Your PTO cannot be 501C since there are no bylaws. It never would have been approved for tax exemption that way. You need to do your research to find out how they are organized. They may not be recognized at all and working under the social security number of the organizing President or the tax ID of the school itself.

If the PTO does have a certificate of organization, then they should have bylaws and they should be drafted this year before the "wrong" people are in place and abuse of power & PTO funds begin to happen.

Don't go in demanding, just ask questions as a concerned parent that wants to protect the funds raised by the children to insure they have needed supplies and activities throughout the year. YOu should also consider getting a board position so that you can make a difference.

It hink that PTOs have evolved over the years into organized groups that are governed very well with some significant structure. They didn't always start out like that and many folks are of the mind set "if it ain't broke--" well you know. I think volunteering to create bylaws is a tremendous way to start (as the committee head or to pull together some examples and proposals). Also if you find the elections were poorly handled then volunteer to head up the election committeee yourself. Becoming alienated based on your sense that no one else wants to do it right or has the ability to do it properly will not effectively serve you, your group or the children.

d

"Any ideas on how to IMMEDIATELY address this?"

- take a few deep breaths.

"I lost the "loaded" election as it was more of a popular vote than it was about electing people with skills and knowledge (clearly since they've not managed to write any bylaws!)."

- you essentially just said that the people that were voted in have no skill and no knowledge ONLY because they do not have official by-laws in place? Do they run programs, events, etc., that benefit the school? The children?
If so, then they do apparently have some skill and knowledge don't they.

"Do I just go to meetings and make a pest out of myself until they get off their collective behinds and put the "O" in "PTO"?"

- Do you really think making a pest of yourself will help anyone? How about approaching in a calm, friendly manner. Maybe offer to help set up a by-law committee.

Loosen up a little, try to work with them, quit being upset about the 'popularity' issue (since your post makes you sound quite offended by that possibility) and offer to help the organization. If you pester them you are only taking away from their time and, therefore, taking away from the school and the kids.

I can't believe it. Our PTO has been together for several years and they have NO BYLAWS. I found this out after running for office. The election was not at all organized which prompted me to question what the current bylaws said about how elections should be run. The answer: there are no current bylaws!

WHAAAAT??? :eek:

You've GOT to be kidding me! What have people been doing?

Any ideas on how to IMMEDIATELY address this? I lost the "loaded" election as it was more of a popular vote than it was about electing people with skills and knowledge (clearly since they've not managed to write any bylaws!). Do I just go to meetings and make a pest out of myself until they get off their collective behinds and put the "O" in "PTO"?