I had high hopes that the shed had been outright donated to the school, but the principle checked with the administration office and said that was not the case. Our current policy is to donate funds for the purchase of items, and the shed is a great example as to WHY this is our policy.
I wonder if we should make this policy part of our by-laws for generations to come. . .
I know every group is different, but when we purchase something that is to be used by the school and not actively by our group, we donate to the school and make them responsible for upkeep or any other decisions involving it.
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
Our PTO purchased a standard shorage shed for the playground a number of years ago. It's on a wooden base that is set on a cement slab. Bins of balls, tether balls, jump ropes, etc. are stored here. This shed has been broken into twice in the past 10 months (by kids). All of the toys are gone - again. The doors are damaged. And some raccoon sized animal has recently eaten two holes in the wooden base (we guess that it may be sleeping in the shed now that it's turned cold in MI). SOOOO, the principal wants us to get rid of the shed. He has a new plan for toy storage that prevents theft. He even has a potential buyer for the shed.
The PTO Board agrees with the sale (most adamently our secretary who supervises the playground during recesses). We will have this on the agenda at our next meeting. The question is how to "sell" the shed. I don't like the idea of simply selling it to the individual that expressed an interest.
The current plan is to get an approval for the sale of the shed, and then take silent bids from faculty. The money will go toward a shade awning for the playground. The shed will be replaced with one of the picnic tables. The principal has lots of good ideas on how to do the silent bidding, such as setting a timeline on when it's to be removed. We have a great working relationship, so I'm comfortable with letting him take the lead. Afterall, it's on their property and the removal headaches will be his. However, since we have never sold anything owned by the PTO, I am wondering how other PTO's have handled property sales. Does anyone have any good advice on how to write a sale contract? Are there any pitfalls that I should watch out for?
