For $10, our members get the right to vote on PTO matters, plus one school directory that the PTO produces. About 30% of the dues money we collect pays for the directory, the rest is operating funds. We raised our dues this year from $6 to $10. So far, we haven't heard any flack, but I suppose it's still early...the increase was approved by the PTO membership last spring.

Our big fundraiser covers the rest of the PTO operating budget, which is presented to the members and approved at our first meeting. It's pretty easy to explain all the places the money goes when you distribute the budget (ex: assemblies, classroom supplies, field trip buses, educational material,staff appreciation, etc.) Our PTO supplies account for less than 4% of our total expense budget. The rest goes directly to the kids in one way or another.

We consider our membership dues a fundraiser. Including that one we have only one more per year. When we are asked the question where does our dues go to...I show them our approved budget for the year and say that the dues contribute to everything we do for the year:)

WE are having our first PTO meeting soon...and I know one of the first questions will be "What does my $10 dues cover?"...What is the best way to breakdown this amount without being trivial..like well we need envelopes, paper clips, tape, etc.??