Hi Kay! I am glad to hear that you still plan to attend meetings and stay involved. You say she is new at this....maybe after she steps on enough toes she will learn something and reign herself in. Or she can continue to allienate people and then deal with the ruins she has left.

Either way, I always find it better to take the high road. If she continues to behave badly she will do her own self in. Hang in there!

I think it's a shame that one person can drive away people. I know some may not be up for the fight but I do believe that instead of you all leaving, you should do something to let this person know that she is being uninviting and hurting the group she claims she is trying to help.
As for the issue of reimbursement, sure it's a rule in some of our PTAs but situations like yours can be handled in a way that would still allow you to be involved.
If she flat out refused to write out a check for the supplies, give her a list of what you need and when you need it. Let her go purchase the stuff.
If enough people do this, she'll figure out it's more work than she wants (hopefully) and revise her stance.

Thank you to everyone who answered my post. The woman that is president this year is brand new at this and i think she has it in her mind that she is going to make up her own rules. She has done some other things that have made some other people mad. I honestly think she is on a power trip. She has even called the high school principle a lier. She has made alot of enimies and alot of parents are upset because of the way she is doing things. I dont blame her for trying to make things better for our PTO, that is good, but she has done it in a way that discriminates against people....people who dont have the funds to do it her way. In the past i have purchased things as did everyone else and had always given reciepts to show where the money went. She is doing this to the whole group. I'm not the only one who has quit the board...others have too because of the way she is doing things. It truly hurts because i have volunteered my time because of the kids and doing my part. I still go to the meetings. I want her to know that even though i am not on the board i will still be involved and that i will still voice my opinion. I am going to mention the debit card thing. That is really a good idea. Thank you so much for your thoughts and ideas. I truly appreciate them. Kay.

We also added a debit card so we could make online or over the phone purchases. This is my 4th year and 1st year as Treasurer and I have never paid for anything our of my pocket unless I didn't get prior approval for it. There is absolutely no reason for you to have to use your own money for a PTO function and be at that mercy of someone to reimburse you whenever it is conveinient. Is there anyone in this group that will side with you on this isssue?

Hi Kay!

That is just terrible. Do we sometimes lay money out of pocket to purchase things & then get reimbursed?...sure we do, but it is not expected of us and certainly not for large amounts.

Prior to being on the board when I ran something that cost a lot of upfront layout the treasurer would give me checks and I would give her reciepts. If you know you need $200 then there is no reason why they cannot give it to you as long as you provide them with a receipt.

I think it is sad that you quit. All you can do is speak with the principal & the Superintendent so that they are aware of what happened. Can I ask what your relationship was like with these women prior to this happening? Is it possible they tied your hands so you would quit???

One thing we did this year that has been a great help was get a debit card on our checking account.
It also helps the treasurer too as she works full time and does not have to worry about getting checks to people all the time. I hand over the receipts to her as well as the fact that it all comes on the monthly bank statement. Another asset with this is that when people do lay out money I can get them cash immediately to reimburse them. The bank we use has a 24 hr ATM and there is no fee for us to withdraw cash. So they hand me a reciept and I get them their money back right away.

I am sorry this happened to you. This was really terrible on their part. You should tell them that the purpose of the PTO is volunteerism and not your bank account.

Hello. I have been on our PTO board for the past 4 years. I joined the new year taking over as High School Chairperson. Me and my co-chair were planning the Homecoming dance this year and really wanted to make it nice and to make some things that could be used for years to come. At our last meeting we were told that we needed to purchase the materials ourselves ( out of our personal accounts) and that PTO would reimburse us. The total bill was going to be over $200.00 dollars. I told the board that i could not do this as i didnot have the money to do this. My husband and i are living on one income right now because i had to quit my job due to an illness. The president of our group would not budge and said this is the way it is going to be. Another board member even went as far to say that maybe people should not join the group unless they have money. That really hurt so i resigned from my position. I was just wondering can the president do this (nothing about it is in the bylaws). I hated to quit but i was put between a rock and a hard place. What can i do about this? Thanks, Kay