Buckeye Treas,
You're not alone! I was with a group which had their current bank account for 36 yrs (at this point no one even knew whose ss# was being used)and we began the formal process this past spring.
When I found out we weren't non-profit and all the rest, well, I was very frustrated at how it was being run. Did I also say - our account was nearly always well into the $20K's++.
Our Board wasn't too responsive to the idea of changing or looking at becoming a non-profit. But with some continual talking about it from me and some others, we were able to express why we felt that it was so important. Please note this was a 2 yr. process, but at the time I wasn't the treasurer either.
Phil B. of MacArthur school has posted an awesome powerpoint presentation to help show the need and why/why not it's an important decision. Check out his site:
MacArthur PTO
If you feel that the current PTO is resistant as a whole, maybe if you talk to a few people one on one and find out why, you may find yourself a support group. I think in our situation, the Board at that time felt overwhelmed by the papers & proceedings. When I stepped up and volunteered to be the point person, they were more willing to look into and understand the situation.
Just don't go bulldozing it saying "We have to", but you may also want to look at how you are organized and think about whether you wish to continue as the treasurer of the organization. (I.E. I've heard that many PTO's use their treasurer's personal SS# for bank accounts - DON'T DO IT!) I know their are many others out here with more wisdom and can probably put it more tactfully than I.
Best wishes - and come and ask questions around here. There is a wealth of knowledge willing to be shared by many!