Question: HELP! NEW BOARD How is it decided what items to submit for memebership vote

Our board has received 3 proposals to change the budget; 1 each from a parent, a teacher and a board member. My question is, how is it decided what proposals are submitted to membership for a vote? Our principal is under the impression that any and all proposals must be submitted to membership for a vote. It seems counter productive to me that any member can submit a proposed change in the budget and have it voted in by members. It also seems like it opens up the possibility for chaos. Is this how it should work? The two of our by-laws that make me feel that the board should first decide what may be submitted to a membership vote are: 1. A tentative budget shall be drafted in the fall for each school year and approved by a majority vote of the members present. 3. The board shall approve all expenses of the organization. HELP! Our entire board is new this year, and we are unsure of how to proceed. (This is regarding giving teachers additional stipend money that we receive from selling popcorn to students each week. This money has never been accounted for until this year, and we only have speculative data on how much money this fundraiser will bring in.)

Asked by anngrajales

Answers:

Advice from PTO Today

Rose H writes:
Hi there,
Are you currently working with an approved budget for the 2017-18 school year? If so, it isn't wise to make changes unless there's a very specific reason.Are all 3 proposing a change for the same reason? Sometimes, if a question is raised about an additional expense, the group can discuss it and agree to cover it with non-budgeted funds (extra cash). You wouldn't want to make changes to the budget for something that could be a one time thing. Plus, the process should be that if a proposal for change is made that it is first discussed by the group and then determine, based on that feedback, if it should come up for a vote.

So, next steps: Let these folks know that you will put a budget discussion on the agenda for your next general meeting.

Rose