Our organization did not want to charge dues, that's one reason we opted out of the PTA structure. While we don't charge dues, we do have a membership book that eligible folks (including teachers, staff, parents and caregivers of students) sign if they would like to have voting rights. Our membership book is a lovely hardcover book that we plan to keep from year to year. Our membership book provides a very affirmative, but easy, way for people to join at any point in the school year. At the beginning of every meeting we hold up the book and invite new folks to join. It has created a lasting record of members and contact information and it has also served to define our membership. I have found that in order to register for a license to hold a bingo game, for example, we are required to list members. It doesn't cut it to just say "all parents and teachers" are members. If you don't want to charge dues but you do want a defined membership, I would recommend a membership book.

It comes from being around so long and all the many on this Forum who have shared their wisdom. You've certainly done your share.

I agree about volunteers. The PTOs with which I've been associated have been the same. If they had dues (and there are some good reasons for having them), it was a beginning of year membership drive with a classroom contest. Once that was over, there was virtually no distinguishing. Our group represented the entire school and we considered all parents/families to be stakeholders - potential volunteers, attendees, etc.

Technically only paid members could vote, but that was really a moot point. By the time anything came to vote in a general meeting we had ironed out any issues and it was unanimous.

Our paid members DID get a free copy of the school directory, which others had to buy if they wanted one. Membership costs were about the same as the directory cost.

For us, it wasn't so much about the money (membership funds) as it was a marketing effort and step in gaining commitment.

Man--JHB--you are so bloody smart on this tax stuff--I think you ought to be PTO treasurer of the world so we can all benefit. Post your address and we'll send our taxes !!!!

I will also say that I don't see a connection between dues and volunteering at our school. We have a TON of volunteers and frankly I don't ever check to see if they are PTO members or not. I let everyone know that volunteering and being a part of their child's education is an absolute right that no one can take away and they are free to volunteer in any capacity (with the PTO or not). The voting is the only members only aspect. When we hold our end of year volunteer lunch we send out over 150 by name invitations of folks that I and the teachers see consistantly as volunteers to our school.
I think it is really just a matter of how you set up your group.
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On the dues being a donation - that depends on the situation. If membership dues provide an special privilege or benefit, they are not deductible as a charitable contribution. For instance, if members get a free copy of the directory, or (only) members of an organization get a newsletter or some other perk, it's not a donation.

Olson, I hope your first meeting went well! I can't wait to hear about it.

Regarding dues and voting, I don't see the two, necessarily, as connected.

My last group did not charge dues. All parents/guardians and staff members were automatically members. Like PresidentJim says, this is my favorite approach as well.

However, our bylaws were specific about defining members and voting members. Like I said, all parents/guardians and staff members are members but only board members (officers, committee chairmen, teacher reps) are voting members.

If you do decide to charge dues, I believe one of the many benefits that should come with that is a vote. Even then, some groups limit votes to members who pay dues and attend a minimum number of meetings and/or events.

The beauty of being a PTO is that you can decide each of these elements for your own group based on what's best for your community. Spend the rest of the school year and summer break talking out these items before drafting bylaws.

All good advice...and I appreciate it! I'm 30 minutes from leaving for my first meeting. It's just me. No board. I've gotten a few phone calls this week so I'm not too worried that it will just be me. I like the no dues approach but just not how to kick it off and earn some funds. The school already has fundraisers, although not good ones, for the rest of the year so I'm clueless as to how we are to do anything with no money. I'm sure the school will let us take over the fundraisers, but not the money! Any suggestions on how to start from my position? Thanks so much!