Thanks for the responses. I am content leaving it the way we have it w/no dues. I am from a rural area & I think that charging dues will discourage rather than encourage participation.
We have increased our dues to $2.50 per person from $2.00 per person last year. The money that is collected is given back to the homeroom teacher for class supplies.
Our treasurer takes care of all of this. I think it's a great incentive for involvement.
we have no dues for anyone at all, it was very important when our group was form that no dues be required and that we try to keep every event at no cost or low cost. So far we have never charged for anything, we would rather drop something than know that some families just can't afford it.
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
I agree with Tim, but my opinion was shot down. People don't like change. I already ruffled enought feathers by stating as a new pres. we should not charge anyone. So, now that we are charging 5.oo pper family. I am wondering do you charge teachers? I say NO, they pay enough money,
what does anyone else do?
Hi Rook (love the name; can't believe it wasn't taken) --
No, you certainly don't have to charge/collect dues. As an independent PTO, that's a decision that's up to your group.
As far as "should" or "should not", I'm a fan of not charging dues. I think it's easier to build community and give off the welcoming message by using a "all parents and caregivers of XYZ students are members of our PTO" type approach. It's also frustrating to me when so much time/energy in the all-important first few weeks of school is spent on selling memberships, when that key time could be better spent building community and growing involvement.
There's a good case made by several around these parts for the other side (nutshell: dues is a nice tool for clearly cementing the connection between home and school and the parent group). It's a fair point.
But you guys are free to make your own call. In my experience, PTOs split about 50-50 on the dues/no-dues front.
I am a new PTO Pres. I keep reading postings about member dues. I have been attending PTO mtgs for the past 2 years & to my knowledge our PTO has never collected dues. Is this something that all PTO's are doing (we should be doing?)??
