We also had trouble finding a treasurer this year. It's a huge job, and the most intimidating part for us was setting up the budget. A parent who was an accountant had previously designed one using Excel, but last year's treasurer had no idea what to do with it. Neither did any of the other officers, and it was a mess. We didn't have much to go on.

So we purchased the Finance Manager program from PTO Today for $119.00 (an annual fee). This encouraged one mom, with whom I had previously spoken, to accept the position. Our whole board worked together, and the software walked us right through setting up the budget - there are also helpful ideas in the file exchange area. We used the checkbook to figure out what our estimated values should be, and when we presented it at our meeting, we looked great. The principal was very proud of us.

All of our information concerning our budget and checking account is stored online, so the treasurer and president can access it from home in the middle of the night if we want to. Other members can also look at the information with different levels of access. So far, we're very pleased.

It is very possible that there are other stipulations within your Bylaws on who runs things, makes decisions, etc...

Using that I would imagine that you don't have to just fold up and give up.

It is very tough finding a Treasurer because that position comes with so much responsibility. The way I did it, when I knew that my two Treasurers were moving up to the Middle school, was to approach someone I thought would be good at the position, and see if both he and his wife, both very active members, would be willing to share the responsibilities. As long as I, as President, kept an overall eye on the finances, I didn't see anything wrong with this. They agreed and we've been great since. The point there is that no one was willing to step up until I specifically approached them and asked...

There are a few groups that I know of, including my group before I became President, where there wasn't/isn't a President or even a Vice President. These groups still function(ed). Usually in these cases the next highest officer (usually the Treasurer) takes on some responsibilities to keep things going. Personally I would never recommend, or even condone the Treasurer running the organization, as there should be checks and balances, but at least it kept things going...

So the point here is that I would recommend approaching someone directly to see if they would take on the position. Maybe even do it as a co-Treasurer system to make it less demanding and more appealing. And lastly, if that doesn't work I would say that as President you should obtain signing ability, but you should setup a committee that will check the books at least a couple of times a year so that no one would believe that there are any issues.

Good luck,
PresidentJim

We can not get anyone to take the Nomination of treasurer of our pto . the bylaw states that we have to have a president vic president and secretary and treasurer. So at the Next meeting if we do not have the Treasure we can not have the meeting?or do anything as a PTO? until we get someone?
we do not know what to do. Thanks for any help you can give us.MD VP PTO