Another example: our bylaws state that the Executive Board has the explicit responsibility to vote to set dues, remove a non-performing officer, appoint someone to fill an officer vacancy, select the fundraising companies, and approve non-budgeted expenses up to $100. Any other issue, including but not limited to approving our annual budget, electing officers, approving new projects, spending surplus (non-budgeted money over $100), approving bylaw revisions, and reallocating budgets, is brought to a vote of the members (that is, whoever attends the monthly meeting when the issue is voted upon as long as we have at least 15 which is our quorum).

Absolutely - check your bylaws. Ours gives the Board the right to conduct the day to day business of the PTO.

For us, anything could be brought before the General membership, but some things must be: Annual budget, officer elections, changes to the constitution or bylaws.

And just because something is voted on at an abstract level doesn't necessarily mean there won't be related votes later. For instance, in our budget that's voted in during the August meeting, a certain amount (maybe $1000) is set aside for Teacher Appreciation. But during the year, that committee continues to feed information to the Board as to how that money is being used.

For little things, they just advise us via committee reports, but when it comes to bigger items, like spending $500 on a luncheon, it may be brought before the Board for a vote. Even though the money is already earmarked, that makes sure we have concensus on HOW it's being spent.

I was the newsletter chairperson who had a minor roll on the executive board before I was thrust into the presidency a few months ago. I offer you this advice. Your first recourse is your bylaws. Get yourself a copy and read it. It will answer a ton of questions. It is a better resource than depending on what people say has always been done. maybe it has always been done the wrong way

With officers, executive committee members, and general members in our PTO, I am confused about who can vote for what?? Who approves the proposed budget and any budget changes? Who votes in new PTO sponsored events - clubs, fundraisers, activities? Who votes on incoming officers? etc...

My inclination would be to believe that the General Members participate in all the voting, but why have executive committee members then? And if the General Members do not vote, then what motivates them to participate?