MightyJo offered a great start. I'll give a short version:
As a PTO, the rules you are governed by are:
1. The law. Example -- if you are a nonprofit, you have to follow certain rules. Same applies to a PTA.
2. Your bylaws. Makes good sense to adopt a comprehensive set of bylaws. Bylaws are your group's guide and are especially importnat at times of conflict. Conflicting opinions are inevitable, bylaws help you deal with those and move on effectively.
3. Common sense. What's your group's goals? What are you hoping to accomplish? Bring the many talents in your building together and accomplish great things. Common sense = little things like auditing the books, and Common sense = big things like prioritizing your efforts for the good of the school.
It sounds like you need to do lots more research before you make a decision to switch from PTA to PTO. I don't know a lot about PTA, but I know it's a national organization to which you pay dues (on both the state & national level). In return, you are part of an organization which works toward children's issues. Before you make a decision to switch, it would be best to understand what you are leaving.
I assume that you have some flexibility regarding your bylaws with PTA, but I don't know for sure. So if your complaint is your bylaws, perhaps you can change them without leaving the PTA. I don't know if there are limitations on how you can spend your money. From your posting, perhaps this is your issue with the PTA.
On the other hand, PTO is just a name. It is an independent group. You would have to create your own bylaws & go from there. Your bylaws determine your mission & what can be done to achieve it. Through this forum youcan find lots of school websites with sample bylaws.
Regarding the research it sounds like you should be doing, this website is a GREAT place to start. There are articles describing PTA vs. PTO. You might also want to browse through this discussion forum for lots of feedback re: PTA vs PTO. There is also information regarding becoming non-profit, tax exempt & info about liability issues. If you've got the time to spend, set the toggle to show all of the topics instead of the last 45 days.
H-E-L-P-!!!!! We are a whole new PTA board and don't like the rules (bylaws) of the PTA and want to switch to a PTO, but none of us knows how. Is it as easy as just voting and changing our name??? Where can we get PTO guidelines? We are a Chicago Public School in a middle class neighborhood and can no longer get Illinois State funding due to that fact that we are no longer busing in from other neighborhoods. Our school has become a neighborhood school. We want to be able to raise funds and use them to hire a teacher for the programs we have lost (computer/music). Can a PTO do this? Are their guidelines/restrictions to what we can purchase/raise money for/donate to our school if we become a PTO. Any help would greatly be appreciated!!!!! Thanks!
