You should double check the PTA rules...I am in a different state, but you can write co-presidents into the bylaws. Although... I was a PTA co-president a couple of years ago and it wasn't the best situation. Also you at least in MA you can have as many meetings per month two would definately be allowed you just have to write it into your bylaws. Especially for the reasons you stated. We would love to be able to fit in two meetings at different times but no one on the board has the time. Also if members can't afford the dues we use a fundraiser and submit the dues for them...we have a policy that everyone should be able to join regarless of income.
Good Luck

Thanks so much Mike. We are definitely considering joining. We get the PTO Today magazine and it is terrific. It gives proper due to all the successes of parent groups, even if they aren't raising big money and don't have hundreds of members. Thanks for your words of support.

Stefanie

Stefanie,

From your post I can tell that you have given this a lot of thought. I am sure that your parent group will thrive with you as a resource.

I strongly recommend searching the message boards because there have been numerous posts similar to your post and lots of great replies.

Also - you should take a look at two of the products we provide at PTO Today. First is the Start-up Expert Guide Start-up Guide Information . The Start-up Guide walks you step by step through the process of establishing a new parent group.

You should also consider joining PTO Today Plus Plus Information . By joining Plus, you can get the Start-up Guide for free and you also have access to all the other wonderful resources available to Plus members.

Good Luck!

- Mike

I would talk to the principal first then the teachers.I would then hold an informal meeting to see if you would get enough support from the parents. Have an agenda as to why you want to become a pto & what you would like to happen(ex: playground equip., fun nights, technology, $ for field trips....) Ask if anyone would be interested in being President, V.P., Secretary, Treasurer. I would set up another meeting to vote the board in. Then get your EIN # from the state. Set up fundraisers. Apply for the 501c3(there's alot on this,just surf the boards). Also you will need by-laws. Always have an agenda , minutes, & treasurer's report at every meeting. You can email me for a copy of my by-laws if you'd like.
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I hope this helps. Good luck.
Renee

Hi There-

I'm the Parent Liaison (a paid district position) at an extremely diverse (both ethnically and linguistically) school in SF. We have wonderful families and parents who will come out and help whenever they are asked, but I would like to take the next step in formalizing a parent group and helping our parents to see themselves as the leaders they are. I have done extensive research on the PTA option, but feel like, at this point, trying to make the PTA model work at our school would be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. We would like to have co-presidents (not allowed in the PTA), we would like every parent in the school to be automatically considered a member with or without paying dues (not allowed by the PTA), we would like to hold two monthly meetings, one in the a.m. and one in the p.m., to accomadate all our parents (not allowed by the PTA due to voting rules). Many of our immigrant families work at night and are more available during the day, but of course, many families can only come at night, hence the two meetings.
I thought it might be easier to go with the PTA (despite all my reservations) b/c we would get support and the non-profit status would be easy to obtain, but after meeting with a PTA president from a school with a similar demographic, we have decided that for now, the PTA does not fit with our vision for a parent group. All that said, can someone give me an idea of how they began the "official" process of becoming a PTO? What kind of meetings did you hold to start things up? How did you run your elections?

Thanks and sorry for the length of my post. I have spent over a year thinking about which way to go with our group and am committed to making something happen in the new year.

Thanks so much. Stefanie