After reading this second post, another concern which was already touched on. If parents were losing interest and a minority was running the board then you need to get them interested again. If you have a school where parents have difficulty with the membership fee then a change would help or you could offer scholarships.
I agree, you should do more than just fundraise. Here in PTA, we use the 3-1 rule. 3 non-fundraisers to each fundraiser. Make it fun.
Yeah me again....I'm wondering if the teachers looked at the situation (parents were burned out and no one wanted to continue) and felt they could do it better (if you will) with little regard tothe fact there are by-laws etc. It happens but with new parents.
Honestly, you have a rare situation! I would love to have a few teachers INTERESTED in what we are doing!
Maybe when they see how much work it is they will just give it back to the parents! HEY!! It could happen! it probably will.......
Why was is fundraising only? Someone might have been more interested, if their was other things involved. If no one else stood up maybe the teachers just figured that could handle a few things and get the money for what they needed. No, it's not a PTO without the P, but at least they kept things alive for a few years. If you want to take it back you've got to find the interest and get things going again. Talk with the principal and say "okay we are ready now" and the teachers may do their own things or just work with you. You know your teachers are ready for this, most PTO have trouble getting teacher involvement.
If you are questioning the validity of the teachers group, then hold your elections and start following the bylaws, but you'll have to have the people behind it. The beginning of the year might be a perfect time to start.
I read and responded to your other post. How big is your school? If no one is willing to be a member of the board I suppose someone has to run the PTO but they still have to go by your by-laws. They can not just make things up as they go. If your principal won't help I suggest you try to find other parents willing to help possibly by sending home notices or making phone clls and letting them know their help is really needed. Otherwise why bother having a PTO. It's not a PTO without the "P". Good Luck!
I have a question. A group of parents about 3 years ago started PTO at my sons school. I was the president for the first year( nominated of course) and treasurer the last 2 years. After I resinged we had no other parents willing to help or for that matter accept positions on the board. So the teachers of the school took it over..everything from the checking account, to the fundraising, even changing the dues from 4.00 a year for each adult to 1.00 a year for the child only. We have by-laws that were voted on and put in place 3 years ago and they pay no attention to them it is like they never exsisted BUT... they are still calling the organization PTO saying they fund field trips...ect (which we never did)we did fundraiser ONLY. When we all left our positons we left them 200.00 in the account, after spending all the money on these same teachers for supplies die cut rolling machine stipins ect..... can these teachers TAKE OVER with out an election or nomanation from the exiting president our by-laws state you have to be elected or nomanated by the pesident to fill the board . the teachers did it before their terms were over....what can I do as a parent now to make sure everything is not going to fall apart with out running for a board position do our by-laws still count??
