I have admiration for both groups and think both structures have their place. I started with an elementary PTO falling apart in the wake of an embezzlement and learned how to structure one and put in controls from the ground up. In middle school, we have a PTO that barely exists, but does fill some critical gaps such as teacher appreciation. The high school organization is a PTA, again not nearly as "important" as the elementary version but still serving a vital role.

Sorry, but I've never bought the argument about the dues. (And I've belonged to a PTO with $5-$10 family dues, a PTO with zero dues, and a PTA with $10 individual dues.) Compared to other issues, where those few extra dollars go is way down the list of importance for me personally.

It is a an enormous amount of work to properly structure and run the business side of the PTO. To me, the real decision is whether you have the volunteers who are willing to invest that time and are confident you can find similar ones in the future (which is the really scarey part). If not, the PTA has all that structure and rules and training in place, as well as a myriad of resources for programs. If complete autonomy is more important, PTO is the way to go.

I think we've had discussions about policies and what folks did and didn't agree with. But I've never belonged to a diversely populated group where I personally agreed with every program and policy - and that includes church, professional organizations, social groups, and even my own administration as PTO president! It's never (or shouldn't be) about what one person believes. You have to figure out what's important to you, what you are willing to support, ignore, or work towards changing.

For me the PTO vs PTA is a decision that has to be made on a case by case basis depending on the factors for each.

Crew Chief definitely some valid points. Both groups are for benefiting the children. One of the main issues I had with PTA was the lobbying which by all means I am for if I know what they are lobbying for and their intentions. Which they don't always get out to there groups of parents.
I think the family dynamics have changed so much in the past say 5-10 years that all parents groups need to change a bit. Its so hard sometimes for parents to get inovlved in many ways and I think thats where we have to change to adapt to that.

Cindy

good points, CrewChief. You are right, PTA STILL serves a good purpose.. I hope those PTA supporters out there don't think I was unnecessarily giving their National structure a bad name. Of course those dues people pay - give back benefits, and PTA continues to be a strong organization that works for 100's of thousands of members.

I'd have to say that I'm an advocate for any group that increases parental involvement in schools and their children's education. I have to believe that the original intent of PTA founders was noble and that they continue to work to better education, community involvement and parent resources.

That said, I wonder if the tide started turning against them when they became so aggressive. The reported scare tactics used to retain groups and attract new ones are a bit over the top. "Lobbyist" has become a bad word in America but many do good work and give a bigger voice to issues that might otherwise never be heard. That takes money and dues pays for that. But I'd want to be sure what they are lobbying for or against before I give them any of my money!

Probably my biggest problem is the common statement that PTA is for All Children and PTO is for Our Children. There's a negative slant there that I don't appreciate. They're all our children. Anyone who reaches out to help, whether it be to one child or 100 or 1000 is making the world a better place and deserves respect and appreciation.

These negatives seem to me to make PTA look more like a desperate old dinosaur of an organization fighting extinction than an historically proud and dignified one. I think if they're to survive the 21st century, they need to work harder to recognize the needs of the modern parent group.

What I like about PTO Today is that it's open to all parents/groups. Anyone can log in and benefit from the information here for free. For an affordable amount, even more benefits are available to anyone. Perhaps PTA has similar resources available. I've just never looked into it because I feel I get plenty of helpful information right here.

I think you make some valid points RobinD. Mostly, though, I think you are most helpful by encouraging folks to educate themselves about the options and make decisions based on what's best for their group, school and community.

Two years ago when I became PTO pres I wondered the same thing. After researching and talking to overzealous PTAers wanting to recruit our group and coming here to PTO Today and other resources. I thought the same thing why would a group spend that kind of money for dues when it can be used for so much more in your own school.
I for one can say that me being in the PTO has made me learn so much more about my kids education. From the school, here on this website, etc.

I think as PTO groups we are all advocates for our children and I think this website lets us do just that. I think as PTO's (using that acronym for all groups involved) we do have an agenda. But our agenda is to become well informed and all work together to improve our schools and our kids education one group at a time!!!! And PTO TOday allows us all that to share resources for all of us.


Cindy

Ok.. I know this should be in the PTO vs PTA forum, but truth be told, it's not a very active forum. I wanted to share this with people who might actually read this before august of 2008.

Confessions of a seasoned PTO exec board member.. I had NO idea what the difference was between a PTO and a PTA.. until I came upon a thread entitled “ convert from PTA to PTO”. In it was the following link, posted by Tim:


www.ptotoday.com/ptovpta.html

I thought.. my family is off skiing in the rain.. I have some time to myself.. it's time to see why there is so much talk of PTO vs PTA.. and here I thought it just meant buying a different vowel, Vanna.........


I had NO clue there was that much of a difference, but truthfully, always wondered why people on these boards talked about how much their “ dues” were for members. All this time, silently, behind the protective cover of my monitor, I thought to myself, “ wow.. we have a hard time getting people to come to meetings, and THEY have people PAYING to come..:” hmmm what are we doing wrong? Well, now I know. I am doing something RIGHT. Our extra $800 a year in fundraising goes to programming and things needed for the enrichment of the school, not to a National Headquarters to pay salaries, and overhead expenses. Go Us!

. I think EVERYONE should take a minute and read that article ( if they don't know the differences). Once you click on the link, go to “ PTO vs PTA Cover Story”...

Here are my thoughts.. please come back and share yours!

**************






I just can't imagine WHY, in 2007 anyone would still belong to a national PTA unless they, too had a political agenda. It appears that most of the features and benefits for resources are now available to anyone on line, in magazines, and other "public resources". It seems like the significant dues go to pay the salaries of the PTA national HQ's, the business of running a business, and fund lobbyists... now whose to say the issues they lobby for are those which most benefit YOUR school??


I bet when the PTA's started 100 years ago, and even when they were thriving in the 60's and 70's, I can probably safely guess that 100% of these organizations were run by women, and of those women, probably 99%
of them did not work outside the home. The PTA was probably formed by MEN to help run the business of the schools, as they perceived that at home-women did not have the skills to run the business end of the organization.


Ok, before anyone jumps too high......... I am NOT man-bashing, nor am I implying at home moms didn't have skills ( I am an at home mom).. I am pointing out the roles that men and women played in our social structure even as late as the 1970's........

Having said all that.. we fast forward to 2007 where just as many women are educated as men, and have as many business skills as men. Our societal roles have shifted dramatically, and with the explosion of communication capabilities, I just don't see how PTA's still even EXIST? WHO pays several hundred in dues , and gets more out of it than, let's say- 2 new overhead projectors for the school????

I am interested to hear from PTA people.. what ARE the benefits in 2007???

Tim- as always.. thanks for the on-going education I receive here- tuition free!

robin