We do pay our janitor to work for big events and to be honest with you, we couldn't do it without him. He is not a parent and is not a PTO board member. Our bylaws state that only parents can hold the elected positions and may not serve the board as a faculty rep at the same time. So if they are doing PTO work as a PTO member they are not to get paid or if forfits their position as a board member.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
Thank you for all your input. I see most of you agree with me, this is absurd!!! You all have given me alot to go on. May I also add "the cook" did NO cooking, the President had it all cooked she just had to keep the sauce warm & the noodles hot. I also have the question where do we stop on who we pay if they are going to open this can of worms?? The librarian/PTO treasurer took money all evening for PTO membership dues, does she get paid?? The school secretary took money for the meals, does she get paid?? and if not , why??? I agree with, what about the PTO president, why isnt she getting paid for her long hours?? The janitor?? Where does it end? Bottom line, this is a non-profit organization who was running a "Volunteer" fund raiser for the PTO!! I am still blown away by paying the cook (MOTHER OF 3!!!) Wouldn't you being a parent volunteer come before expecting to be paid for services that a dozen others did without expecting a thing??? thanks all...
I understand your anger! I think these people need to keep their jobs as seperate from the PTO as possible.
We did vote to pay the custtodians $50 to come in on Saturdays after an event to clean up. They are not affiliated with the PTO in anyway. They can usually use the extra money and are grateful for the opportunity but they are not there during the event.
Serendipity...in our school district it comes down to union. If anyone has plans to use ANY of the kitchen equipment then they must get prior approval in writing from the food service director, then from there the individual school manager must be present. this past week at our fall fest we were just using the counter where the kids put their tray and even that wasnt suppose to happen....theres a story to this but im still waiting it out...lets just say there might be heads rolling!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
If the school cook/parent does not want to "volunteer" to do the cooking anymore, then I am certain that there are "volunteers" that would be willing to do it for free. they can cook the food at home and then bring it to the school so that the school kitchen isn't being used. If your group carries independent insurance, even if you do use their facilities to cook, you should hopefully be covered under your policy. If you are operating under your school's insurance, I would call them directly and find out what you as a PTO are covered for and throw at them a few scenarios, including having a parent volunteer cook in the kitchen.
If you do pay her for volunteering, then there is the issue of her paying taxes on it, (which may or many not increase her tax bracket and thus actually lower her pay- possible good argument for you to use), also you would have to donate the money to the school to pay her. It would have to be taxed, social security etc just like the rest of her pay. If they say, "it could just be under the table" remind them that when you file your 990s, you do have to tell the IRS where it went and who recieved it. Then the IRS will know that she recieved it. (will they really investigate where a little money went to pay a salary, probably not but it will get them thinking)
I realize that perhaps this parent feels as though she cannot afford her time unless she is paid but you have to be fiscally responsible to your membership and as much as you would like to help her out, there are plenty of parents who could use a few extra bucks who volunteer their time, free of charge.
Not to mention, you will be setting a precedent for paying for your volunteers. What about the fundraising chair that contributes several hours sorting and counting, do you pay them? What about the PResident, they put in more hours than many other volunteers, do you pay them?
It's a volunteer organization. If you don't want to volunteer, you don't have to.
