We used to charge $5 per family, but dropped the dues several years ago. It had gotten to the point where we didn't want to have to differentiate between "members" and "nonmembers" when it came time to recruit volunteers for school projects. Now all our parents and teachers are automatically members. Haven't missed the dues income at all. I much prefer to be able to tell every parent they are welcome to get involved, without first asking for their $5.

Hey everyone, thank you for your input. I will pass along all your suggestions at our meeting on Monday.

I am really enjoying this website so far. Lots of great ideas and helpful people! I even figured out how to log in!

My stance on dues is that pretty much any scenario can work and they all have their pluses/minuses. I've been in:

Elementary PTO - $5-$10 dues per family
Middle School PTO - no dues
H.S. PTA - $10 per person dues dues

For elementary, the dues served the purpose of providing some small start up funds. But the more important benefit was the act of having a membership drive and forcing ourselves to market the organization and its benefits. Additionally, the small act of joining is one more step in commitment for parents (bringing them even closer to volunteering or serving as officers). That being said, once the membership drive was over there was no real distinction between being a member or not. Technically only members can vote, but our activities are pretty thoroughly discussed before they get to the point. The general membership action items are typically unanimous. Also - in our case, members get a school directory, which, if bought as a non-member costs the same as dues. So it really was more symbolic.

The middle school PTO had no dues, but parents barely know the organization exists. I think that's mostly a function of middle school - not a dues issue. Even so, I think it would be pointless to add dues into the equation.

The PTA is a different structure entirely. One area where dues make a difference is that only member families can apply for one of the $500 scholarships offered to seniors.

facts first;129496 wrote: Tim

I'm confused, you say that dues only brings in $400 or$500!
But you also say that paying national PTA dues cost groups over $1,000!
National PTA Dues are only $1.75, the Math just doesn't add up!

Ummm... I wasn't talking about PTAs here.

The average PTO I work with charges a couple of bucks for a family membership. And they often get 150-250 families.

PTAs are very different in several ways. 1. They must charge dues. 2. They must charge dues by individual (family memberships not allowed); and 3. The typical PTA dues is more like $6.

So PTAs wind up selling more memberships (2 to many families, as opposed to 1).

PTAs typically get to keep that same $300-$500 as PTOs do. It's just that PTAs have to charge an additional several dollars (roughly $1,000 total) that goes out to state and national.

Tim

PS -- My math on those PTA dues dollars isn't all that controversial. Not sure what the issue is. PTA's membership numbers and dues structure are public information. There are roughly 23,000 units and roughly 5.5 million members. State+National dues typically average more than $3.50-$4 combined. Anyone can do the math.

Tim

I'm confused, you say that dues only brings in $400 or$500!
But you also say that paying national PTA dues cost groups over $1,000!
National PTA Dues are only $1.75, the Math just doesn't add up!

no dues here, to be part of the group and participate. you just cant VOTE (supposedly) unless you pay the $5 per year fee. (oops, at the last meeting they let everyone there vote, and didnt ask about membership or not.....)

not everyone can afford dues (think title I schools) and its a bit counter to public school philosphy to demand them, i think. but in general ptAs HAVE to charge dues, ptOs, are more flexible. depends on your organizational structure.