester field trips.
The PTO is a key communicator between school and home. The PTO plans and implements programs which enhance the educational experience of students, faculty and staff, and funds events that builds community. Some of the events and programs supported by PTO funding include:
• Class field trips
• Grandparents Day activities
• Playground maintenance
• Technology support
• Website hosting
• Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week events
• Teacher of the Month recognition/Christmas gifts to teachers
• After concert receptions
• End of year picnics
The ILF fee remains at $70 per family for the 2006-2007 school year. In our ten month school year this is only $7 per month to support our quality programs and events. Families may choose to make the full payment by September 15, 2006 or two separate payments of $35 each; the first payment due by September 15, 2006 and the second payment due by February 1, 2007. Families that would like to make alternative arrangements to pay their ILF Fee may contact the school principal at *****or the PTO treasurer ****** by September 8, 2006.
Your family’s ILF bill with an attached envelope for payment will be sent home with your child the first week of school. Thank you for fulfilling your financial obligations in support of our students and our school."
We do have some families that do not fullfill the obligations, though most parents do in fact pay the fee. Most are grateful that their children do not have to peddle wares in the neighborhood, or bug family members or co-workers to buy things that they do not necessarily need. To get the same amount of money collected, most families would need to sell twice the $70/family amount to get the profit needed to sustain the programs.
The key to making this successful is to let parents know about this fee upfront as well as what exactly the fee will be paying. You also have to be ready to follow through on the "no field trip" consequence, or the word gets out that you don't really mean it. We are very accomodating to parents that feel they cannot afford the fee, and all we ask is that they send us a letter stating this fact and we try to work with them in making at least a percentage of the payment. The only officers of the board that know the names of the nonpayers are the treasurer and the principal. We keep that very clear and honor that 100%. Believe me, it's better not to know if you don't need to!
Sue
