We have an equipment rental form that needs to be filled out. Item borrowed, date out, date in, condition, what it's used for, etc., and the principal approve it. Example: Our brownie troop borrowed our huge water coolers for camp, The junior high borrowed our popcorn machine for a movie night. It all has to be approved and returned in I think 4 days.
The angry parent/thief is so out of line. I don't think you need to make an amendment to by-laws because it seems pretty common sensical that people shouldn't take things that don't belong to them. But if that's going to make it easier for you, I'd definitely do it. (My suggestion for the amendment: "Parents are not allowed to take the popcorn or snow cone machines to use them to raise money for their child to become homecoming queen". just kidding.)
I would just say no to anything that is not school related. For example, our PTO owns a popcorn machine and we would let them use the popcorn machine at the school play, which technically is not a PTO event, but IS a school event.
Thanks to all that responded! We feel very confident now to take a harder stand on this problem. A little background....for many years the former principal basically allowed the PTO to do whatever and we did not have a large group of parents involved to question this practice. Therefore the ones running PTO did as they pleased. One of the officers from last year's board is the one who gave this member (actually she was a member last year and currently is NOT a member of this years PTO she is just a parent)permission to use the equipment. This year we have a new principal and a new board with new ideas on how PTO should operate. Gonna be a long year but hopefully we can make our PTO better!
We still face the question about making this new policy so that it can "legally" be enforced. Any ideas?
I guess you could have a resolution about this, but I'm just flabbergasted that you would need to. I mean, how could anyone think you could just walk off with the PTO's property and use it yourself? Can you imagine a scrapbooker walking off with a school's diecut machine and dies so she could use them for her weekend crop? What you're saying is happening isn't any different. Sheesh.
I would just say no due to potential liability issues (especially with potential burns from the popcorn machine). But, if the equipment isn't really used that much by the PTO, and you want to help her (or anyone else) out, get a liability waiver (probably won't stand up, but worth a try), a deposit equal to the lower of the replacement cost or your property insurance deductible, and charge a rental fee. At least doing that, you're protecting yourself and making a little money. The rental fee is reasonable to ask for because as anyone uses any of your equipment, they are further depreciating its value/hastening its replacement.
You didn't state how she had access to the equipment, but I'd sure as heck change that process.
This is equip. that was bought for the SCHOOL only. If she wants to use this type of equip. for things that don't involve the betterment of the school, she needs to find a rental place and pay for that out of her own pocket.
