Just thought I would let you know I am still here! I appreciate all the responses. I have found them to be both educational and entertaining! I can't wait till I have some extra time to cruise around this site some more. I have already picked up a lot of useful information and ideas. Experience is definitely the best teacher-Even if it is someone elses!

About midway through this thread, "Hello" mentioned 501c3. I think that's definately the deciding factor on this issue. (For the sake of my response, I will assume your PTO [private school] is the same as my PTO [public school] in the eyes of the IRS.)

When we applied for 501c3 status, we were advised by the IRS to stop giving the teachers classroom supply money upfront (which is, in essence the same thing as a bonus because we gave out their $100 checks carte blanche). As a portion of our total expense budget, those checks accounted for about 10%. With that high a percentage, and no supporting receipts, the IRS said that method was a little too gray for a 501c3 organization.

We have since given each teacher an amount they can request in reimbursement throughout the year,by turning in their receipts. I never look at the receipts, and our PTO does not evaluate the merits of the expenses; we trust that our teachers spend way more than we give them on things for the kids. It's just a way for the PTO to help offset some of their personal out-of-pocket expenses.

Thanks JHB and Metzymom (glad you didn't resist)! I've printed your response for the treasurer & we have already discussed changing the way "it's always been done" and going to the receipt-then-reimburse method. And, you can bet I'll be using your "shopping cart" method! Love it!

This forum is great because of the wealth of diverse ideas, and the fact that we do exchange lively opinions. No one owes any apologies - you are all wonderful!

I agree, salaries and bonuses should be paid by the employer. I think I omitted a critical point in my part of discussion. In cases I was familiar with of small private schools using parents' group to run big ticket fundraisers, the money went directly to the church/school. It was a stated plan that the parent group act as the volunteer arm of the school/church in these fundraising areas - not that they act as the financial intermediary.

What I meant to convey was that whether or not the parent group should take on this project might depend on what the parent group was formed to do. However, I can't think of a case where I'd favor the money going through a parent groups' accounts (if they even have their own account).

Everyone have a great day.

Don't look so surprised! You knew I wouldn't be able to resist...lol...

I do think that bonuses are paid TO employees BY employers. It is kind of a gimme. However, as JHB stated, and IMovePeople concurred, it depends on your Mission Statement. It is the other question that I want to address. Teachers must have receipts. That is the bottom line for your Treasurer. If there are no receipts, and let's say the IRS steps in for whatever reason, your Treasurer must account for all the money. Your Treasurer. Not the Teachers. In a perfect world, we would all be honest and have upstanding morality. This is not a perfect world...lol... Unfortunately, the reality of it is that no matter how honest 99% of your teachers are, there is always going to be that one. Even by accident. We, as fundraisers on behalf of our children, are held accountable for every dime. Could the Treasurer write you a check for $100 without a receipt or one forth coming? Doubtful. You can say you spent it on something, but as my Grandmother used to say, The Proof Is In The Pudding. Receipts keep everyone honest, they prove the money went where you told the parents it would go, and they keep your Treasurer and your whole group out of a possible audit problem down the road.

And lastly, I would like to address the last issue re:

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> I should add that as the new pres., I've been told (warned?) by the outgoing pres. & treas. not to change too many things... <hr></blockquote>

First, just because 'it has always been done that way' doesn't mean it was done well. As the new Prez, I would suggest using the shopping cart method (and I would explain it to the Exec. Board this way). Take your 'shopping cart' through the files and events and all the other stuff, taking what you need and leaving the stuff you don't need. If 'it has always been done that way' was so great, then our school would have run 9 fundraisers again last year. That was the way 'it has always been done'. I ran two and made more money than we ever had. I think our Principal summed it up best when I took office last year. She said, and I quote: "Elizabeth, this is your PTVO. Do what you want, what you think is right". Now, while I could have taken HUGE advantage of that, I chose instead to make more educated choices than had been made before. It shouldn't matter what has always been done. I mean, really, before panties there were bloomers, before washers and dryers there were rocks, more rocks and the sun...lol... before lightbulbs there was darkness... Don't let old ghosts run your PTO. OK... I'm done now.

Thanks IMovePeople for responding to my question...and my apologies to JHB (and everyone else) for introducing another topic! [img]redface.gif[/img] Just another reason Live Chat would be great!

[ 06-14-2002: Message edited by: HappyToHelp ]</p>