dlf & LUVMYKIDS---I am in complete agreement with you. I thought this seemed like common sense, but for whatever reason it appears to now be a problem with this board member. Her biggest concern is that this is done and it comes back to bite us. Unfortunately thank yous have not been done in the past years..and we wonder why people stop volunteering? Hmmmm.... (sarcastic). This idea was brought up at the end of last year because we see so many Non-proft groups, fundraisers, charity events, 4H etc that do thank you ads....and I had brought it up as an idea. What better to way to say thank you than to show your community and other communities how these companies are GREAT companies. It seemed to me that if you are lucky to get a company to donate a large item(s), a good $$ amount, a grant etc----why would you not blast it out there for the world to see...along with the individuals at the company? That Thank you---even though it costs the PTO some money---would most likely gain you more donations in the future and or the same company offering to help again. Everyone likes to be recognized. I do not like the idea of putting some guidelines in the bylaws---it seems to make it required and not personal and heartfelt. You feel you have to do it---the actual feeling of gratefulness is lost with requirements. As long as it is brought up and voted on...why not? I agree with asking the other board members if the majority agree---then it should happen. This type of thing does not happen very often at our school. But we are looking at our community for more help and this may happen more often. We are a smaller community---so there is a lack of larger companies----but we are looking at asking for help at times--and this may come up again. Typically with large dollar amount items.
Usually we have small donations of gift certificates, parent volunteers, parent donations etc for events. This we would acknowledge in our New PTO newsletter, we can also sign it on the local fire department sign, etc. But for something this big----more seemed appropriate. These companies took a loss on labor to help us out----why would we not acknowledge them in a big way---and maybe help them out in the long run with making other communities aware of their business? I know of a local business in an community close by that purchased a very costly item for a grade school. The PTO never said thank you. I ran in to a HR person for the company who said "We felt like they expected us to purchase it. They never said Thank you and never even acknowledged us". I did some research to find out that the PTO put up a flier in the school hallway acknowleging the company. But----who at the comapny woudl ever see that. They spent over 12,000 for that school to get really nothing----I think that is terrible. Heck I would have put it in the paper--or had a huge banner made saying Thank you _ _ _ _ _ (company) for donating....fill in the blanks.

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The groups in which I have been involved have always done their recognition in the school/PTO newsletter, on flyers that went home, and with signs at events. We've never used the newspaper, but this sounds like it was a huge project and if the majority of your group feels like this is the best way to let people know of this amazing show of generosity, then I say go for it.

We have no formal policy on recognition, it's just done because it's the right thing to do.

I don't see any problem with "where you draw the line". This was a huge, one time thing. Does this type of event occur frequently in your school?

You say "one person" disagrees. You know all of the groups I belong to, go with what the majority says, not with the decision of one person. If that person wants to argue their side of the issue then let them do that and then vote and see what the majority thinks.

Hi Deb--we don't list anything in our bylaws to share but COME ON....2 weeks of donated work that allowed you to come in under budget and saved over 50 percent on the costs of the project. Heck yes I'd say a thank you is appropriate and where do you draw the line--jeese louise--this isn't a right to life debate. Some things are so extraordinary (read EXTRA ordinary) that you need to step up and say thank you. You don't have to list the committee members by name but certainly a BIG shout out to the families for their support, the committee (S) for their hard efforts and then if someone needs a standard--let that be the one. And the next time you have a committee that completes at 15,000 dollar program requirement through donationed work and over 50 percent under budget--well DO IT AGAIN!!!

So many PTOs get bogged down in the minutia of debate that they miss the opportunity to make great things happen. If only one board member is against the idea, and it was an approved plan by parents last year...then poll the board officially to see what the tally is and if the naysayer loses thank him or her for their contributions to national defense and move on!!!

Can you tell I get riled by bureaucratic stuff...this isn't personal...it's just good business.

d

Hi----What seemed to be a very simple (Ha--should have know better, nothing is simple) idea is becoming a large issue for a few parents at our school. We were looking at posting a Thank you (ad) in a local community newspaper for all the work donated by a local playground company and a large group of parent volunteers. Our PTO re-did all the playgrounds at our Elementary school. THe committee was able to have new equipment installed (this was already purchased in prior years by old PTO's but had never been installed---another fun story) and all the old playground areas redone. We had company that does playgrounds donate all their labor and equipment for 2 weeks. They charged their bills for concrete, gas, grass seed, dirt and hay. they also gave us their mulch contact and we were able to get playground mulch for 14.00 a yard instead of the lowest price we could find of 23.00. We needed 300 yards. Needless to say---what should have cost us about 14,000-15,000 has cost us only 6100.00. They had a budget of only 10,000 to do whatever they could. What could not be done in that would have to wait. They managed to do all and more. The committe was going to put a Thank you listing this company and the other companies involved along with all the 20 parents that volunteered their Sat to come spread all of the mulch after the Playground had been prepped in the Community newspaper. This paper actual goes out to about 14 different communites besides ours. Last year when it was mentioned----the PTO Board and the parents there for the meeting were very receptive to that idea. THis year's there is a new person on the board and they are very uncomfortable with this idea. And really think that this is something that should not be done. They worry about where you draw the line...when do you put it in the paper...and when do you not? As a Board---originally it was thought that something where a company donates a LARGE amount of time or $ should be recognized publically and the newspaper was the only way. As for our wonderful events where the parents donate their hard earned time----we would recognize in the PTO newsletter, listing all the names. No recognition was ever given by past boards---and we are working on changing that. People shoudl always be thanked. So my question is......Do any of you list out something in your PTO rules that states how you recogize people? I have my thoughts on that---but really wish to hear outside parties thoughts.

Any thoughts or ideas would be great.
Deb