Originally posted by michigansupermom: As you can see no one knows!!!
I believe this is the comment that started it. Is that any way to talk to someone? No!!!! I believe the original question was about what PTO stands for & what do they do. I don't think it was to debate against PTO vs PTA. Here in Michigan, our govenor has cut school funding alot. As a lot of schools here, we've all had major budget cuts. Our funding keeps getting cut......less programs....schools closing..... I haven't heard of MI PTA lobbying about this. WE are all in the same boat. WE ARE ALL IN IT FOR THE KIDS. My PTO doen't charge dues or membership fees. We want parents to come to our meetings & feel charging fees will chase 'em off.
[ 11-23-2005, 07:39 AM: Message edited by: Renee S ]
The mission and the object of the PTA includes but is not limited to: supporting and speaking on behalf of ALL children. To promote the welfare of children and youth not only in the home, but in the schools, and the community, To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of ALL Children and youth and to secure a quality education for ALL children. In order to do this the organization has a lobbying office in Washington DC. This is completly legit. Be thankful for their lobbying, because many of the laws that are protecting all of our children today were PTA initiatives.
Originally posted by kmamom: I can't see how The PTA keeps its nonprofit, tax exempt status with the IRS with all the lobbying it does. Tim? Can you shed some light on this?
IRS doesn't define a precise lobbying percentage of $$ or efforts or focus that are acceptable. But there is some gray terminology about lobbying not being primary or not being a major portion of efforts or something. And -- from what I can tell -- IRS doesn't spend a lot of time defining or enforcing that particular regulation.
That said, I suspect the PTA is well within acceptable limits on lobbying by 501c3s.
remember that "lobbying" has a very fine line to walk when it comes to 501(c)3s, and I can't see how The PTA keeps its nonprofit, tax exempt status with the IRS with all the lobbying it does. Tim? Can you shed some light on this--it's been bugging me and I can't seem to find the answers.
501 (c)3's cannot support or endorse candidates, but just as the American Cancer Society, The Heart Association, and many, many other worthy "non-profits" lobby in Washington for their causes, the PTA informs (lobbies) members of congress on matters concerning parents and education.
While the NCLB is not perfect, it is an improvement on what was there in the past.
And the requirement for Parent Involvement in schools benifits ALL! PTA's PTO's and especially children!
