not to make your issues sound any differnet from what they are (wrong processes or indifference to rules by the ones in charge it sounds like) but our group does similar things with amounts in the thousands of dollars, from what i can see, ie purchases NOT put out to the vote of the members,,,,and guess what, NO ONE seems to care. no one asks questions, its all just glossed over in the name of keeping the peace. what a poor example some people set for their own kids. goodluck, and stick to your guns and do whats right. get all the support you can from your peers, thats the best way. dont go it alone.

Well, she got reelected because the election was fixed (won't go into it but I know this as fact). I argued with myself for weeks whether to cause a scene or just let it go because I can't take the stress anymore. Since I am making sure that all monies earned this year are spent this year (we had a windfall of money this year), I've decided to let them drown next year!

She is the type to spend first and get a vote from the membership second. Of course she does not get reimbursed until it's voted on, but how many times does anything get turned down? I do try to inform as many members as possible to her sneakiness but - the majority wins. At least their is talk now because they see my hand and a few others go up in opposition.

She also has tried in the past to get over on the $100 limit. If it's not budgeted, it's up to the President and Treasurer (me) to decide. If it's over $100 it goes to a vote. She has tried many times to split up costs having one person order something (for $60) and get reimbursed, then ordering more of the same thing herself (for $60) going over the $100 mark and trying to make it seem like it's for something different (in essence saying it's two separate charges and doesn't need to be voted on).
She's also hell-bent on changing the bylaws to up that amount to $200 (not gonna happen on my watch!).
Sorry for babbling, but thanks for letting me vent!

That must have been some question!!!

Let me say further that I believe the first thing a treasurer should do if they have a question about a purchase is to contact the person who made the purchase. Most often questions can be answered and the issue taken care of with this method. The treasurer may then want to report at the next meeting that they had a question but got it answered. Bringing issues up at board/general meetings should be done if the issue can't be resolved in a discussion with an individual. Don't bring up every little discrepancy in meetings. It can make it seem like you are accusing the person of some inappropriate activity when they simply hadn't clarified something or had misunderstood.

luvmykids said 'bring the discrepancy up at a board meeting or general meeting if necessary. That lets other members know of the problems you are having and gets them involved in resolving the issue.'
i couldnt agree more. i once addressed one pto leader in person, and not only did it not get the issue resolved, or the question answered, but the pto disallowed me from participating in their group! they kicked me off all their committees too. guess they didnt like my question.

When you have a question about the validity of an amount or purchase, do you just bring it up to the President or do you bring it up at a meeting?

If the President is the only person you speak with, then I would quit going to him/her and just bring the discrepancy up at a board meeting or general meeting if necessary. That lets other members know of the problems you are having and gets them involved in resolving the issue.

Bylaws and approved budgets should be followed unless approval for a change has been made by a vote of the membership or at least the board. Who alters the item should be based on the amount in question.

Stick to your guns and don't let anyone get away with spending money that wasn't appropriately approved.

Check your bylaws. Hopefully there is specific wording in regards to the chain of command. Ours are very clear by stating we "function under the auspices and regulations of the Board of Education of District...."

I have NO DOUBT that our principal, super and eventually the BOE would step in if we weren't following our bylaws.