OK read all my post dont pick and chose points

PTA is not for everyone and is not all inclusive but then again who is? It is a bloated lobbying group that does good and bad.

The original posters question was about PTA saying that PTO arent the same, arent nonprofit YADA YADA YADA... when in fact they are.

I am a PTA member but dont agree with 85% of what PTA does or spends its money on (and they know it, too) Does that make either of us irrelevant. I think not but it doesnt make both of us better either.

Please spare me the separate BS, if you read my quotes I'm not against Gay rights, I against GAY preferential rights, treat everyone the same and let BOTH sides in, which the PTA did not in that case. Or agianst PTA. I just report the facts so others can decide.

PLease reread the WHOLE post and gist of the topic before assailing me and my knowledge and rights as a taxpayer, parent, PTO and PTA member, next time

I am Shawn, and I approve this message.

So let me get this correct shawn;
Because in 1942 PTA lobbied for something...(spent millions$??-limited by IRS Rules)
You feel they don't represent you.

And as far as your comments on GAY rights, maybe you would feel more comportable going back to the days when people of color were "sepparate" for the rest of "us".

On vouchers, check the facts: PTA is against public money going to support secular and non-accountable private schools.
Not SCHOOL CHOICE within public schools in a district, or public charter schools (many of whom are PTA's)
Maybe you feel that your tax dollars going to support white separatist schools, or cult schools is appropriate (think Waco, or Jim Jones at Jonestown) But I certainly DO NOT.

The PTA that I am a member of is working within Washington for increased funding for public education, and fighting childhood obesity (to name a few issues)
Maybe these topics are controversial for you, but not to me.

Thank you Shawn, I did not realize all of the above, knew that stuff was trying to make it in just didn't know where it came from... We have the PTO in place at our school...when we swapped over from PTA to PTO...I asked why and was told the dues were to high...now I believe it... I do sometimes long for the PTA of yesteryear...but I know those are gone forever...

In response to the original post saying that the Principal required volunteers to be members of the PTA to volunteer in the school, it could be because a PTA (or PTO) usually carries liability insurance. If some serious accident occurs involving a parent volunteer, both the school and the PTA will likely be sued, but the administration may prefer to be on the safe side.

SAFin RI;134917 wrote: "Everytime I have told a parent who didn't know a few of the things PTA lobbies for they are shocked and don't like it"
Can you give me some examples?

IMHO like the teacher unions, National PTA feels threatened by policies that give parents a choice among schools, such as charter schools, vouchers and tax credits. The group even opposes home schooling -- the ultimate in parent involvement in education!
When conflicts divide the rights of parents from the agenda of teachers unions, National PTA tows the union line. That's because in 1968, PTA adopted a resolution mandating "neutrality" in disagreements with union positions.

CA PTA lobbied for an increase in cigarette tax (1.2 mill spent) to keep kids from buying cigarettes saying then they couldnt afford them -- at $4 / pack -- they should be ID 'em them they cant afford them already
MI PTA lobbied for teacher raises in a school district that paid in the to 5% of the nation (I realize teachers as a whole are underpaid but its not the PTA job)

In 42 state PTA lobbied (spend millions of $$$) for a redo of warnings on cannisters, bottles and other drugs, poisons, pesticides, etc -- when 99% of the items already surpased (and had at least warnining signs, labels on them (Kinda a waste of money, dontcha think?)

The PTA backs juvenile rights bills in many states for offenders in Youth facilities and jails (lasttime I checked PTA had nothing to do with rehabilitation or the prison system)

The National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA.org) has refused an ex-homosexual group's request to exhibit at its annual convention while welcoming a pro-homosexual activist organization - even inviting it to present a workshop.

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris that Cleveland inner-city parents could use
tax-funded vouchers to send their children to any public, private or parochial school, the National PTA “vowed” to keep fighting school choice. (when is the PTA job to decide where a parent send their child- is the PTA now a taxpayer rights group?)

At its 2001 national convention, the PTA director of public relations dismissed parents and teachers who support the new independent groups. Lobbying for a dues increase, she said, “We want people who are committed to this agenda, and if they’re not, that’s fine. Go be a PTO [an independent parent-teacher organization] and have a nice life.” (so now they dont want us as members???) -- Reiterated by the new Pres and CEO (this past year) who both work for on of the pro-gay rights groups


Did you know???

The PTA has particularly strong ties to teacher unions. Charlotte Frass, chief Washington lobbyist for the American Federation of Teachers, said, "We often lobby together." Ties are even close to the nation's other leading teachers union, the National Education Association. One of the PTA's three Washington lobbyists is married to an N.E.A. lobbyist, and from the founding of the PTA's Washington legislative office in 1978 through 1993, its lobbyists were housed in rent-reduced offices in the N.E.A.'s headquarters a few block from the White House.

The PTA opposed Bush's tax cuts (have they been drinking with FatBoy Kenedy??)

In December 2000, then-president of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Ginny Markell publicly promoted the documentary That’s a Family!, which was intended to teach children that all families, even those headed by homosexual couples, should be accepted.

The national Parent Teacher Association, fondly known as PTA, is under the leadership of chief executive officer Warlene Gary. Ms. Gary previously served as the National Education Association’s human rights director and that school union’s liaison to gay interest groups. (National & State PTA's have said they wont pronote homosexuality but are pushing for sex -ed that explains it and says it s OK (Uhh sorry that a parents decision not the PTA)

PTA's have fought for 'gay pride day' but wont allow other groups to host their 'whatever day'


Is that enough??? Should I find some more on how out of touch PTA is with parents and mainstream America where as local PTAs frequently go to bat in budget negotiations to keep teachers and educational resources at their schools. Where funding falls short, local PTAs a majority of the times make up the difference—a practice the National PTA discourages since it runs counter to lobbying efforts for more tax funding.

"Everytime I have told a parent who didn't know a few of the things PTA lobbies for they are shocked and don't like it"

Can you give me some examples?

"but if your organization is a fit then you shouldn't have to sell it with lies. "

What's in a lie? PTA is a recognizable name, almost Generic for school organizations. The difference sometimes comes with larger donations, PTA's are always 501 (c)(3) non-profits, Others are not.
If your PTO is a registered 501 (c) (3) then there shouldn't be any concerns with potential donors.

You are absolutly right in that about an organization'a "fit" and "A" or "O"