I want to thank everyone for all the replies it helped me out so much. This was a tough one and I'm sure I'll have more to come but I think we finally settled it. The banquet will be at our district's senior high school for free, and all the food will be at a discounted price thanks to a local guy donating his time and business. And all the decorations are used things that were left over from Senior high post proms. So all and all I think everyone is happy and it just took a little talking on my part. Thanks Again.
Christina

I suggest you send a flyer hoe ot school announcing that there will be a discussion on the 6th grade banquet and a vote on location, any budget amendments etc. bring it to membership let them decide. In our unit we state in our policies and procedures that each committee must have at least 3 people who are active in the decison making process of that committee. If they do not they must come to the board, and we will apint people from the board to become members and help woth the process. Then the Exec Board must approve the RECOMMENDATION of the committee. If they approve of it we bring it to membership for a vote letting them know that the Exec board supports this recomendation. If the board does nto approve of it we also state that for the records and to membership also. Also we have it in writing and given to each chairperson that if they exceed their budget amount without Executive Board and memberships approval they personally may be held responsible for the difference.
BRING IT TO MEMBERSHIP_ BUT INFORM MEMBERSHIP BEFORE HAND OF THE DISUSION THIS WAY EVERYONE WHO HAS A THOUGH ON THE SUBJECT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD.

I suggest you send a flyer hoe ot school announcing that there will be a discussion on the 6th grade banquet and a vote on location, any budget amendments etc. bring it to membership let them decide. In our unit we state in our policies and procedures that each committee must have at least 3 people who are active in the decison making process of that committee. If they do not they must come to the board, and we will apint people from the board to become members and help woth the process. Then the Exec Board must approve the RECOMMENDATION of the committee. If they approve of it we bring it to membership for a vote letting them know that the Exec board supports this recomendation. If the board does nto approve of it we also state that for the records and to membership also. Also we have it in writing and given to each chairperson that if they exceed their budget amount without Executive Board and memberships approval they personally may be held responsible for the difference.
BRING IT TO MEMBERSHIP_ BUT INFORM MEMBERSHIP BEFORE HAND OF THE DISUSION THIS WAY EVERYONE WHO HAS A THOUGH ON THE SUBJECT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD.

In regards to your 6th grade banquet, do you budget a certain amount for it at the beginning of the year? We are a k-6 school, and every year we have a 6th grade party. The last two years, we have held it in the gym. Last year, we had a "Luau" theme. We bought the kids leis, and had games and decorations with the Luau theme. We also served pizza, soda and chips in the cafeteria. We also purchased t-shirts for the kids that had everyone's name on it. We had a D.J. that played for three hours. Out of 100 6th graders, 89 came. They all had a great time and our budget was $1200. The D.J. was $200, the shirts were $5.50 each and one of our parents put together a CD for the kids with pictures from Kindergarten through 6th grade. The cd's cost $1.00 each. The other money was spent on food, soda, chips, decorations and small prizes for the games. I don't know if you can use your gym, but it might be a thought. Good Luck.
PTA Pres

Assuming you have a good relationship with the principal, I would get them into the loop ASAP. You may find that working with the co-chair, you are able to get everything resolved nicely. But if you aren't, you really need the support of the principal, and they will appreciate knowing of the problem earlier.

A meeting between you, the co-chairs, and the principal might be a real good way to handle it. The principal will be in an excellent position to speak about the economic realities of the school population without having to breach any confidentialities. Since the free lunch is supposed to just be between the family and the school, the co-chair may not realize how many families use it. Or, maybe there aren't really so many families as you think. The principal can authoritatively say "XX-percent of our families recieve discounted or free lunches."

One last thought...any chance the place she wants to hold it will grant you some price concessions? If they can be convinced to come down off their banquet card for the sake of the kids, maybe this is still doable.

I guess I should have worded that better LOL The money that is raised from the tickets will go toward the banquet. And the tickets are calendar tickets that have numbers for the daily lottery. I think it is way to much. Our principal isn't involved at all. She has a committee of 15 volunteers that signed up out of 65 6th graders. Last year the committee started in October setting off a strip ticket ( $1 and has 5 numbers on it)for 6 months they did this and they sold tickets on a Valentine Getaway Basket and also the PTO members donated Valentine stuff and they made up cute baskets and sold chances on them at the school. And I think they may have had a small Avon party ??? but when I told the lady what they did last year she said she would rather do all her fundraising at one time and if the parents didn't want to sell the tickets then they would be asked to donate $45. I'm just at a loss with this lady! Half the kids at our school get a free lunch!!!!! I just know they will not sell these tickets and I think every child should be able to attend the 6th grade banquet. I'm going to call and chat with the co - chair tomorrow and see if I can get any where with her. Our FIRST Fall Festival is this Saturday and I'm stressed enough about that and this lady is driving me crazy. I called her twice this week and both time she cut me off nicely! and said she was busy with her 18 month old baby ( I have a baby the same age I understand but I make time) she would get back to me and I still have not heard from her. I'm starting to feel like I may have to bring the principal in on this and I don't want to hurt her feelings.