Maybe an update in the bylaws is needed to clarify who can and who cannot hold a position for the PTO out there that do not charge a membership. If you are saying that the only way to become a member is that you must have a child regitered in the school, maybe it shhould read to be a member of the PTO you must be the legal guardian of a child who is registered in the school. think about it a relative already has expressed interest in getting in and is turnd away---i'm not a lawyer, but there could be a future problem here if it is not spelled out more clearly...also a question aree teachers, staff and school district administration allowed to be members of the PTo without having a child enrolled in the school?

I am the president of our PTO and my sister wanted to be on the board since she heard so much of me saying "we can never get anyone to be on the board" then she volunteered. I told her that I appreciated it but I don't think it was right due to her being my sister but then she stated I have nephews & nieces that go there so why can't I help. I told her due to probably people would start to talk and plus can you imagine what would be said. Those are the parents that should serve on the board the talkers. My sister was a little upset but there was nothing in our by-laws stating about relatives being on board. I just didn't feel like opening a can of worms.

I certainly didn't mean to offend any PTO/PTA members who are involved in schools their children do not attend. We can hardly attract parents to our meetings, can't imagine other people showing up. I'm pretty sure our by laws state that to hold an office you must have a child in one of our schools. Every parent/guardian is automatically a member, only members vote. Anyone can attend a meeting, but wouldn't be able to vote unless you have a child in the school.

But to get this thread back to the original question...

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>How many of you have officers that are NOT on School Staff OR a parent/guardian of a student? <hr></blockquote>

One of our requirements of an officer is that they be a member. However, anybody can pay the dues and join. When the nominating committee dispaired of finding a candidate for president, it was pointed out that I could still pay the dues and serve another term, even if my kid was in another school.

Having said that, I think it is VERYimportant to ask questions of somebody in this situation. There reasons may well be very much above board, and their intentions only the most nobel. Or maybe not.

If it is somebody in the neighborhood, especially somebody with kids recently out of the school or soon to be in the school, that's not too suspicious. Somebody with a clear and obvious reason to be interested in the school is probably ok.

But if it is somebody coming from out of the area, though certainly they may have a very good sounding excuse for their interest? Well, that throws great big giant red flags in the air. A couple years ago we had a speaker associated with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He shared a bit about one case he was involved with, involving a scoutmaster who drove over an hour to get to troop meetings, and who turned out to be a pedophile.

So, while our bylaws may allow for such an officer, I must say that I would be asking a lot of questions of such a person.

Why would someone want to be involved in a PTA/PTO with no child in the school??????
I can't believe someone would even ask that question....But i hear it all the time...
I was nown as the mom who is in the PTA but has nokids in the school for all those years, ans I am still referred to it in the other PTA's Schools.
I becameinvolved in the elementary level 2 yrs prior to my 1st child entering the school for 3 reasons...1) I always wanted to be involved in my child's education...2)I felt i had some good ideas on improving the school system and getting parents involved in their child's education...3) BECAUSE I CARE FOR ALL CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCTION AND WELFARE...

My oldest child is in 2nd grade and will not be in the middle school for another 3 yrs..Guess what i am already involved in that PTA also.. Also the Junior High and H.S. PTA's know who i am also...I want to be involved, and I like the fact that the teachers and administrators also know and can expect me to be involved..

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by julier:
Why would someone who did't have a child in the schoool WANT to be on the board?<hr></blockquote>

I'm on the board of an elementary PTA that my oldest son left last year and my 2 younger ones don't enter until 2003. Like the other Susie, PTA is very important to me, as is staying involved for ALL children. My nephews go to this elementary and my sister-in-law who works full time appreciates that I can be involved at times when she isn't able to.
This is one area where PTA and most PTO's differ. Most (not all) of the O's I've noticed don't charge membership fees, but you must be connected with the school(parent, guardian, staff) to be a member. In A's, anyone can join any unit. I am a member of 2 different units in 2 different schools. There is a senior citizen housing complex next door to the elementary school, and a few of the residents have joined our PTA and are a TREMENDOUS asset to our organization.

I take exception to anyone questioning why I volunteer- even when there seems to be nothing in it for me. Maybe I do it for selfish reasons, because I enjoy it, but at least I do it!

Suzi