<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by KC Swan:

If you are not joining the PTA solely because of your principals, or because of the school's principal, what benefit are you and your children receiving beyond the warm glow of knowing you are right?

Very good point... and I thank you for it. I still volunteer and help out with whenever parents are needed; so not only my kids, but all kids up there receive the benefits of my participation. Its just painfull to see such a waste of human capital; having meeting after meeting encouraging folks to join and proudly proclaiming how wonderful it is to finally be a PTA, while doing didley squat.

"Get over it" was the wrong advice. "Move beyond it" is what I'm really trying to say. Take a good look at your own motives, and decide if they are in alignment with, or opposed to, your desire for your kid's school to be the best it can be.

I think I'll go with the "move beyond it" advice. Since its rather painfull to sit through the meetings at this point, I'll just stick with my normal volunteering and when they finally get around to doing something for the school, I'll be there. I had been attending and supporting the meetings because I wanted to present that "united front" and wanted to set an example of support for all of our former PTO members to help out with the new organization. That is one of the reasons why this forum has been some helpful in allowing me a place to gripe without creating any undue friction at school. I sincerely thank you all.
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<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>The third option of the PTO folks agreeing to lead as PTA members was rejected out of principal. <hr></blockquote>

Was that rejected out of principal, or by the principal. And if it was indeed out of principal, I can't help but wonder if it was out of principal, or out of spite.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Am I wrong to be annoyed?<hr></blockquote>

You certainly have a right to be annoyed. You previously investigated the question and reached a conclusion. The new principal came in with his own conclusions, and did not appear (to you at least) to be willing to examine the issues without bias. As it turns out, because he is the principal, and he does have a great deal of say about what goes on at his school, he was able to force through the creation of a PTA.

You fought. You lost. Get over it.

If being involved in the school is important to you, then you need to ask if this fight is worth continuing. Is it worth being miserable about this? If you are not joining the PTA solely because of your principals, or because of the school's principal, what benefit are you and your children receiving beyond the warm glow of knowing you are right?

"Get over it" was the wrong advice. "Move beyond it" is what I'm really trying to say. Take a good look at your own motives, and decide if they are in alignment with, or opposed to, your desire for your kid's school to be the best it can be.

Am I wrong to be annoyed?

We just had another "meeting" and the basic thrust was, "we have x members and we want x+100. If you want to help us, join and we will listen to your opinion." There was absolutely no discussion on doing anything except accepting the "Seed money" from the PTO to pay the fees for PTA membership that there aren't enough members yet to finance.

Meanwhile, the year goes by and nothing is being done for the kids or teachers beyond getting "members". Privately, I've suggested to the PTA president that we should stress participation more than membership, but so far, that's not been the case.

I'm sure that its getting better, but times a wastin'

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SFilak:
I am not of the thought of PTA versus PTO. I think both groups do a tremendous amount of good work. There is nothing stopping you from doing the exact same things you were doing before your O was changed to an A. If things aren't going the way that pleases you, either join and change it, or sit back and do nothing. Whats done is done. ...Sorry for the rant.
Suzi PMS<hr></blockquote>

I didn't see it as a rant at all, just an expression of opinion, and I greatly appreciate it.

I have tried to go on a third option, which is to help out as much as possible without joining. If that means that all I can do is help setup tables, take out trash, or nod happily and keep my mouth shut, that's what I'll do. This forum has just allowed me a place to vent without worsening the atmosphere at school.

However, there are a few things that stop us from doing the exact same things as before... according to the bylaws, we cannot conduct business without 20 members (although apparently 7 members ammended that to say 7 member quorum), we cannot work jointly with other community groups unless its a group approved by State, upon dissolution we could only distribute our remainng funds to chariatabe groups approved by State, we cannot allow someone who has time, but no money to chair a committee unless they pay their financial dues, ... there is more, but this is about the point where I really begin to annoy folks.

I don't know what the principal's "real" objection to our PTO group was. He told us that he had never heard of any parent group other than a PTA, he had always worked well with PTA's, he felt that our county only recognized PTAs in their admnistrative procedures, and finally he felt that we had liabilty issues that a PTA did not. We addressed, and I felt, satisfied all of those, but apparently there was something else that annoyed him... I don't know.

Thanks all of you for helping me deal with this.
O

The insurance issue with PTA varies by state. National PTA does not provide coverage for local units, but some states include insurance in the state dues.
from NATIONAL PTA WEBSITE
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>: Many states provide additional assistance to their units including providing insurance and tax exemption coverage. Other parent organizations, booster clubs, etc. do not have a larger organization supporting them and providing such benefits.

Your state PTA can provide you with more information on becoming affiliated with the National PTA<hr></blockquote>

I guess it all depends on what state you are from. Also National PTA's portion of dues is $1.75(an increase of .50 from last year.) I can't remember off the top of my head (and my papers are out in the car where its pouring rain)but I think NYPTA dues are also $1.75 and we charge $5 p/person. We do not pay any council dues, I believe that is up to the council itself.

I am not of the thought of PTA versus PTO. I think both groups do a tremendous amount of good work. There is nothing stopping you from doing the exact same things you were doing before your O was changed to an A. If things aren't going the way that pleases you, either join and change it, or sit back and do nothing. Whats done is done.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>We had adopted PTA BYLaws (with less than the required 20 voters) , and then at the first meeting (which was closed to a non-dues payer such as myself), they proceeded to violate those bylaws with abandon. Issues such as what constitutes a quoroum, advance notice of meeting, and the makeup of the executive board were all disregarded by a group of 7 members. <hr></blockquote>

Roberts Rules and your bylaws are great guidelines. But believe it or not, noone from state or national is going to know (or probably care)if you color outside the lines a little.(or even alot) Not every organization is a cookie cutter of national PTA, and there are MANY grey areas for different groups. Its not about meetings or boards or A's or O's. Its about the children and doing the best we can to supplement and enrich their education experience. Sorry for the rant.

Suzi PMS