PTAfrustration;56140 wrote: I was told to sue the elementary PTA or call the IRS because the executive committee is sick of me threatening them!

It's absurd that they're paying volunteers (-> not a volunteer, then, but an underpaid employee), and I'm sorry they haven't been better about following the by-laws.

However ... I don't think you're on the right track with this. If the board feels you are threatening them, then they're not going to work with you at all, or if they do, they'll address items individually as you bring them up, rather than changing the culture. The
IRS isn't doing audits to see if everyone is complying with their by-laws, and you don't want to sue the school or report them to the IRS because that won't help the school, and ultimately, we're all here to help the school.

Susieq mentioned tax returns; yes, they're supposed to be public, but no one reads them except the IRS (unless you're a huge non-profit like the Red Cross). If you make a big stink, they'll post a few -- and then next year, you'll have to harp again. I've done the tax returns for our PTO and they're cryptic, you'd get more information from a decent budget.

In our PTO, no one had ever filed for 501(c)(3) in the 20 years we were in existence; threatening the board wasn't going to make anything happen. (I'll report you to the IRS! They'll make you pay taxes!) Our board, like yours, is made up of volunteers, probably not attorneys or CPAs specializing in tax-exempt work.

So, you've got to figure out what things really matter, and start working with the board to get them done -- and consider modifying the by-laws to remove the unimportant stuff.

If there's no budget, then that's an issue. If no one has filed the taxes, that's an issue -- and you're certain to lose your tax-exempt status because the IRS tracks that, unlike by-law compliance.

Why aren't they following the by-laws? Are they too cumbersome? Unclear? (I think ours used to say something generic about the treasurer filing what's needed; now they spell out the 3 things that need to be filed along with their due dates. Previous treasurers never filed 2 of the 3 items, because they didn't know they were due and didn't go looking because they had enough to do already.)

In the case of paying a volunteer, the point about having to list it on your 990ez -- and, I believe, justify why what you're paying is a reasonable salary -- might be enough of a reason for them to decide that they don't want to do that in the future.

PTAfrustration;56140 wrote: I have been associated with our elementary PTA for a few years. In those years, we have not followed our bylaws, we have picked and chose which things we would follow. As a result, monies have been spent on numerous activites that were foolish. i.e. paying a volunteer (who came to volunteer) 50 dollars. This is just one example of many others. I have been very vocal on the need to follow them. I recently wrote a memo to each executive board member stressing the importance of the PTA Bylaws. I have been told that I am being "too picky". When I explained how our PTA can be held liable if we do not follow the bylaws, no matter how frivolous the lawsuit, that we will lose the suit! Also, if we do not follow the bylaws, it could affect our holding of the IRS tax emept status. I was told to sue the elementary PTA or call the IRS because the executive committee is sick of me threatening them! I have gone to the council as well as the region and I am getting nowhere! I am so frustrated that I am ready to quit. Are there any alternatives, suggestions, or comments to help me, help our executive committee understand how important the bylaws are?

Every school district has an office of parent engagement. Talk to them.

Time to go above- You go girl-- Bylaws are there for a reason--Any member of a PTA who receives compensation for doing volunteer work in definelty in violation of their bylaws but also must then claim that "INCOME" on their taxes and the PTA is also responsible to list that on a line that asks if there were any paid volunteers on there 990ez. Also any executive Board member who knowingly puts their tax exempt status in jeopardy can be brought up on charges. Time to get a copy of your bylaws (you are entitled to them just be asking for them), maybe even ask to see the tax returns for the past few years. By law they have to let yousee them or pay a penalty. You may need to go above your local unit and go to your council or district. PTA offers several workshops for their units some that every member can go to with no extra cost, time to raise your voice..Also ck with your state PTA or www.pta.org..Good Luck- Don't be afraid- We had the same thing happen it took me 3 years to get my voice heard and people to relize what was going on before they said enough already and outsed the wongdoers (be not reelecting them) and putting themselves or others (by elections) in place..YOU WILL FIND YOU ARE NOT ALONE, ONCE OTHERS BECOME EDUCATED IN WHAT IS HAPPENING.

I have been associated with our elementary PTA for a few years. In those years, we have not followed our bylaws, we have picked and chose which things we would follow. As a result, monies have been spent on numerous activites that were foolish. i.e. paying a volunteer (who came to volunteer) 50 dollars. This is just one example of many others. I have been very vocal on the need to follow them. I recently wrote a memo to each executive board member stressing the importance of the PTA Bylaws. I have been told that I am being "too picky". When I explained how our PTA can be held liable if we do not follow the bylaws, no matter how frivolous the lawsuit, that we will lose the suit! Also, if we do not follow the bylaws, it could affect our holding of the IRS tax emept status. I was told to sue the elementary PTA or call the IRS because the executive committee is sick of me threatening them! I have gone to the council as well as the region and I am getting nowhere! I am so frustrated that I am ready to quit. Are there any alternatives, suggestions, or comments to help me, help our executive committee understand how important the bylaws are?