That's okay, if we didn't make mistakes, we wouldn't be human! I still don't know how to do a few things in here (like quoting and naming the person who quoted it...Where the heck is that button???)
and I have been here more times than I can count!
No worries! :cool:

I am so sorry for posting like this it was my first time and I jumped into a topic I am having personal experience with. Did not mean to single you out this way I thought I was replying to the thread. I had misplaced my member login and well came in as a guest.

Did email you and hope you can accept my public apology.

We are all here for 1 reason... the kids.

It certainly got our attention, didn't it? I couldn't stay away!

I admit I was a little confused at what was being refered to at first, but then I figured it out (me being so clever and all [img]tongue.gif[/img] ). While I understand <charl>'s reasoning, because it is in essence true, sometimes taking the most direct route is the worst thing to do--you know, that whole "the road to Hell" thing.

I definitely didn't understand MichelleB as condoning the behavior, nor allowing it to go unheeded. What I saw was someone giving advice on how to handle a VERY delicate situation. Reporting the person once you have all the facts, and have exhausted all other means to get the person to come clean is definitely on one's "to do" list. But to go in with both guns blazing before you know what's there could mean shooting yourself in the foot, to say the least (pun intended by the way). There could be a number of factors that we on the outside are not aware of. Who knows, maybe the "thief" is the victim of an abuser, who takes the money then beats the crap out of the "thief" and threatens worse if they say anything or act as though anything is out of the ordinary. Maybe the "thief", in a VERY misguided move, is protecting an actual thief who took the money for a drug/other problem, and is hoping to fix the problem before they get found out. See what I mean?

Sometimes people do stupid things (boy--am I living proof of that! [img]tongue.gif[/img] ). Sometimes the "stupid" thing is malicious and intenetionally cruel and deserves a severe punishment. Sometimes "stupid" is just bad judgement, and the wrong-doer needs to see that they'll be forgiven, and the punishment that follows is more sublime.

Whatever the case may be in Bertha's situation, WE don't know all the details, and because of that MichelleB wisely didn't advise to report the situation to the proper authorities, yet. The fallout from a situation like this can be tremendously horrific for EVERYONE involved, and I agree with MichelleB that it's best avoided if at all possible.

Mistakes happen. And while some are FAR worse than others, sometimes turning the other cheek and looking for a softer way to guide is the way to go.

Don't know why you had to start a new topic on this, let alone name it after me. I suppose I should be honored!

I never said to just let it slip by. If state gets involved and there has been a theft. Charges will be filed. Plus, they are a PTA and they will have insurance. But there is more to it.
Read the posting www.ptotoday.com/cgi-ptotoday/ultimatebb...f=15&t=000938#000015
Plus, if you want to single out one person on their reply, (which you could have done via e-mail if you were that concerned) perhaps you should also become a registered member....

[ 04-23-2004, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Michelle B ]

The reasons you state in your post are exactly the reasons you should contact the police. It is our obligation to our members and the children to be fiscally and legally responsible for any "embezzlement" or "theft" that have taken place. How would it look to the membership if you just let it slip by... bottom line is if the money has been taken then that is a big crime to steal from children and YOUR OWN children at that.

I hope there is board and fidelity insurance for the school involved. Lets hope the person in question just lost the money.