Thanks for the support Diff...

That's exactly what happened. Did not realize that this post was so old.

Kind of wish that there was some sort of way that old posts, such as this one, would be put into a separate section so this kind of thing couldn't happen.

I thought I did a decent job in not "bashing" the PTA, as I do believe that all types of groups can work. Just gave my opinion on PTO versus PTA.

PresidentJim

Educated Parent;138440 wrote: Last night at the Annual PTA Mtg Dist 215 of Illinois it was very disturbing listening to our President. Her examples of Diversity of inclusion were very wrong, uneducated and very old school. Examples such as; colored hot air balloons, the Hispanic culture seems to steps back from Americanized Education, idea of cultural fairs, reaching out to another color and taking time out to understand another religion.

A. Sound like diversity to most- you have to start somewhere- diversity does include Cultural fairs, reaching out to other colors (I assume skin color), religions, etc

Educated Parent;138440 wrote: It is about looking beyond race, old scripts, stereotypes and understanding and appreciating cultural and individual differences. Diversity is about ethnicities, nationalities, races, ages, sexual orientation, religion, work experience, cultures, beliefs, different physical abilities and educational backgrounds. In taking all these factors into play we need to create an environment that our children can grow and understand this explanation. Her poor explanation was very embarrassing to me! Her examples where facts that she was in return saying what was not the case. This is just not making sense to me?

B. Sounds like new-fangled words/ ways to describe what the person above wanted- diversity.


Just because someone doesnt Get Paid to be a Diversity Person for a LARGE Company doesnt mean they dont want to plus millions would argure with the sexual orientation part and diversity.

d's post was nice... mines an attempt to be (Educated in Tolerance you are not)

You need to learn some (goes hand in hand with diversity) for others that VOLUNTEER and want to do right.

YOU should be embarassed for your insenstive rant, not for your prez apologizing for not really knowing what she was doing. She after all isnt PAID to do it, isnt trained to do it, isnt eh...hum... educated to do it, from your post not as eloquent as you would like (many leaders have to learn to be eloquent- public speaking is not easy for many)


Me thinks your missing the forest for the trees- (If you was me) I'd say,"Self, I'm going to apologize and I'd like to donate a ton of time and get my company to sponsor the Tolerance and Diversity events for our school!!!!" as the Diversity Chair after taking a Tolerance class.

It's funny Confused--but sometimes a thread will rearise as if it were brand new and members that have not been here that long respond to the latest couple of postings. I don't think that Jim meant to bash...knowing him over this past year that isn't his style. We all just come here to place opinions on the board. I suspect a PTA member will soon hop on to let us know their thoughts...all good discussion. Wish we non-PTAs could access the PTA boards to hold same.
d

This is a great place for open discussion, but why respond to a six-year old post just to bash the PTA? That's seems a little overboard.

pto-prez...

You mention that you would "Personally, I would rather be a PTA", and I have to ask... why?

You mentioned that "PTO's (unless specifically requested, up to a $500 fee) are not 501c3", but almost all of us PTOers would always recommend spending the minimal fee (as compared to the thousands going out for PTA dues each year) and file to become an independant, non-profit 501(C)(3) organization.

Obviously I am in a PTO group, which is independant and has 501(C)(3) status. I have been reading and taking part in these forums for a while now and the arguments I've read regarding the benefits of PTA versus not being PTA always seems mis-informed.

For example, some have argued that by being in the PTA you get a voice in Washington. Having researched this I understand that to be incorrect. Sure the PTA has representation in Washington, or at least lobbyists, but of the millions of paid members a very minimal amount actually have a say (voting rights). The avergae PTA has almost no say whatsoever, so this point is not true.

Others have mentioned the services, such as anti-bullying and such, that the PTA provides. I would be interested to hear if the PTA organization has actually ever provided this for free for any of the groups out there. But either way a PTO or other type of group can easily bring in enrichment opportunities such as this each year, and for much less that the dues that needs to be paid out to the PTA each year.

Lastly I heard that the PTA is a great resource for helping groups establish things such as Bylaws, mission statements, etc. And once upon a time I would have agreed that the PTA would have been almost the only resource for this type of stuff, but no longer. With sites such as the one you are on right now, this type of information is readily available, so I don't see any reason for paying thousands of dollars each year.

So obviously, personally, I feel that non-PTA groups are the better way to go for the school and for the group. Yes I recommend filing for 501(C)(3) status, for creating a good set of Bylaws, etc.; but I just can't support the idea of sending out thousands of dollars in dues, as well as the time collecting and filing, when that same time and money can be used to better the school itself.

Now before the PTAers get too upset, let me just say that all types of groups can and do work. For me it comes down to need and money. Does a group need to have a "say" in Washington to be successful?... no. Does a group need to be affiliated with a national group to be successful?... no. Does a group need to be part of the PTA in order to be legal and have non-profit status?... no. Does a group need to send out thousands of dollars each year that could have been used within the school?... well, if you are a PTA then yes!

Good luck,
PresidentJim

IRS laws don't change just because you become a PTO.