PTO monies go to the teacher gifts, to the new baby gift, the everything sent to anyone! Why not use 10 for a leaving member, who has dedicated HOURS to the school???
I know our retiring President has spent hundreds of hours beyond what some feel she should have as well as hundreds of dollars of her own money or reorganizing, and little things here and there!
Talk to your Treasurer!!! I am sure you can come up with some money that was left over to get something nice!!!
How about having a book in the library dedicated to them for their many hours of volunteer service. The library already has the books. You just need to create a "book plate" for the inside of the book.
hmmm;132168 wrote: I may view this differently because our school of just of 300 students feels blessed to raise a couple of thousand dollars at the fall festival (Our biggest fundraiser of the year). As a parent volunteer, I can't imagine someone expecting PTO funds to be used to provide a thank you gift. If a person is expecting praises and gifts, I would say they are doing it for the wrong reason. Not to say people shouldn't be recognized, but seems like a Thank You card and verbal thank you would be sufficient. I can't see how using PTO funds for these gifts could be justified. Also seems like it could foster hurt feelings if someone feels like they deserve a gift and doesn't receive it. Full time job right there. I would at least want it to be brought up at a general meeting for a vote to make sure parents approved such disbursements from the PTO fund.
I think your point is valid, and certainly a common sentiment. For schools that have larger budgets, it is much easier. We only have a $25K budget, ( many have $50-75K or more) and we do budget fo volunteer appreciation, as we do teacher appreciation. Many of us who do volunteer spend $100's of our own money on PTO sponsored events every year, so our board doesn't have a problem with small appreciation gifts. We do not buy gifts for the " occasional" volunteer. We limit to Board and chairpeople.
I may view this differently because our school of just of 300 students feels blessed to raise a couple of thousand dollars at the fall festival (Our biggest fundraiser of the year). As a parent volunteer, I can't imagine someone expecting PTO funds to be used to provide a thank you gift. If a person is expecting praises and gifts, I would say they are doing it for the wrong reason. Not to say people shouldn't be recognized, but seems like a Thank You card and verbal thank you would be sufficient. I can't see how using PTO funds for these gifts could be justified. Also seems like it could foster hurt feelings if someone feels like they deserve a gift and doesn't receive it. Full time job right there. I would at least want it to be brought up at a general meeting for a vote to make sure parents approved such disbursements from the PTO fund.
In the past our PTO has given plants to all of our coordinators we switched to coffee travel mugs, which cost a little more but is appreciated much more. We haven't done anything other than public "thank yous" for outgoing officers. This year we have 5 teachers retiring so we are getting them plaques and gift certificates for a local bookstore. Parents are generous when it comes to people who have dedicated years of service to our children but when it comes to spending money on fellow parents, often themselves, they want to do something to foster involvement but not nearly as much $50/staff member versus $4/parent volunteer. They still get acknowledged for their contribution but it isn't seen as excessive.
Well we made a "New Exec" decision to do a bouquet of flowers and a gift certificate! WE ARE using PTO money. As the only person on the new board is the Treasurer, so I talked to her... and she loved the idea!
