Gotta back the regulars here, there is something fishy here that this committee can have their own fundraisers in your groups account, doesnt ask the whole membership what to spend the money on and doesn't want to give it up? Yikes! Does your principal actually support this? Just a thought but do they buy alot of things that he wants? Is this group in existence to buy things that your membership would vote down and that is why the principal backs it? Hmm I think I would ask some questions on why this is taking place!

Shawn may be right - this situation raises a red flag that you sould be looking for, but let's not jump to conclusions.

It is entirely possible that this committee was allowed to "do their own thing" and she wants to keep it that way for convenience. I am not saying that should continue but it may be a reasonable expectation from her viewpoint (you are the newbie afterall).

Regardless, better financial controls need to be put in place and ALL committees/members need to follow them. The Treasurer should have direct oversight of all budgets (i.e., all moneies flow into and out of the bank account through the treasurer).

The committee chair should know what her budget is and keep track of the spending against it. However, it is the Treasurer who reports the balances to the group.

BTW: There is nothing wrong with dedicating some fundraisers to a specific committee instead of the General Fund. The money still flows through the independent Treasurer, but the committee can count on suplements to their budget without asking for a vote of the entire PTO.

Tell them its not 'their' money its the childrens and PTO's -- if their money is being raised under PTO name even if 'their' fundraiser is 'separate'- if it uses PTO name then its PTO and all memebrs decide where $$ goes, is controlled, etc because really its not separate. Take the high road or 'hit the road' would be my advice to them

-- sound more like someboy doesnt want to relinquish the cookie jar they've been pilfering out of.... This just stinks of impropiety...


As for legalities bring it up to the District, State, Attorney Gen and Dist Attroney-- I'm sure someone will look into it for you, Election yr is coming up

And once bylaws are in place they can still follow my advice above.. or 'hit the road'

[ 09-11-2006, 12:40 AM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Sounds like "her" committee isn't part of the PTO. What does that committee do that needs to hold its own fundraiser?

In this case, it seems to me the principal should have a say. Does s/he want two parent-led groups, both doing fundraising, both promoting themselves to the community through the school? Sounds kinda messy to me, but I suppose it might be workable depending on what the other committee is doing. No doubt the self-sufficient committee is afraid they will lose control if they are forced to function under the PTO's rules. Can you assure that committee that the new bylaws and structure will help their cause, as well as the other things the PTO does? Maybe someone from that committee should be an officer.

I am the new president of our PTO in a school that is new to me. One of our Committe Chairs told me that historically her PTO Committee has operated fairly independently - doing their own fundraisers and keeping track of "their" money which is in our PTO bank account. In addition, they do not want to follow the new by-laws that we intend create as a first step in our incorporation process that call for all expenditures over $200 to be approved by the members. They want to spend it on what they want, after consulting with the principal. The officers feel uncomfortable about this in terms of accountability and the organizational structure (which is weak at best now), but aren't sure how to deal with all this resistance. Are there any liability/legal issues here? Any other suggestions??