Financially, this is an issue, especially if she then takes tax deductions for these "donations". There should be two signers on the account to prevent this, and all money needs to be deposited immediately. Our PTO has fundraising money made payable to the school and the school writes the check directly to the PTO so it can't be circumvented. We request all checks from outside sources be made payable to the PTO, NOT with a name on them. For deposit only needs to be marked on the back of all checks as soon as they come in. The IRS may sanction the PTO if there is impropriety with "donations". Why risk it? Get the school board involved if necessary to keep your PTO safe.
Scooby -- At the very least you need to take immediate action to stop that financial practice you described. I'm not a lawyer, but it sounds flat out illegal -- she's essentially tricking the company into giving your group a large donation. That could be big trouble for her and your group as well.
Based on the problems you described, I think you need to remove the president from office if at all possible. This one financial practice and the other irregularities should be enough cause. As an interim measure, you might take her name off the bank account so she can't spend any money without the treasurer knowing about it. That might at least help.
We are also dealing with a president who is out of control. It's her fourth year in office, and she has basically taken over complete control of every aspect of the organization, going as far as circumventing the treasurer and allowing a committee chairperson to be reimbursed without receipts and then to take profits for the event, put them into her own bank account and then "donate" the money to the school so that her husband's company would match the "donation." And she's verbally abusive and flippant to PTO members who question her about her methods. My question: Has anyone else had to write bylaws limiting the powers of the president? And if you have, can you share them? We've never had a problem with checks and balances before, and I don't believe she's eligible to run again, but I think something should definitely be put into writing to prevent this kind of behavior from happening in the future and to give our members some piece of mind. If anyone has any advice, we can use it. Thanks.
Your story is ours as well. We have a first-time president (with no prior pto experience) who has basically tried to run her own agenda through the pto and has refused any mentorship, guidance, etc. We have had numerous meetings with her to discuss issues and she basically blows everyone off and tries to make her own unilateral decisions. More time has been spent trying to guide her into making sound decisions and people are tired. Sadly, people who were her friends no longer have anything to do with her.
She, too, has embarrassed the board on numerous occassions, is verbally offensive to the officers and board members, and the irony is, she does not see it. She is called the playground bully. What once was a very cohesive board, has deteriorated in a matter of months. It is now at the point where board members are tired of dealing with her and are circumventing her completely. People aren't coming to board meetings, relinguishing committee responsbilities (just so they won't have to work with her) won't respond to her emails, etc. The new principal is absolutely no help--he is exactly like her!
We all want to help the children and staff of our school, so we stay on behalf of them. But none of the 3 executive officers will be running for reelection next year. We are all finishing out our terms, and that is what I recommend to you. Stick it out, as painful as it is, for the sake of the children.
Hopefully people like this won't run for re-election next year. But, if so, steer clear. Life is too short to be treated so horribly. Unfortunately, people like this are all too common in pto's and pta's and that is a shame. And you wonder why no one wants to volunteer for this job!
This is really a hard issue to discuss, for me.
I have been VP of 2 yrs. And I enjoy volunteering and can gather the
Parents' to help at events andi know that handle my role very well.
Although it can become stressful , there is a limit of mistreatment and plain
Ol' immaturity that I can not put up with. I am a worker not a slacker.
That being said, I like the by laws to be followed with the conduct codes.
Professional and leadership.
not the case this year. Temper tantums and lack of meetings (funds)
A lot of the PROS have been out weighted by the CONS.
I can no longer be embarassed by our leader. With a holiday event to plan,
Do I wait or resign now. I will never have that happen again. It is too many
Times and talked about it. It is not going to stop. It hasn't in three years.
Any suggestions.?
