Whoa, is this a great topic! I'm the new prez this coming year. Our VP's duty is to "coordinate" fundraisers, which she is sees as deciding and controling every aspect of them. I feel the ex board should make the decision and then the VP carries out her duties.
As far as our catalog fundraisers, one person, a board member, is appointed to find a few options if possible and submit them to the group for approval. Our meetings are open to all and usually we don't have anyone other than members come. Last year our Pres wanted us to do a fundraiser with her company and no one was comfortable with that, so we didn't. If we decide to do a craft night or something that we are more likely to lose money on, this is something that is brought up and decided at a meeting and voted on. We actually considered adding soemthing to our bylaws to restrict doing fundraisers from companies of parents because it could be too messy.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
I always brought up fundraisers before the PTO. We do not sell things so that makes things differnt. When I decided to do Santa Shop I talked it over with my board. They agreed so I took it before the general members, they voted as long as the company chosen had no reps (that had been a problem years before and that is why they did not continue to do Holiday Shops). A committee was formed to sort through companies and see what worked best for us. It was again took before the general memebers for approval.
I think you did the right thing by letting the members decide. If the officers decide everything why would people bother going to meetings? Little things I understand but something such as a fundraiser is a big thing. I hate that your chairperson got her feelings hurt, but if another company could give you a better offer or the members saw it as a conflict and think they made the best choice. If she is uncomfortable with her duties maybe you can find her something else to do that is equally as helpful.
In your PTO's do just the officers vote on what to have for a fundraiser or do you have a vote with the members also?
The person who we have chairing(not an officer) this year wanted us to have her company as the fundraiser. Which the board voted against and she was not happy. This is my first year as pres and this chair person is a person who is going to be a "little" difficult about everything.
Just wanted to see what other PTO's do about this.
Cindy
Cindy<br />
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<br>"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."
