PTAVoice, I have found that the PTA's that are seeking to go PTO have had the unfortunate circumstance of their PTA not functioning as National PTA advocates. When I first began reviewing the posts PTA vs. PTO, I could not understand why anyone would want to change, especially over the $3.00 or so dues that they send to state and national per member.If an individual PTA unit does not use all the resources, training, and programs that PTA has to offer I suppose I too, would question the need for the affiliation. My thoughts then go to, but how could that be? Well any unit is only as good as its leadership. I have heard of PTA and PTO units going belly up very quickly under not so great leadership. Once at that point I would imagine you would consider anything.
I have personally reaped the rewards of participation with the National PTA. We have 15 PTA units in our Council. There are monthly meetings with the Presidents of these units. We share everything from our fundraisers, to our programs/assemblies. Also of great value is membership, and teacher appreciation tips. We all come with our pencils sharpened and our papers full of information to bring back to our schools.
Our council also offers workshops throughout the year for presidents, vice presidents, treasurers, secretaries, membership, bylaws, nominating committees, audits, and many more, to make everyones jobs a little easier. The council board members are always on hand to answer any questions about anything and so are the State Board of Managers. Just a phone call or email away. I take great solice in this.
At our monthly council meetings we here from our Superintendant, and a teacher representative from elementary, middle and high school levels. Reports are also made about any legislation brewing that could effect our students or families and how to take action on those issues, Health Welfare and Safety issues, school board, and there is many times a speaker on other community issues. This information is provided to each unit to report at their meetings.
Each president receives a Resource Manual from both State and National PTA. This manual is priceless as it covers everything from how to chair a meeting to generating volunteers, and all things concerning finances (sample budgets, audits etc..). Very, very useful. All of our officers and members are invited to Council Training, District (several school district attend)Leadership Conferences, Legislaiton Conference, State Convention, and National Convention.
In my correspondance with PTA leaders across the country we are speaking the same language. Yes, we all do things a tad differently but our purpose, and mission is the same. Though I also enjoy my correspondance with PTO's also there are always a million more questions involved and of course issues that we do not face. (I know that all the PTA's have bylaws on record even if they are temporarily lost, they are obtainable at the State level and in each of these bylaws, Robert's Rules of Order is the parliamentary authority, Whew!)
In my own community PTA has been around since the 1920's. It was PTA that led the blood drives during the war, provided the first hot lunches, did the first vision screenings, provide inexpensive strep tests, convinced the city to install school crossing flashers, lobbyed to install crossing gates at the railroad tracks, lobbyed to remove certain commercials from TV. Many of these things started in our community but were brought to the state level through our State PTA. These are just a few things, but well worth the $3.00 dues I pay to keep work like this going.
I am sorry to have rambled on but back to the question of why. If an individual PTA is not using its resources and members are not aware of what that $3.00 actually does. I can see why the switch.
Sorry so long! Best Wishes