I am grateful for all the cool-headed advice. I will find out their reasoning on this, but I still feel they are overstepping their bounds a bit. The way the principal spoke to me had me feeling very defensive. It's probably a good thing I am "retiring" as president and passing these frustrations on to a new PTO board.

...and if the "donation" is going to a County funded program that is were you maybe rynning into a sticky situation.

Highly advise to hear this out. I would ask what and how they can do this and remind these people that the check has not been written yet!!

Deep breath, schedual a meeting and see were it goes.

campben - Is it that they want to control YOUR group's money? Or is that if money is made selling a SCHOOL t-shirt, they want a say in how the money is used?

In our elementary, it's really only practical to sell one school t-shirt per year. The school lets the PTO handle that sale, but they are very involved in the process and the design. (Frankly - they get majority vote.)

As an independent group, no - they shouldn't be able to dictate your fundraisers. But they may have a right to control any fundraisers on school property or using students to carry home flyers and such.

They probably see this as a joint effort, not a solo PTO activity. Communication is the key. Talk to them. Work out a compromise.

If your a 501(c)3, with your own EIN, not the schools. Only your membership can decide after a vote where the money goes..

If you not then it depends on how your setup under the school or school system.

If you are, then the school and system can make life difficult

Thus (an example)
The mission for the Calahan St. Elementary PTA is to identify curriculum and programs deemed by the membership* in its sole discretion to be vital to affect the richest educational experience possible for our children; to maximize the role of the school itself in fulfilling these objectives; and to plan, organize and execute events and programs which generate the resources and mechanisms necessary to fulfill these objectives.

* PTA membership is compised of ALL parents, guardians, families and stakeholders of children attending Calahan *

Then for the other can of worms- if you havent paid dues and arent a member then (it kinda like the US election- No(as in didnt)Vote, No whining)-

No dues, no vote- but you still have a voice- just no vote

I am beyond angry!! Our PTO wanted to sell school t-shirts and use $2 from each sale to help in the community. My idea was to give it to the preschool scholarship program (preschool is housed in our building but run by the county). First the principal stepped in and said he wants a say in who we give the money to. He wants to give it to Salvation Army because they help fund summer school. Now the Board has stepped in and said we can't give our money to charity. Excuse me? We are an independent organization, and a recognized 501(c)3 group. I don't feel they should have a say in what we do with our income. Anyone know for sure???