The same thing just happened to our school and I am wondering who is responsible for pressing charges?I think that she is making restitution,but that just isn't enough for me and I want to make sure that she is held accountable for this!!!!!
our kids dont sell any cookie dough or any of that stuff, either. only direct donation from parents, and corporate donation matching program, brings in more than enough. we are a registered non profit so that makes all donations bonafide tax deductible and helps in soliciting $$$$. the only work is to send out a letter for tax purposes. much easier and quicker than sorting thru pizza orders and cookie dough, and keeps the kids focused on schoool and not tons of fundraisers that kids shouldnt have to be part of anyway at school.
I'd do a direct giving campaign. Write people a letter asking them to write you a check, and telling them the kinds of things you hope to do with the money you raise. Set a realistic but optimistic goal -- $5000? Our kids shouldn't have to do the fundraising. Even "penny wars," though they can be fun, take classroom time to manage, time that I suspect the educators have a better use for.
I'm blessed to be part of a parent group that uses direct giving, scrip, an auction, and a few other minor, adult-focused fundraisers to get the money we need to supplement the meager Seattle School's budget. (Our favorite "minor" fundraiser is a night at a local bar when established and impromptu parent bands perform. We pay a $10 cover that goes directly to the school, and after 9:00 we get a small percentage of the bar till. Really fun way to get to know the other parents in your school community.) Our kids don't sell wrapping paper, magazines, chocolate, or anythign else.
Try it. I'm pretty sure you'll be surprised wiht the results.
I just heard this happening to a school here in Colorado. It's crazy.
Do NOT let your coordinators make deposits. Only the Treasury or Pres make deposits or have any dealings with the bank.
Write a letter to the parents, lay out your budget be it a pie chart or an excel spreadsheet.
this way, the parents know what you're raising for and what the budget is being spent on.
Invite them to your PTO meetings to "VOTE" on the issues and Grant Requests. Tell them to let their voice be heard.
I wrote in my newsletter: "last year we raised 26K from our fall giftwrap, come to our next PTO meeting and let your voice be heard. Don't let 15 people decide how to spend YOUR money"
(we still don't get a huge turnout) at our meetings.
Go and ask for corporate or local business sponsorship. Frontier Airlines, local news channel, local electric companies etc...
I agree with everyone that the first step is regaining the trust of the parents...having a transparent treasury is critical.
I'd also suggest not accepting cash anymore...I know that's tough, but it is the easiest way to get ripped off. A district near me is missing $17000 because they accepted cash, and that cash was never deposited. It leaves an organization very vulnerable to theft.
This will take years to repair and gain back the trust of your parents and teaching staff.
It needs to be communicated that you have put TWO signatures on every check that the PTO writes.
You actually need 3 approved people to sign checks.
We have a policy in place, if the check is made out to one of the signors, they CANNOT sign a check made payable to themselves.
Make this policy - two signatures required on every check, and you cannot sign a check made out to yourself. Even if the check is 50 cents. You can't afford this to happen.
