Thank you so much for your comments. I will try and get the card from my friend (who lives in another state ) and see what it says. I to do not have a probelm with PTA and feel we are all working together. It was just that I could not believe this person was out recruiting people. I thought it was very tacky. I am glad you all put my mind to rest on this issue. I am still desappointed that anyone would do that. I am a member of many associations and never would try to recruit like that. My friend said he was rude and tried to belittle PTA, all because of the dues. I think their dues are neccesary and are well spent. I only joined PTO because it is in my school. The unit is doing a wonderful job so far. But as a mom I do not want this to be an example to my kids. I appreciate all of the comments and am thankful you are all so kind. We ARE IN THIS FOR THE KIDS! No other reason. We should be examples. Can you imagine where our schools would be without these parent organizations? But to talk rudely of another one at their convention is uncalled for. Thank you again! (I am glad some of you like my name- lin is after my grandma Linda)
I've got a guess as to what ChelseyLin may be referring to -- I was at the national PTA Convention, and I'm sometimes confused with "the national PTO president." It's an unintentional though understandable result of the name of our magazine. Our magazine goes to PTAs and PTOs -- there's no "national PTO" to recruit "to."
I had a nice time, heard some excellent speakers, saw some neat new vendors in the exhibit hall, and reported on PTA developments with daily updates on our Web site.
I attended as a PTA member (I belong to a local unit in Mass.), but actually the convention is open to non-members, as well, at a non-member rate. So... anyone could/can attend. No great mystery -- just a guy who likes to learn about parent group "stuff."
If you check out our Latest News page, you'll see our updates from Baltimore.
Hope that clears things up. Feel free to continue the discussion or email me privately, if you'd like further clarification.
Chelseylin, I agree with the other sentiments posted here. First of all, who is "THE" PTO president? As Marion said, there is no national PTO, ergo no national PTO pres. I'd be really curious what the business card says & what this PTO "President" actually said.
I also agree with all the sentiments saying PTA and PTO do not have to be oppositional. I personally belong to a PTO, but that doesn't mean I consider PTA to be the enemy. In fact, thru this forum I have encountered many PTA members who obviously are concerned first about the children (plw is one of them). And you're right, that is what it's all about!! And like JHB said, we're all in this together, so we gather information wherever we can.
Jo
Chelsey, I would not take it as PTO's trying to copy PTA's. You may belong to both PTA & PTO's with no problem. All that is required to take advantage of anything PTA offers is to be a member of a unit. I am sure there were many PTO members at the convention. Our PTA units have never considered PTO's a threat and in some schools work side by side. As far as her 'recruiting' I recruit members for our Music Boosters and Athletic Association and any other group that makes a positive impact on our kids. I belong to all of them and reap different benefits from them. I agree with Marion that we are all in this together. I have also found that there is usually a reason for those who have less than kind words to say about PTA & PTO's. They are usually from units that were not running properly and have not had the pleasure of belonging to a unit runnig as it should. So for as much as I am saddened by people slamming each other they are usually justified. Once a PTA member has gleaned information from PTA it is theirs to use, however. And as a PTA member I am grateful for all the help I have received from PTO's. Thanks! ps. I love your name and almost sorry I did not think of that spelling when I named my daughter Chelsea Lynn 17 years ago.
[This message has been edited by plw (edited 06-28-2001).]
We are a PTO and I certainly don't consider the PTA's "the bad guys". There's a lot to be said for each organizational structure, but the bottom line is that we're here to help the kids. Even though we are a PTO (and I'm our president) I've been meaning to join the PTA as an individual. I belong to various professional organizations, read assorted literature, seek different information sources to supplement my job. I do the same in my role as PTO President. I use teacher resources, read school adminsitration material, visit non-profit management websites,etc. The PTA is just one more resource. It's not an "us versus them" issue for me.
