Establishing a PTO can be overwhelming. PTO Today offers some great resources to help get you started if you purchase their PLUS membership, so check out the information on this site. Membership or not, it costs nothing to be part of these Forums and folks are good about helping. There are lots of people here who will share and give advice.
There are basically two things that go on at the same time: 1) Establishing your programs and activities 2) Setting up the business infrastructure for your organization
#1 is no doubt what most of your members are focusing on. PTO = field trips, bake sales, fundraisers, Bookfair, Teacher Appreciation...(and the list continues). But the fact is that a PTO is charitable non-profit organization and needs to be run with good business practices.
That makes #2 critical. The basics steps to that part are:
** Organize your group to include strong bylaws, financial controls, and other good procedures and best practices
** Explore and begin working on those items processed at the state level. -- Incorporation as a non-proift -- Sales tax exemption -- Any local/state requirements such as registering as a non-profit fundraiser or getting a permit such as running a Bingo game
** Apply for your 501(c)(3) status as a charitable organization with the IRS/Federal government -- This is the "biggie", It requires that some pieces, like your bylaws, be done in a way the IRS will accept. And if you want incorporate (state level), you do that BEFORE this application. The application to file is not trivial but many of us have successfully done it. And the fee is $750.
You can't do everything at once. Figure out your priorities and start. Search through older postings here in the Forum and feel free to ask questions.
I am the PTO President of a brand new elementary school and have no idea where to begin when it comes to making our organization official. By laws, incorporating, tax exempt status...I'm lost :confused: Is there anyone who can hold my hand and tell me the steps to get things started?
