This issue came up several years ago for our PTO when the then-PTO president refused to sign the charter renewal. She was uncomfortable with the provisions of the contract and felt the PTO could not live up to its end of the deal. It was a very divisive situation in our PTO, with many hurt feelings, but in the end, the school chartered the troop and they continuted to thrive.
When the issue resurfaced more recently (while I was president) my recommendation to the BSA parents was that they personally set up a new non-profit organization, and then they charter the troop themselves. They must have found a solution, because that was the last I heard of it. I read the contract myself and I, too was uncomforable with the PTO's ability or approrpiateness of being the charter organization. Though I am very supportive of BSA, and the proud aunt of a new Eagle Scout, I would never recommend that a PTO hold a troop's charter. (ex: the PTO doesn't have any property where meetings can be held).
Not sure if it makes sense for your PTO? Read the charter contract in detail and then decide.
My son was in Cub Scouts for three years and we had local churches as our charter holder. Like was said earlier, it really is to insure stability in a meeting place. I don't know how a PTO/PTA could insure that since they can't promise out rooms, times, etc of the schools. Or at least none of the parent groups I'm aware of are able to do this.
The first church that chartered us was a bit wishy washy and sad to say but Scout items stored in the church often disappeared. Our Cub Master approached our elementary principal about the scouts meeting in the school cafeteria and that was approved. Later, we merged with another pack and were chartered by a different church where they still meet today. They are very supportive, allowing the church and its grounds to be used for all kinds of scouting functions.
Not to stir up worms, but I would have difficulty believing that with scouting's policy about homosexuals, that any public school or other public service organization would charter them.
The stability lies in the PTO as an organization, not in the officers. The school is there to stay. Another reason is that is where your children are. You need members to have a pack/troop. And where is there a better place to get them? Schools, youth groups etc.
I am not suggesting that the leaders of the PTO attend a seminar (only if they wish to, so that they may understand things better) Believe me, I know how busy we are (I am the current VP, soon to be P of a 500+ child school) That is why the BSA has a chartered organization representative. Every pack/troop has one. They cannot exsist without one, it is a requirement so that the pack/troop/organization has an open line of communication. The chartered organization represenative has been through training, and should have all of the answers to questions and concerns, or be able to get you the answers.
Tim, I do understand all of your concerns. Perhaps this might be a good subject for a future PTO today article. If you call the national office, they would be able to provide you with information.
I'm sure you're right about the intentions, but a couple of problems remain for me:
a. If one of the intentions is hooking onto a long-term stable organization, PTOs would be bad fits. Just like the pack leaders, PTO leaders (and the stability of a single parent group) change frequently, as well. If that really is the goal, then PTOs shouldn't be the landing spot.
b. RE: the talk about chartering orgs attending seminars on being good charterers and the like. Probably would be wise, but it's just off-mission for the group. The group leaders are busy enough. The parent group has one great mission; the scout troop another. There are tons of good causes. We don't have parent group leaders go to training re: running a cancer fundraiser.
c. Frankly, I'd still have concerns about liability and the like. The organizational duties/messiness/pain-in-the-rearness/etc. of scouting should be on scouting. I assume that's a big reason there's a national org in the first place. As a parent group leader, I'd wish the scouts every good thing, but I wouldn't charter a troop.
Your local troop/pack is dead wrong. There is no personal information needed for the charter except the designated signee who can be either the president of the PTO/PTA or the chartered organization rep (who is a registered member of the bsa). Even most troops/packs don't really understand the whole chartering issue, although they should. I want to know what is in something that I am signing... Please, again I implore anyone who is having trouble with this issue to contact the local council serving the area, or even the national headquarters located in Texas. Don't let the misconceptions and non-understandings of this hinder the main goal- to provide the boys with a safe place to meet and grow as citizens in the community.
