I never really thought about the P.T.A. but it keeps coming up on this board. In my state (mass.) most of the studies say that we have about the best schools in the country and I read that the Mass. P.T.A. is about the weakest P.T.A. in the country. How could we possibly have good schools without the P.T.A.? Maybe P.T.O.'s aren't all about fundraising.

Cynthia:

I attended the PTO Show last February, coming all the way from Texas to New England. Believe, me I wouldn't have spent my own money and vacation time to attend a event focusing on fundraising. It was great, lots of good information about a variety of relevent topics.

As far as the exhibt hall (anywhere), the bingo type card where you try to get all the participants to visit each exhibit booth is pretty common. I run quite a few conferences. The main reasons to have vendor exhibits are 1) as a service to the participants so that they can find out a lot of information about related products and services in a concentrated time and 2) To add to the show revenue and reduce costs for attendees. In many, many conference, the fee would double for attendees if vendor exhibit fees weren't taken in to account. However, once a show decides to HAVE vendor exhibits, they have an obligation to the exhibitors to encourage exhibit traffic.

I'm not thrilled about the statements made in the speech at the PTA event, but I wouldn't condemn them for the Exhibit stuff.

Back to the real point, the PTO Today show was great, and I'm sure it will be again this coming Spring.

Cynthia you can see what they have planned for their upcoming shows through this link. www.ptotoday.com/show/schedule.html Even though it seems their Show was not ALL about fundraising, quite a bit does pertain to it. They also address things about 501 (c)(3) status and such, (most of this is handled by our State PTAs therefore a mute point for PTAs).

PTA certainly does have exhibitors available (had about 100 at our State Convention last month) but, that was the extent of it on the topic of fundraising. Of course we all fundraise! Yes we also had those "cards" to have signed by the vendors. Remember these vendors come to be heard. They want you to stop by their booth. Those who run the convention urge you to stop by because they want the vendors to come back next year. If they do not get to talk to us, they won't sell, they won't come back. I got a lot of great information from some of the vendors, so I am glad I trudged through it.

I am not surprised about the comments from National. I wish that instead of remarking about PTOs focus on fundraising, they would concentrate on what makes the difference and even why our PTA leaders are so intimidated by PTOs. (Aside from the fact that our PTA leaders are volunteers and therefore not necessarily the best speakers in the world, LOL) They are passionate about PTA and its purpose and mission. They have every reason to discourage PTAs going PTO and I hope that they can wage an intelligent brawl about it. Because of my time on this discussion board I have seen more and more units jump ship to become PTOs. Furthermore I understand their reasoning. (Well for the most part anyway). But it breaks my heart and it scares me to death at the same time.

I am sure that if everyone with a child in the public schools (and that is most of us) really understood the impact of the lobbying efforts PTA has made in our schools for the past 100 years you would want to be part of it, or at least support it. We are pleased in our district that the school board sends out a "report card" of our schools that lets us know how our schools are fairing. How long has your school been doing Parent/Teacher Confernces (1977)? Does your school have a hot lunch program (1930's)are they nutritious (1990)? Do your teachers have inservices that pertain character development/current AIDS info/CPR training(1997) effective parent involvement etc... Does your school have a nurse? a DARE type program/adult education program/Vocational Ed program/Seat Belt Law/ RR crossing Gates/school speed zone flashers. Yes, you probably have these things in place. But... did you know that your state PTA probably lobbied for them and at the National level too?

Though PTA is not a political organization, they do lobby. Unfortunately, those aged 18-30 years old do not go out and vote. Not in local or national elections. I am guessing they probably are not inclined to lobby for anything either, or even know what is going on in their cities, and states. These just happen to be the ages of parents of our students in our schools right now. It does not surprise me in the least to have PTAs jumping ship to PTOs. Legislation does not seem to be on many peoples agenda. It does frighten and sadden me. Without debate PTA is "the largest child advocacy group in the nation" So when your school has finished furnishing radios and telephones to the playground staff with direct links to 911 think of PTA and when you sit there across from your child teacher at conferences think of PTA. Am I worried that PTAs are disbanding? You bet I am.

Hopefully our PTA leaders will find a better way of conveying these things instead of worrying about PTOs fundraising.
I am sorry this is so long.

[This message has been edited by plw (edited 11-04-2001).]

HI all,

I just got back from the Oklahoma State PTA Convention. Sylvia Ostos from the National PTA gave a speech today and asked how many people in the room received or read PTOtoday magazine. After some people raised their hands, she gave them dirty looks and said, "Well, you may be aware that they had a national convention, too. But did you know it was ALL ABOUT FUNDRAISING?" Implying, of course, that PTO's only care about making money. I can't believe she said that, especially when they practically forced you (at the OK PTA convention) to go mingle with vendors. They even had special cash and prize drawing for getting a card signed by each and every vendor. I'm really having mixed emotions about the PTA organization, and it wasn't just because of the convention. Please, someone tell me they weren't right about the PTOtoday convention!?

Thanks, Cynthia