When working with schools similar in size as yours, it has been my experience that the school wlll have a fundraising committee who reports back to one of the officers, such as a VP of Fundraising. This person usually turns over the monies to the treasurer. In your case, seems as though time is of the essence. So, I would contact a few parents who consistently support your activities and try to recruit them as volunteers to ease your burden.
I've always thought that taking the money home was a bad idea. If money comes up missing, an order is short, etc... Not that anyone counting would take it, it's just that it will be more suspect... I'm saying it badly, but think about what I mean.
If you do decide to take it home, make sure at least two people pick it up from the school, at least two people are in the room counting at all times and that two people take it to the bank the same day. You do not want the money to stay overnight in your home. Not only does it not look good, but you could be talking $10K or $20K in cash IN YOUR HOME.
My advice? Don't take chances. Find a way to count the money at school. If there are 3 officers, maybe take turns entertaining each other's children while the other two count... after an hour, switch... be creative, but be safe when it comes to the money.
We count fundraisers in the cafeteria before lunch time in the morning on the day a fundraiser ends. The Mom's that have pre-school kids bring them with a diaper bag and toys. Nice big tables so the paperwork can be spread out. If you don't have a room available, I guess someone's house could work. I've just always liked using the school because It's conveinent. We all generally drive our kids in that day to school, then start work. The chair usually counts orders that float in after the due date by herself and just adds it to the tally. BTW, you said you have "3 that work"....you all work, just some of you get paid!
We have scheduled not only our 1st PTO fundraiser but a cookie dough fundraiser. At this writing, we have no volunteers, except the officers. Three work and two of us have children at home. We are a school of 800 children so this is a big undertaking. I realize the morning money turn in would be the optimium time for us to count the funds. As of now, our teachers will be counting the children's money as it is turned in. Not a good idea, but. I don't mind counting money but as a one family income I don't want to feel obligated to hire a sitter everytime we need to count money. Question. Would it be proper for those of us who can to meet at an officers house where are children can play, while we count money? What is an alternative to our teachers doing the morning count? Any other advice would be appreciated.
