One teacher at our school bought our new BBQ that we have been wanting, with the expectation that we would pay her back when the funds came in from the insurance money, but I told her that we should reimburse her through the PTO (since we have the money available) rather than with the PTA money just because of the whole thing about them owning the PTA assets. I think we'll have a big kick off part at the beginning of the school year next fall and spend it all on food and entertainment and then the rest will be for purchasing school supplies for the kids. I know it is highly unlikely that the PTA will stake claim on the BBQ, but at this point, I don't trust them. It's brand new, cost over $600 and they could easily say "we own it and we're picking it up and dropping it off at xyz elementary school a mile away.
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Our PTA bylaws say this about owning assets...
This association is obligated, upon withdrawal of its charter by the California State PTA:
a) to yield and surrender all of its books and records and all of its assets and property to the California State PTA or to another PTA or PTSA organized under the authority of the California State PTA;
b) to cease and desist from further use of any name that implies or connotes association with the National PTA or the California State PTA or status as a constituant organization of the National PTA; and
c) to carry out promptly, under the supervision and direction of the California State PTA, all proceedings necessary or desirable for the purpose of dissolving theis association.
It also says that the CA State PTA SHALL Have the right to collect and transfer any funds... and also shall cease and desist from further use of the IEN. And finally.....
This part is in all caps..
THE COUNCIL AND DISTRICT SHALL BE CONSULTED AT LEAST SIXTY (60) DAYS PRIOR TO ANY VOTE BEING TAKEN TO DISBAND THIS association.
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Our PTO Bylaws that we wrote say this...
Article VIII – Finances
Section 6. Dissolution of the Organization. Upon the dissolution of the organization, any remaining funds should be used to pay any outstanding bills and, with the membership’s approval, spent for the benefit of the school.
Article XI – Dissolution
The organization may be dissolved with previous notice (14 calendar days) and a two thirds vote of those present at a meeting.
Kathryn;143185 wrote: So, we got our PTA Checking account set up finally. It was a hassle, but it was done. Now let's see if the PTA will send us the insurance claim money. The lady on the phone asked if we had "dissolved our PTO yet" which frightened me into thinking that they will hold onto our insurance claim money until we dissolve our PTO. Can they force us to dissolve a PTO before we are in "good standing" with the state PTA? We don't want to dissolve our PTO because it has been so much easier and cleaner than running a PTA.
Kathryn
No, they are completely playing games. There is not one thing technically wrong with having a PTO up and running while a PTA is, as well. No connection between the two. Complete bunk.
So, we got our PTA Checking account set up finally. It was a hassle, but it was done. Now let's see if the PTA will send us the insurance claim money. The lady on the phone asked if we had "dissolved our PTO yet" which frightened me into thinking that they will hold onto our insurance claim money until we dissolve our PTO. Can they force us to dissolve a PTO before we are in "good standing" with the state PTA? We don't want to dissolve our PTO because it has been so much easier and cleaner than running a PTA.
Actually, this is in regards to reinstating our old PTA long enough to collect the insurance claim on the embezzlement charges from 2 years ago. One of the parents took off with the checkbook and wrote checks to herself over the summer and then disappeared. This is when we were still a PTA. We filed a claim with the local PTA and they said because we were no longer in good standing (since we became a PTO by then) we could not be represented. So, we had to pay dues and insurance money to the PTA to get in good standing just to get them to work on it for us. Then a year later we still had not heard back and they said "Oh yeah, we have your money, but once again, you are not in good standing because your dues are due again for this year" so we paid it AGAIN only to be told, "we cannot give you the money since you no longer have a PTA bank account". I said "This is completely ridiculous. These people have us by the you know what, holding that money over our head to keep us coming back when we are operating a very successful PTO" So I took the initiative to open a PTA account so that we could have an account to deposit the money into. I dug around and found the old Tax ID# for the PTA, but she said I had to update the bylaws in order to open a checking account. The guy at the bank told me I needed articles of incorporation, but I'm hoping bylaws are sufficient. If I need articles of inc then what good are they if they are not stamped by the secretary of state's office. I have the tax ID, but no stamped articles and the bylaws they gave me are a fill in the blank form with a signature line on the bottom for approval by the CA State PTA parliamentarian. Once again, I am at a loss. I am waiting until 9am so I can start making some phone calls here. Wish me luck.
You also mean a "PTO" Tax ID #, right? You can get that in 15 minutes. Call the IRS (or do it online), and you can get a number. Then you can open a bank account. No problem.
