I would probably go for the treats but the $200 for steaming the gowns is a little out there. I guess my number one concern is that most of your group's expenditures seem to benefit only a small percentage of your students. Do all the other teachers get such large sums of money for projects?

It sounds like you're stuck for this year's debts, but I would certainly push next year for a formal budget to be voted on and approved by the GENERAL membership so that everyone gets a say in how money is spent and so that the budget gets laid out in a fashion that will benefit the majority of students in a fair and equitable manner. Guess your first inquiry though should be what kind of fundraisers are planned for next year so you don't go broke!!

We purchase food for our field days and do not charge our kids. I think that is pretty much the norm for most PTO's. However, that is not your problem. Your problem has been the continued MISMANAGEMENT OF PTO FUNDS - which seems to be CONTROLLED by a few people and not the general membership. Almost like a closed organization... :eek:

I have just been elected to be a 'co-chair' in our PTO. This PTO has never had a 'treasurer, secretary, or any formal organized fashion that I am accustomed to. No minutes. Nada. I started taking minutes and already we are running into problems. The 2 people who remain from the 'old' team see no problem that they took almost a $2000 loss at their X-mas fundraiser and there are alot of freebies going out. We are giving $500.00 and $300.00 grants to two teachers for items they need which I am totally in favor of but today we discussed what money we have left after other expenses such as $1000.00 for awards for the graduating 5th grade, FREE concessions for all students at our Field day this week (this will cost us about $400.00)..oh! and $200.00 to have the graduate gowns steamed so these kids don't look 'wrinkled' (although they had their pictures taken in the same 'wrinkled garments.(they look fine, by the way)(2 of the co-chairs have graduates---go figure) After we pay for a bill for almost $3000.00- which is one year in arears- due to the previous volunteers botched attempt at a fund raiser and other misc. things we have gone from a balance of over $9000.00 to under $2000.00. I shared my opinion that it is ridiculous to have a fund raiser to take a loss and that we should reconsider the 'free' food ($400.00!!!) we are giving away. They are staunchly arguing that some kids don't get 'treats' and that it is a way to let all the kids have a treat. I tried explaining to them that we will have NO money to give out grants next year if we are not careful. They don't want to budge and I feel so frustrated. They have never followed any by-laws and claim that they don't have any. I'm confused. There are no official 'goals'and no budget. Does anyone out there agree with me? I left feeling like I was the crazy one and a big 'meany' for not wanting to give away $400.00 worth of 'free' snow cones and popcorn. Can anyone give me any advice on how to approach this so that we don't go under? The principal looked sick when we told how little we would have left. Also, I looked at the ending balance last year and it was $11,000 which the previous prez did a wonderful job of blowing and now we are at this point!! I'm rambling now! Sorry. I hope someone has some advice! Thanks!