Bertha--I have the pleasure of knowing you on a personal level, and I feel so badly for you. This should not have happened to you--you're a good person, always working hard and are always willing to lend a helping hand. That said, I don't know who the current VP is, and I admittedly don't want to know!
My first instinct is to say, "Call the cops." But let's face it--doing that is hard to do--especially if the person isn't evil (misguided or foolish maybe), and without knowing all the facts, maybe it isn't the VP that's the real problem, but someone else that person is protecting. And like Michelle said--the possible fallout could be REALLY bad for the school. Do you know any of this person's friends (if they have any?)--ones that could talk to them if they're feeling overwhelmed and too embarrassed to admit wrong doing? Someone who could explain to them that people aren't out to ruin them, they just want to figure out a way to pay the vendors?
I'm with Michelle--I'd call in the State Board if all else fails--it will definitely shield you guys from the unpleasantness that's sure to follow if it doesn't work out.
Don't worry about them signing up for anything in our group that would involve them handling money--we've pretty much nailed down all the committees and events for the next 15 months or so, and now that I've had a warning, I'll be sure to watch out for Trojan Horses!
This is not good for you or your group and you want to try everything you can before you take legal action to avoid the reputation your PTA will get. (Even if it's one person "XYZ PTA Vice President, arrested for embezellment"- I've seen it kill a group, members won't join when they hear about it, lots of gossip even years after the fact)
You and another board member need to go to her house and attempt to collect the money. If that doesn't work, then you need to call the State office. They will take over from there and will likely be the ones to press charges if it can't be resolved. It will keep you and your other board members out of the nastiness that this causes also. Your there to help your children not to police this woman on the morals of stealing from the children.
You definitely need to develop a policy on money handling regardless of whether you get the money or not. And if you do get the money, don't appoint her as a chair to any activity that requires money handling from this point on.
I agree with melloweer, I definitely smell something and it ain't fish! [img]smile.gif[/img]
I tried calling her again tonight, she's avoiding me!I really don't know how much money she has because she hasn't (won't) give us the bill so we can pay the company. She still hasn't finished the paperwork on a fundraiser that we did back in November. That company also wants to be paid, but without the paperwork we can't pay them. We did the kids stuff coupon books and its based on what was sold not what was given away, so without the paperwork even the company can't tell me what we owe!The company also gave us 46 free books to give to the teachers and whatever family sells 5 or more books. She gave away all the books but no families sold more than 5 and we only have 17 teachers! I did ask, once when I finally got her on the phone, what happened to the other books but she won't give me an answer.
I really hope she doesn't sign up for anything over by you KMA!
By the way, as our VP, she never comes to meetings shes always busy or something came up. She's been to only 1 meeting all year. I can't wait for this year to end (after I get the money of course)!
maybe not legal action but you could scare her enough hopefully by calling the cops and have a cop go with you to the house. I hope she's not holding checks from parents as part of the money. Girl it smells like shes using the money..not to sound bad but I can smell it clear in Indiana!
GEE.... THANKS! I can hardly wait! [img]tongue.gif[/img] Don't tell me who it is--I want it to be a surprise!
Seven weeks?! She must be pretty creative to come up with so many excuses. Or is it just avoidance at this point (which is kinda hard to do if she's the first VP)? I can understand not wanting to take legal action, but are we talking a lot of money here? Have you or anyone else tried talking to her about this?
Well, now that I've had the warning I'll have to prime up the hose, though I've been thinking about getting a dog, maybe I'll just go a little bigger than I'd originally planned.....
seven weeks later and countless phone calls, we still don't have the money. Here's the part I left out, I am the President and she is our 1st VP & she's in charge of fundraising. Our Treasurer has also had no luck with her. We looked back at this years deposits, the only time we received cash from a fundraiser is when either myself or the treasurer are there to collect the money and then it makes it to the bank the next day.
I think the stun gun would work best for now. But I have to warn KMA- she's coming on over to your school next year so you better get the rubber hose ready, you'll be needing it!!!
