3inva you have already switched in your mind why not do it on paper and seperate from them. Let the parents know where their money is truly going in PTA and what the PTO can do with it. Good Luck
Cindy<br />
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<br>"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."
3inVA.. hmm.. sounds like philosophically you are already on the PTO side of the fence. Why won't you be making the change to PTO? Yuu are the new Pres, you have the power to open up dialogue, do research and perhaps plant the seeds of change. Maybe that will be YOUR legacy for your school. Never say never! I know there are people on these boards who have made the switch, so maybe you can start by asking the questions here!
I am an incoming President of a large PTA within a county that has only two PTO's (both at brand new schools). Saturday was our regional PTA "training". I basically wasted a whole day learning about how to deal with national PTA- what forms to send in when, MUCH emphasis on the importance of recruiting members (re: give us more $$!!) & how, although *we* must never get involved with politics on our level, the PTA is primarily a lobbying organization. On the one hand we were scolded for fundraising, on the other we are scolded for not having enough programs! (I suppose we are supposed to magically find programming money? And never mind the fact that the place was full of fundraising vendors they invited to peddle their wares to us!!) Every five minutes they were promoting another of their "training" seminars over the summer, that costs hundreds of dollars plus time & travel....Why not just give us real information while we are sitting there instead of using it to promote another event?? Contadictions everywhere, our treasurer was specifically told one thing while I was told the exact opposite, tons of handouts but nothing fresh & no new ideas! The restrooms were full of people complaining about the content & what a waste of our time & money PTA has become. All they want is our membership money- and what we get is so minimal, we are not even covered by their insurance, nothing! I know we won't be converting to a PTO, but oh how I envy you PTO folks!!
