Thanks guys..that was my next course of action..it is a really awkward situation as this prez left under a problem of attitude and our school had a dreadful year. My team and I have worked very hard to pull this back and were very successful (I think this is her biggest issue with us). However, I am the only one left and have not "officially" resigned as I was waiting to see if there were any new officers..which there is not. So, I think our best course of action is to get new checks and not be held hostage here..it is definitely about power and control with this lady and I will not sink to that level as it is not for the good of our school. I am the authorized signer as well as the ex treasurer and a teacher. I think we will call a meeting and have the rules changed that the principal, teacher and myself will be on the account so there is accountability at the school level. I am still in shock that somebody would do this over a PTO check book!!! It is nuts!!! I personally am backing away as I do not want to deal with this lady anymore and do not think our new parents need to in meetings..it may be good for a reorganization year!
I appreciate the support and help..by the way, she cannot do anything with the check book..which seems a mute point on why she has it doesn't it?
Oh well...back to a new week! THANKS :0
Just exactly who IS currently authorized to sign checks? You say you are about to resign, your treasurer moved out of state, and the third gal is an expresident. Are you preparing to elect new officers now that the school year has started? It may be that the Ex is trying to protect the PTO, but if she is no longer a member of the Executive Board, she has no power in this situation. What is she afraid of? The ones left with check-signing authority? You? I think we need more info to give more specific advice, but from what you say, she has no right to hold the checkbook and someone needs to show up at her doorstep and demand she turn it over.
Go speak to your bank manager in any event. S/he can advise you on the risks you're facing if Ex tries to access the account. But is there any reason you think she'd do that?
Makes me wonder if there isn't something this person doesn't want you to see...
I would immediately call the bank and explain the situation and also tell this person to hand the checks over, that the bank has been notified. If they moved out of town and purposely took the checks, I'd call that stealing.
This is one of the reasons that I have insisted since our last treasurer moved on (who we could trust since she was a former banker herself) that the checkbook be kept at school in the safe. I just don't see any reason for someone to have it at their house.
I would say you have 2 options:
To keep the peace but a bit bend over backwards:
Call the expresdient and you can let her know the plans to vote in the next treasurer (i.e. how you'll be doing the process) and explain that you need the checkbook to get things going. You could also ask if she wanted to hold the position since she is holding the checkbook but that might come off a bit devisive.
or b (and if you get a negative from the ex president on that)
Call the bank (or have whomever is on the account call the bank)--stop payment on the checks in the checkbook she has and get the next set of checks issued.
I have to be real and say that I would go straight to option b personally as I will not be held hostage by someone...
