Michigan mom- you are so far off base with your comments! Our school was a PTA and we've paid out over $1450. per year in dues for what!
Yes, there are classes you can take, been there done that and it wasn't worth the amount of money we've paid out in dues.
County support you say? I say bulls**t! When we needed county to help us out there wasn't one county person willing to step up to the plate. All we got was the "well, you know" garbage. Is that worth $1450 per year in dues? I don't think so!and neither did anyone in our school. That's why at our disaffiliation meeting only one person voted to stay PTA.
Now the other school in town is going through some heavy stuff and where is County? That's right,for their $2,370 per year they get no help either!! County just can't be bothered.
As far as the comment you made ultimately someones child will run this country one day, and what are the odds that it will be one of yours. Are you trying to say that because we're PTO that our children are stupid? Judging from the comments you've been making I'm pretty sure it won't be one of your kids either.
PTA/PTO it really doesn't matter. What matters is that you have bylaws and follow them, have people in there that can work together and bring in the best educational programs you can find. Children learn by example. When they grow up they're not going to turn around and say "this is all because my school was a PTA". It's time to open your eyes and face the facts that it's not the name of the group that counts, it's what your group does that counts!
Originally posted by michigansupermom: Yes Tim but remember that costs $400-700 to file for non-profit status!
In the scenario above you wouldn't need to file for the nonprofit status right away. IRS gives you a window (I believe it's 6 or 18 months, but I'm forgetting this Friday night) to apply after your organization has started. If you successfully apply within that window, then the designation is retroactive to your start date.
And, yes PTA does provide umbrella nonprofit status. But the fees for PTA affiliation average $1,000 per year, every year. The nonprofit application can seem pricey, but it's just a one-time cost that can save you thousands and thousands over just a ouple of years.
Trouble is many local parent groups don't take the time to read them or use those resources.
Agreed. And in this case -- or in the other possibility, which is that the group does know the resources, but the resources don't fit the needs of the group -- then it's pretty ilogical to keep paying (a lot) for services not used. At least in my opinion. Sounds like your group must feel it's getting good value -- that's great. In that case, then you're in the perfect spot.
You don't just let a PTA expire you have to properly dissolve.
Tens of thousands of nonprofits (not just PTAs) "expire" every year. If there are no funds left, then it's absolutely an option.
If your wondering why I am in your forums when I support the PTA so much it is because we all have good ideas.
Glad you are here. There are tons of other PTA supporters/members here as well, both frequent posters and frequent readers/lurkers. I hope you'll also offer your insight on the many other practical topics found on these message boards.
mum24kids I couldn't agree with you more. michigansupermom, We are a PTO and we have rules, by-laws, & guidelines we follow. We just don't have to answer to the state. We are all in it for the kids. You don't have to be rude & mean about it.
I would rather be associated with a non-profit group that has guidelines
Ouch...fifteen yards for unnecessary roughness. Not sure why you felt compelled to reactivate this post, michigan, but it's so unfair to blow onto the boards to imply that PTOs have no guidelines nor any sense of what they are supposed to be doing (in your other post).
When you spend more time on these boards, you'll find that most of us are on here because we have good ideas and we like to share and learn from each other--not bash what group we're from. It's no fun and a waste of time.
