All I can tell you is what would happen if one of my officers were found to be embezzeling from the PTA.
The matter would be immediately turned over the District Attorney's office.
It would be explained that we can minimize their embarrasment if they immediately resign.
It would be explained that we can minimize their embarrasment if they immediately make restitution.
Of course, they will probably deny that they did anything wrong. If they did nothing wrong, #3 is not an issue. But putting us in a situation where #1 is necessary reflects poorly on the organization, and putting us in that situation makes #2 necessary. If #1 leads to their exoneration, they can run again.
But even if all they turn out to be guilty of is sloppy recordkeeping, leading us into this situation is unacceptable. Sure, I've got some organizing of my notebooks to do before I turn them over to the next president -- but that doesn't create any image of impropriety.
Does your PTO have insurance where the officers are bonded? If money is missing it COULD be replaceable through this coverage, but that might also raise your rates. While I know that we discussed it, I just read our bylaws again and it isn't stated. We discussed having two people count money after each project, the treasurer and the chairperson of the committee that raised the money - in the absence of either of these two people any other exec. board member could fill in. Both signatures would be required on an "in-slip". This was to avoid any confusion about deposits. Two signatures, president and treasurer, are required on all checks, which helps to avoid the possibility of money going out the wrong way. Now that you've brought this up I will consider asking the board to revise the by-laws to include it. I don't know how we left it out. Hope this works out for you and don't let the potential of guilt by association keep you from doing what you know is the right thing for your kids and the school.
I have a question about the by-laws. I have never encountered so many problems with board members!!!! The by-laws they have are from several years ago and are not detailed to any extent. The 4 officers: president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer all hate each other and there is a question now about the treasurer stealing. I am new to this school this year and I do not know each member any better than the other. I have volunteered with the PTO for everything this year. I have been to all the meetings. I also feel that the treasurer may be stealing. My question is this: there is an audit being conducted this weekend by a committee and they have already said there are problems. My main concern is that the Treasurer is running for President next school year. If the audit does in fact turn up showing money missing, is there some type of action that can be taken so the treasurer may NOT run for office next year? I have been told by several parents, who are not involved with the PTO, they do not want anything to do with PTO because of the board members! I would like to make a difference for our children and your school next year, but I do not want to be a part of such a bad team! I really need some advise!
