Your bylaws will also state how to become a member. Some PTO's have dues, others don't. With those that don't, generally each parent is automatically a member. If your principal is a PTO member, he probably can request a vote.
As far as installation, many PTO's don't have one. So if you were voted in at an election, you would be officers for the effective dates mentioned in your bylaws.
this is amillerg who had originally written about principal vs. pto...i want to thank all of you who replied, and gave me good information. i did check our bylaws, actually our bylaws are almost the same as pta except in our bylaws it doesnt have a section about Nominating Committees, but otherwise is identical. it mentions that if only one nominee for any office, then election for that office may be by show of membership cards or oice vote. well that is our case we are the only ones nominated or slated. and no one ran against us. we sent out a flyer saying who had been slated and if anyone else wnated to run to show up at meeting but still no one showed but us, (Now you see why we are triple D school...no parental involvement!) Anyways, as I understand it even though we arent officially installed by the principal yet, we are the ONLY ones running and nominated. So we are the officers. And we already voted not to be PTA so again I ask...how can he still call for a vote. And also I forgot to mention, we dont have any members...we are the only ones. So if no one has paid a membership then how can the parents vote? Dont they have to pay their PTO dues to have the ability? Thanks again to all who replied.
This certainly is a messy situation. I would definitely locate by-laws if possible. Aren't there other schools in your district with parent organizations who might be able to help?
Is the Principal micro-managing or have a hidden agenda? It smells "fishy". Why would a Principal care as long as he or she was getting a support group-the name should not be that important.
Our school changed back to PTO status after four years operating as a PTA. We were very disappointed in the lack of service and support from our state organization. The Reflections state recognition program was a disgrace and a total waste of time for our parents and children to drive to-miles across the state of Massachusetts. As president I rarely got e-mails answered-or it took forever from the state office.
We do not miss PTA status at all.
Good luck and keep up your desire to support.
Pat McDiarmid
Soule Road School PTO President
Wilbraham, MA. 01095
Yes definetly check your bylaws. st detemine who are your Executive Committee which usually is your officers, then who is your Executive Board usually officers plus chairs of certain committees and usually the principal.. Now as far as board decisions. You can vote as to what the board recommends but it is the entire membership that has the final say. If the membership wants to switch to a PTA( and it should say in your bylaws the % of votes required to do the switch) then yes your membership can override the executive Committees decision to remain a PTO...
A side note you can have a PTA and a PTO is the same school..A PTA is a child advocacy agency. Their primary focus is education and advococy for children. This does not include many of the tasks they do (such as yearbooks, pictures, etc). These things should be done by a PTO or other parent group.
But check your bylaws as to what role the prinicpal plays in the PTO organization. Then heck your bylaws on the requirememtns to dissolve the unit. There is nothing secret about PTA. You can get any type of information on them and can attend any of their workshops and conventions.
I'm wondering if along with the by-laws would this be something the school district would have information on? Also, I'm sorry to say this but WOW what a mess!
Is the principal being sold on an idea? What would be the possiblity of meeting with him, the person from the PTA, your team and someone to mediate (staff member? another parent?) There sure sounds like to me alot is going on but nothing is being communicated. Is there a way to contact the former PTO officers to get their advise or see what happened in the past? - There could be a second attempt by the Principal to start a PTA.
Please hang in there and if someone forgets to tell you, let me thank you for getting involved in your school. May the force be with you!!
Since there was a PTO previously, I would suggest you try to find the bylaws for this group. Most bylaws have "rules" for dissolving the group. In most cases, such a decision would have to be made by the membership, not just the executive board. Maybe the principal is overriding YOUR decision, but it's the decision of the membership that truly matters.
What's the scoop? Your group is newly rejuvenated & you don't technically have any members yet? Your bylaws would also state who would be eligible to vote.
If you have trouble finding the bylaws, see if you can get in touch with a former officer.
