Okay, maybe this is tacky and perhaps not the right place, but I need some advice. We are an independent school in an area where several other independent schools will be closing soon. One of them is nearby and we'd like to invite them to check out our school (which is NOT in danger of closing). Our principal has suggested our PTO make the first contact with their PTO, kind of parent to parent before stepping it up the ladder to admin. I have her contact info, but what do I say so I don't sound like I'm a vulture? They know their school is closing and the announcement was made in the papers so everyone else does too.

I'm all for broad, general use of PTO funds but restricting them so that all funds spend "must benefit the school as a whole" is too narrow, in my opinion. So it's good that your group is reviewing them.

A PTO needs to carefully consider its policies on whether to support a certain school group or activity, but it should have the power to make those decisions. With those strict bylaws, you'd have a hard time buying something just for one grade or consider a particular class need.

Whether or not your group has a sunshine committee that handles the occasional tragedy, illness, retirement, etc. is up to you. You definitely want to consider what your policies are and how you decide what to do for whom.

But you don't want your bylaws so strict you cannot operate.

triplets+1... You are rewriting your bylaws so you CAN use PTO funds for funeral flowers, etc???? If so why???

Our bylaws are being rewritten for this very thing.Our bylaws now state that any money spent must benefit the school as a whole,so even sending flowers to a funeral is not allowed.We are in the process of rewriting so that we cover any event we can come up with.

It totally depends on how your purpose is worded, but I agree, you may be opening a can of worms.

Not sure on the legalities, but as an officer, I would not want to start that. Where do you draw the line??? Just seems like you are asking for trouble on this one. Not that you can't help people in need on a personal level, but I can't see justifying taking PTO funds and using them for this purpose. I don't feel like PTO funds should be used like "charities". Maybe a local church could help in these matters.