I just don't understand people these days. Someone at our school stole the digital camera that is kept in our school's office. That camera is used by any teacher or staff member that signs it out. We take a lot of pictures throughout the year, and a staff member now has to use her own camera. It's ridiculous!
Unfortunately, if you go to the police, it will leak out to the kids. I assume you have confronted the person with your suspicions, and have gotten nowhere?
You might consider alternative dispute resolution instead of going to the police. I really don't know the procedure, but if you have an ADR center in your city, you might call and see how to go about it. The reason I am suggesting this is that it might help you get your money back without having to resort to a criminal action -- not that I'm concerned about the volunteer if she actually took the money, but because it might be easier on the volunteer's child.
Agree with the other responses but... try to not let this leak out to the kids. No child should have to deal with any negativity due to a parent's lack of ethics. Speaking from personal experience at my school. It's unbelieveable how adults and other children treat the child(ren) of the accused.
I'm with d, take legal action to get your money back and do whatever it takes to make sure they stay out of any involvement with your group-no serving as an officer, chairperson, or volunteer. I assume they are a parent, so keeping them from "attending" events could be bad for their children.
Why do people do these things? Stealing from children-sick!
HA--ask them to no longer attend PTO events....heck--call the police and file a police report for theft. If you can prove this then you can have them arrested and have them make restitution of the children's money. This is called stealing and I would follow my bylaws and kick them out of the group. If my bylaws didn't cover it I would write them and vote them in and THEN kick them out of the group.
Nothing slimier than a dime that passes through hands like that....
d
