Perhaps the school board is concerned with liability for allowing students to be out selling items in the name of the school. Our school also has a policy that fundraisers do not require door-to-door selling and we do not offer incentives for the most sales. The parents want them to operate this way so there is no pressure and you participate in whatever amount you feel comfortable.

That being said, I couldn't imagine that we would be able to raise the funds we do without doing a merchandise fundraiser. Our fall fundraiser covers half of our budget for the year!

Maybe your group can work out a set of guidelines for the selection and operation of a fundraiser and present it to the board. Explain to them that you are trying to raise funds to help meet the needs of the children and teachers. Get estimates of profit expectations from some well known vendors so you can have some numbers to show the board. The board may have been burned previously and just need some assurances that the fundraiser will not cause problems for them.

As a new member of my community, state, and school, I asked the PTO what fundraisers they do? I was told that fundraisers that sell items outside of school are prohibited because they don't want kids selling door to door. First of all, most if not all, companies strictly state you should never sell door to door and the PTO can back that up with additional notices, right? Furthermore, it is the school board and president who are prohibiting this event. Do they have that right? Help! Thanks, Christen