Thanks Tim, that helped out a lot. Is there a place to go, or book to read that will help with the writing of the bylaws? I am willing to put out some of my own money to get something, but I don't want to spend a fortune.
Basically you're startimng a new group with no legal or technical connection to your old group. At the start of any new group, there needs to be officers (usually the people doing the organizing of the new group) and then a system in place for elections and replacement of officers down the road.
So yes, you could say your old PTA officers will be the new PTO officers. It wouldn't technically be because you were the old PTA officers (there'd be no mention of that in your new organizing documents), but that's probably a simple way to start.
You need to write new bylaws (they can be very similar, but this transition time is a nice opportunity to make changes if you need some), so the new bylaws can include this original start-up phase on officers.
If you really wanted to get fancy, you could name some start-up officials (maybe your old PTA board, maybe not) for the organizing steps and then arrange for new elections right away. But I'd say -- unless your members desire new elections -- you're probably fine having your old PTA officers also be your new PTO officers until the next regular election comes up on the calendar. That's the least disruptive way to make the switch.
Thanks for your help. I went there and found a few more details. I am looking now for information on the legistics of getting the new PTO going. Are the founding members (our existing PTA Executive Committee) the officers of the new PTO?
Hi! On this page there is some information that can help you www.ptotoday.com/ptofaq.html#3
There is a section there titled "How to we change from a PTA to a PTO".
We are thinking about disbanding our local PTA unit. I have read our bylaws and I know the steps we need to take. The part I am confused about is starting our new PTO. Do we keep the same officers that we have right now under PTA?