Perhaps sending a letter to the editor to your rural newspaper would start the discussion and shine some light on the problems and frustrations? The only true solution is to get enough parents to attend the next meeting and firmly ask for what you want and don't take "no" for an answer. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that the PTO officers want change too, but probably don't think they have the support of the parents to make the changes. I know from experience how hard it is to be on a PTO when you are in the minority all the time and when no parents show up to support your ideas and attempts to change the status quo.
Pamelajm;148975 wrote: Could you start another PTO group for the school? That is drastic and "in your face", but if enough parents at the school feel the way you do, they could then feel safe by aligning themselves with the new PTO group. What principal is really going to refuse funding from a group for their school? The principal would almost have to recognize you as a group and give you credence by accepting your funding. If that doesn;t work, there is a group that oversees Not for Profit groups who are not run correctly, it is called the media. I would suggest a call to your local Investigative reporter and give them the facts..........it is a sad fact that they love to expose these types of things. And maybe, you can approach the principal FIRST before going to the media and letting her? know what your plans are...................
Little too drastic to start another parent group, although we've thought about it. Not sure what kind of example that would set for our kids when the grown-ups in their lives cannot work through the issues. The press in our area would most likely not be interested as we are a rural area and most real news in our area doesn't really get reported by the nearest newspaper. We're never covered by any TV stations! Rural reality...
LUVMYKIDS;148841 wrote: There is an agency that oversees registered 501c3 non-profit organizations--the IRS. However, I think their main concern is the financial operations of the organization: are they following proper accounting procedures, filing timely tax paperwork, etc. I doubt they would get involved in a situation like yours. It would be nice if there was a branch of that organization that does police groups as to whether they are following bylaws. Maybe there is. Might be worth looking into......
More likely though is that the parents at your school are going to have to take matters into their own hands and show up enmasse at meetings demanding that bylaws be followed, elections be held, and parents be given a say in how the group operates.
A thought on boycotting the fundraisers: If parents aren't willing to take the step of boycotting the fundraiser because of concerns over how it will affect the financial ability of your school to get things done, maybe they could make a donation directly to the school for a specific program. For example, if you want to make sure that your child's first grade class has a field trip, then send a check to the school with a note that designates that it is a donation toward the 1st grade field trip. That would leave the PTO completely out of the loop on how those funds are used because the donation isn't to THEM and the school is being directed as to where you want the funds to go.
It is unfortunate that there is no group that oversees nonprofits in regards to following their own by-laws. I was hoping there was some such group, but sounds like there isn't.
I love the idea about the direct donations. No idea if this would be properly enforced by the principal since she is part of the problem, but at least that would parents leverage with the school district business manager. If donations weren't being spent on what they were designated for then he would have to step in and do something about it. Great idea! I am going to share this idea with all of the parents I know!
Could you start another PTO group for the school? That is drastic and "in your face", but if enough parents at the school feel the way you do, they could then feel safe by aligning themselves with the new PTO group. What principal is really going to refuse funding from a group for their school? The principal would almost have to recognize you as a group and give you credence by accepting your funding. If that doesn;t work, there is a group that oversees Not for Profit groups who are not run correctly, it is called the media. I would suggest a call to your local Investigative reporter and give them the facts..........it is a sad fact that they love to expose these types of things. And maybe, you can approach the principal FIRST before going to the media and letting her? know what your plans are...................
Okay, just finished the book The Soloist. A must read if you have a loved one in your family who is struggling with mental illness. I picked it up after seeing a piece about the author and his "subject" on 60 Minutes mostly because of the music background(daughter plays in an orchestra). The saying "music hath power to soothe the savage breast"(I'm sure that's not the exact saying) so applies here, and I found beautiful lessons on friendship, forgiveness, not judging someone by their circumstances, and finding joy in the smallest accomplishments. Although some of the language is harsh, I'm going to recommend it to both of my teenagers.
There is an agency that oversees registered 501c3 non-profit organizations--the IRS. However, I think their main concern is the financial operations of the organization: are they following proper accounting procedures, filing timely tax paperwork, etc. I doubt they would get involved in a situation like yours. It would be nice if there was a branch of that organization that does police groups as to whether they are following bylaws. Maybe there is. Might be worth looking into......
More likely though is that the parents at your school are going to have to take matters into their own hands and show up enmasse at meetings demanding that bylaws be followed, elections be held, and parents be given a say in how the group operates.
A thought on boycotting the fundraisers: If parents aren't willing to take the step of boycotting the fundraiser because of concerns over how it will affect the financial ability of your school to get things done, maybe they could make a donation directly to the school for a specific program. For example, if you want to make sure that your child's first grade class has a field trip, then send a check to the school with a note that designates that it is a donation toward the 1st grade field trip. That would leave the PTO completely out of the loop on how those funds are used because the donation isn't to THEM and the school is being directed as to where you want the funds to go.
