I read our bylaws and it mentions NOTHING about fundraising. Though our bylaws are a copy that was sent to us by the state PTA, and the only line we had to address was how much dues we would charge and when our meetings are. Everything else is a "form bylaw". I'm in Arizona...anyone know?
Like the above, it's recommended (and widely so) that if you hold a fundraiser that you adhere to the 3-1 rule. It is like Tim said, a recommended practice but not a hard and fast rule.
It is also true that both PTAs and PTOs or whatever, can do great things. As a PTA, you are reminded often about the fact that you do not exist to fundraise but rather fundraise to exist, but as the budgets get cut more and more, we do what we have to do and those of us from state on down, generally acknowledge that. Just don't let it become the primary function of your group.
I know where that belief comes from. Here's a quote from my state's fundraising webpage.
1. A PTA or PTSA is NOT a money making or money raising organization. The purpose of a PTA or PTSA is to promote the welfare of children and should be primarily carried out through educational means.
A. Educating members to better perform their duties in connection with children.
B. Educating parents and teachers to a better understanding of each other's aims and
viewpoints so they can cooperate more closely.
C. Educating the community to the needs of the schools and of other community enterprises working for the welfare of children and youth.
D. Educating the community to work against factors harmful to children and youth.
2. Material aid to the school is not the function of a PTA or PTSA. The PTA serves as a liaison to help the community understand the problems and needs of education, and once the need is established, the purchase of materials and equipment for public schools should come from the public budget. PTAs and
PTSAs should provide service, not material things for the school or children.
So if you just read this (which is not from the bylaws), you think "no fundraising." Actually, my state has recently substantially improved its website to go on from the above and acknowledge that fundraising is necessary, then it sets out some guidelines for the fundraising. However, many other states just put policy statements out there like the above, and it gets people all confused.
If PTAs weren't allowed to do fundraising, then the National PTA wouldn't have a fundraising guidebook out there on its website....
Originally posted by Bertha: No, thats not true. Our State bylaws say that for every 1 fundraiser you do you must provide 3 programs or events free of charge.
As an FYI, I'd wager pretty strongly that the "3-to-1 rulle" is not in your bylaws. Rather, it's a recommended practice. Many PTAs are under the impression that it's a bylaw and therefore mandated. The spirit of it is solid, though. Having your group thought of as a "just a fundraising machine" is a big negative.
If you knew Bertha you would know that she wants despereately to switch to a PTO for other reasons.
All PTO's and All PTA's are not created the same. The fact that your PTO doesn't operate the way it should is because of the people in charge and not the organization itself. There are many PTO's that do a lot more then fundraise and buy furniture (actually the furniture buying should be the job of your BOE and not the PTO)
Our PTO does about 11 events free of charge (some are for the kids, some for parents, some for the whole family and even one for grandparents). We even give the kids a carnival with all the works that costs thousands of dollars and it is free to the students.
Like most things it is the people in charge that make or break the organization. Both PTA's & PTO's and any other letter combination in use can do wonderful things if the people in charge really want what is best for the school, kids, & the community.
