Thank you for your responses. I'm glad to know that my thinking lines up with all of yours. I think I will just do my best to unofficially spread the word. I'm sure that will help, as our secretary is very beloved at our school (she was once PTO pres when her kids were at our school!). Oh, and yes, I have already made my personal donation to her travel fund [img]smile.gif[/img]

If its not education related (children or the school) I'd say no.

There's nothing thats says on your own time you and the memebrs can use your network, PTwhatever knowlege and techniques to help assist.

ie 'No part of the net earnings of the nonprofit shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to any director, employee or other individual, partnership, estate, trust or corporation having a personal or private interest in the nonprofit'

Since we are all on the same page about how this could be a sticky issue how about this... give her the names and ideas of fundraisers that she can take with her to the choir and raise funds for the trip. One that comes to my mind is a CD of the choir sold at their church for $5 or so.
Many resturants support church groups as well as schools. Worth checking into.

I agree though, it's a hard role to keep seperated.

Consider the non-profit implications, too. A "fundraiser" done under the PTO's name for a non-school choir trip for an individual doesn't sound like it fits into the IRS's definition of "exempt purpose". We wouldn't do anything like this using the PTO's name. Perhaps a bunch of parents and/or teachers would want to coordinate a fundraiser as a personal favor to her, not as a school or PTO-related function.

writermom - It's terrific that you think so highly of your school's secretary that you want to help her in this endeavor. My own group's success is owed in large part to the ladies in the school office.

Yet, as ever, I agree with LUV, pals and CapeDad. I, too, think that an official effort by the PTO would send a conflicting message. You could put yourself in a position to have to decide who's personal needs are worthy of your assistance and who's aren't. Having a blanket policy (whether it's addressed in bylaws or not) protects you from this.

I'd even go so far as to say that you not announce it at your meeting. Your minutes are public record. Other parents/staff will read it and rightfully request the same "air time" from your group.

As a parent group you probably have a great network within the community and could do an awesome job spreading the news through un-official, informal methods. And you go a long way towards showing your personal appreciation and friendship by making your own individual donations to her travel fund.

"Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?"- Frank Scully