I am in a similar situation. We have a hostile election coming up. Membership just quadrupled in one month so that people can participate in a ballot stuffing process. I feel it is not ethical or moral but have learned that people are capable of all kinds of poor behavior in the name of the children. My analogy of our situation is PTO was like a toy a child wasn't playing with but as soon as some other kid wanted it, they through a fit and wanted it back. It wasn't that they wanted it, but they didn't want anyone else to have it.
We have weak By-Laws that no one has actually ever used. In fact, I was criticized for being to technical(reminded people that they needed to be paid members to participate in vote) Moral of the story.....When you realize you need to change or tighten up your By-laws, it usually means some one is abusing them to their advantage.
My strategy is to encourage cooperation, working together, mixed ticket kind of thing. I am going to abstain from voting myself in a kind of protest and urge others to let their conscience and not their friendships determine if they will vote. Encourage and welcome the membership, but suggest that they refrain from participating in an election vote. Votes are really earned by those that contribute. The business of joining in at the last minute and casting a vote really devalues the vote of those who have participated in the process all year long. Put the pressure on them by making certain there is a membership list that shows how long someone has been a member, and how many meetings they have attended.
Hope this helps. Sometimes it is just nice to know someone else is experiencing the same struggle.

I agree with "crazyorwhat." When we wrote our bylaws we figured this kind of situation in, and said one must be a member in good standing for 60 days prior to an election. Our bylaws state that being a "member in good standing" is determined by being enrolled as a regular member AND having paid dues if we ever decide to have them. (We also have honorary membership for people who'd like to be involved but have no kids at the school, so they'd pay no dues and have no voting rights). But, as that we currently have no dues, our bylaws state that determination as a member in good standing is limited to enrollment status.

I don't think what you're feeling is wrong. If paying dues is all it takes to become a member it seems like a cheap way "in." However, if that's all that it takes to be a member in good standing, there's not much that can be done about it. The way you feel is understandable, but also think about WHY this bothers you. It's democratic process, so let them sign up; if it's not meant to be they won't get voted in.

[ 02-17-2004, 07:32 AM: Message edited by: kmamom ]

When is your election? Our bylaws state a member in good standing for at least 30 days. Give them a deadline - anyone wishing to run for office must become a member by ____date. People should understand the concept of needing to be a member of an organization prior to becoming one of its leaders. Perhaps a member of your nominating committee can contact these people and explain that you don't want to turn them away, but your bylaws clearly state that they must be a member to run for office and give them the opportunity to join.

I don't want to suggest that the following is true, but it does come to mind as to the feelings and/or perceptions of those who are not members.

Is it possible that others see your current group/membership as a clique? If that is the case, this may be the only way they see to change things. Put yourself in their shoes and take a look. Is it possible that being as your group is small,

I understand we don't have a "great" membership

that maybe this is how they see you, as a clique?

Is it possible that they don't feel comfortable enough with the current group administration

(they) have not volunteered for functions at the school

to volunteer directly? Again, I'm not saying this is the way it is, just that it might be perceived that way by the unpaid parents running for office. Is your group so strong that you couldn't use them? I mean you aren't saying that only paid members run all your events without the help of non-paid parents, right?

Is it possible to let one officer position (say Secretary?) be up for grabs by anyone who is a member, paid or not? It may be a way of bringing new blood into your group. A compromise you might say.

Lastly, isn't every parent in your school a member of your group, at least in theory if not monetarily? I mean that even though they may not have payed dues or worked directly with your group, consider that they may work in a classroom or do stuff at home for a teacher or maybe they've sent in stuff for the class or even your group (provided stuff for a basket raffle, provided food or drink for a class party or PTO function, bought something from a fundraiser, etc.). Like it or not, they have helped your group and according to your stated bylaws

Only Members in good standing of the PTO

it doesn't say that they had to be 'paid' members, just members of good standing. That right there is a loop hole of sorts. They are 'members in good standing of the PTO', even though they have not paid in.

I say find a way to include them, even if it means what you may consider to be a huge compromise.

I've just had a thought that in the end, this may provide everyone with a bit of irony. You walk a mile in their shoes and in turn, they will get to walk a mile in yours... They may find out that what you do is not as easy as it looks and you will undoubtedly find out just how your current group is perceived.

Whatever you decide, Good Luck.

[ 02-16-2004, 04:01 PM: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]

Well, your feelings are YOUR feelings and it's not up to anyone else to say they're wrong. As to the question of should people become officers without prior experience, I guess it depends on how desperate you are. Are there other people willing to do those jobs? Did the nominating committee find them? Unless there is a time limit in your by-laws ("must be a member in good standing for 1 year") I'm not sure how you can prevent them from paying dues and joining and running for office.

It just occured to me that the good standing part may be something that Robert's Rules of order may address. Anyone know?

Our bylaws say "Only Members in good standing of the PTO shall be eligible to participate in its Business Meetings, or to serve in any of the elective or appointive positions". We have several people who signed up to run for different offices but they are not members and have not volunteered for functions at the school. Some people on the board feel we should allow these people to pay their membership dues and be allowed in the election. I understand we don't have a "great" membership, but still feel this is wrong. Am I wrong for feeling this way??