In the past our PTO has spent money as voted on but not within the Non profit status they were operating under. Meaning they did not consider "the whole" just whatever. There was really little control and poor record keeping. The article in the PTOtoday magainze shed alot of light on HOW it is suppose to be done. We have made great changed in operating for the "benefit of all" ... teachers have been resisted this change but they are coming around. We have really made lots of changes, all of them for the good, the whole and setting things on the right track,,, the fustrating part is the revoling door of parents and involvement,,, ie. the next group may not know or care to know.
Good article,, ,thanks PTOtoday for publishing it, keep it up, we want more!!
Here's my two-cents: No one person should be making ANY spending decisions! You have bylaws telling your parent group how to run business and you need to vote - with a quorum present or whatever your bylaws requires. Also, use common sense. You are a parent group, what are your goals? Ultimately, the parent group wants to do things to encourage family involvement, volunteerism and bettering the school/educational experience of children.
Also, I hope that you are attending your parent group meetings if you have issues about how money is being spent. If you don't bother voicing your opinion during a meeting, then PLEASE...don't voice it at all! I'm not saying that you don't attend meetings or involved, but I'm saying that if you arent', then you have no right to complain! My advice is to attend your parent groups next meeting and bring up your concerns and let them explain to you how the decisions were made to spend or not to spend.
I have been an active PTA leader for several years and the expenditures vary from year to year. We do generally budget for a staff appreciation week, nurse appreciation, etc. but the food is donated and the gift is nominal. Recently we have turned away from individual gifts and have gotten the teachers one group gift such as water for the teacher's lounge or a ceiling fan for the teachers' lounge. Something that the whole group benefits from.
We are not in a position to tell you what your PTO should spend funds on. Your PTO and its by-laws will tell you. What goes on at the meetings? What does the budget say?
Our by-laws are vague: "support student enrichment." Therefore, at every meeting we discuss this role. Sometimes it is obvious (books or computers) and other times it is not so clear. BUT, we discuss, add our thoughts, and my role as Pres is to simply keep the conversation on task and try to come to some conclusion.
It is not at all unusual to spend PTO funds on teachers, principals, custodians, librarians, playgrounds, gym balls, whatever YOUR SCHOOL sees fit.
me too! I want to know if most groups have it in their by-laws how money is spent. I have been crucified recently because I wouldn't approve a large expense for a party for the teachers. I sure would love to read some other group's by-laws regarding this..
Shelly
I'm wondering if anyone can tell me just what the PTO should be spending money on. The PTO at my child's school is spending money on luncheon for the teacher, gift cards for staff, supplies for the drama club, etc. and we are not talking small amounts. I would like to know just what this 501 (3) (c) tax law is, I did read a article in your magazine a couple months ago about being careful on what you are spending PTO money on, I can't remember the title but it dealt with the tax law above. Can you tell me more? And I may have that tax law twisted. Thanks for any information you can give me.
A concerned parent [img]smile.gif[/img]
