AES - if you wanted to get some people fired up, you've come to the right place. I'm not expert at this site YET, but . . . .
"I work full time and unlike
the "career pto" moms who have time to sit around and come up with every different fundraiser"
I, too, work full time, outside of the home. I have learned that those who do not necessarily bring in a paycheck - those "stay at home moms" - work harder than I could ever hope to.
That said, I still recognize that without PTO and people who organize it - my school wouldn't have much computer software, equipment like an Ellison Die Cut Machine, extra swings (like more than 8 for a 550 student elementary school) teacher appreciation events, cultural arts assemblies, a DARE program, transportation to/from field trips, or many of the other "luxuries" that they have become accustomed too. For those reasons and the two that I kiss goodnight every night - I get up early to research the best fundraisers, meet late with committees to discuss such things as fundraisers and upcoming events. Spend lunch hours cooridnating scheduling of school property with the principal and our park district who co-own our gymnasium for things like the mom/daughter, father/son events, the cafeteria for Market Day and the library for Book Fair. Some of my free time is spent on the school's school improvement team and technology committee.
Lest you think I am complaining - nothing could be further from the truth - while it is not my religion (Catholic, thanks for asking and I manage to squeeze that in at least once a week as well!) it is something of great concern to me. The opportunity for my children to have the best education possible, and for me to play a part in that, is important to me.
If you don't want to sell the cookie dough, THEN DON'T. Just call the coordinator of the event, ask what they are projecting each child will sell, ask the profit on it and write a check. You can now take a deduction on your taxes as you've made a contribution to an organization and not received goods or services for that donation.
As for the "one more way that the PTO can benefit" comment - I would let you know that I have a box the size of a copy paper box full of folders for PTO (and no, I don't worship it every day as you might think). There are so many opportunities out there that sound like "no brainers" that if we did them all I would have a room full. My suggestion, however, since you believe so strongly in seeking out these no brainers instead of selling things, is that you attend the next PTO meeting at your school, raise your hand, and volunteer to do the research, set up, and manage just a few of them. Don't worry, you won't be part of the "inner circle" unless you want to be, but be careful - you might find that the good you do for the students of that school is something that you can't help yourself - you'll keep doing more and more.
Thanks to all who let me vent. I'll probably come back and read this later and just delete it - but I get MAD when people use the defense mechanism of "I work" or the "inner circle" as their reasons (scratch that - EXCUSES) for not being involved. Maybe YOU think your kids don't care that you are not always there to help because YOU WORK, but I'll bet if they were honest with you they will tell you differently. I'm NOT criticizing ANYONE for working outside of the home, I am saying that if you believe in it you can do both and if you don't, that's fine, too, but don't criticize those of us who do!
Sorry for the sarcasm.
Cathie
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[ 06-08-2002: Message edited by: IMovePeople ]
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