Question: Voting

This is my first year as VP. In fact, all of the officers are first-time officers. We have no bylaws. Apparently the principal did not get along with the PTO last year. The principal did not like the voting process and wanted to control PTO funds. This morning the PTO president called me. He explained he too felt that if he approved something, it should not have to come to a vote. He (the PTO president) also felt that he could overturn any vote. I told him I was not comfortable with this and he changed the subject. This concept of not voting and using funds without parents' okay raises a lot of red flags with me. My question is, if he does make decisions without putting them to a vote, is there anything that I can do with no bylaws in place?


Asked by Anonymous

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Community Advice

Renaemoe writes:
I am interested in the answer to this as I have similar concerns. I am a former board member who is still active in the school. We actually have bylaws which state spending an amount over $100 requires membership approval, but our new President believes her approval is enough. She also took items we had purchased in the spring as incentives for our students this fall and is selling them at a profit because "the previous board gave too much stuff away". I would suggest you get bylaws written (this is fairly easy, there are a lot of templates out there) and voted in as soon as possible. I just don't know what the step is after that to make sure they are followed.


Advice from PTO Today

Rose H writes:
Hi Anonymous,
Yes, there is a whole lot going on here. If your PTO was established as an independent group, then, the first step to take here is get bylaws in place. Can you seek out help either with other board members or with a helpful parent within the group to start this process? Here are some articles from our site that will help you with this process.

In general terms, it's worth pointing out that your parent group is supposed to represent all the parents and families in the group and should be making decisions, including how the money is spent, with the input from the entire group.

Also, it isn't typical, nor is it okay for a single board member to make financial (or other key) decisions It isn't typical, nor would it be recommended, that a single board member would make financial decisions.

Some resources for you:




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