I would remind the officers that they weren't elected on a platform. It is completely inappropriate for them to support any political issue as a PTO Board. They can't speak on behalf of their members because the members didn't elect them based on their political leanings -that wasn't part of the process. No matter how noble a school-related elective issue might seem, there will always be people who vote against it and they shouldn't assume every parent thinks just like them.
The IRS has rules about 501(c)3's and political activity. A 5010c3 cannot campaign for or against an elected candidate (think: school board member). However, the rules about lobbying aren't so clear-cut. Under certain conditions, the IRS allows 501c3's to lobby in an effort to influence legislation (think: new law to raise taxes for schools). But regardless of the nuances of the IRS code - it's a bad idea for a PTO to take sides in a political debate.
I know for us we would not state support or non support and any one item. It is forbidden in our by-laws. I know last year when I was voicing concern publicly at school board and county meetings about the state of the school budget for this year I was very careful NOT to use any information I had as PTO president to contact people. Also, anytime I sent correspondence about it I even went as far as to state that the information was from a private source, three moms that were concerned and did not have anything to do with the PTO, school, school board reps, or school district in any way.
What we can do, although never have, is make sure that parents are educated on governmental items that will impact their children. We can share information, such as when information meetings are, etc. It is acceptable to share information but VERY dangerous, and could impact your 501c3 status, to specifically support or not support any one item/person.
I was appalled at our last PTO meeting. Our board, principal and other volunteers sat there while the president said they thought it would be the "right thing to do" to write a letter of support for an upcoming referendum vote happening in our school system.
I, for my own personal reasons, am against this referendum and I knew a few others were too. They were afraid to let their true feelings be known.
Someone did say that they did not like this idea, as we are NOT a political group, and what if everyone was not for this refereundum....then, they motioned to NOT do it, but instead wanted to have the board take a photo in front of a Vote Yes sign and put it in the newsletter.
I think the whole thing is wrong....any thoughts out there?
