I'm not sure what is right and what is wrong but we as a PTO decide on upcoming fundraiser's and let our parents know. I feel that if they want to participate they will and if not, throw the information away!! We know what works and what don't and if its a good one, we decide to do it again and if not, we don't. This year we are doing 2 of the 3 we done last year and trying one new one. We do 3 a year and have a spring carnival. As a parent, I wouldn't complain about what the PTO decides to do because their the one's doing all the work and what ever they choose, as long as it benefits the children, let them try it. Just a thought!! Good luck!
Technically, before committing the PTO's resources and name to an activity, especially when funds are involved, you should seek the approval of your group. What "approval" means can be the cause for conflict. (Naturally, always check your bylaws for anything they might say on the subject.)
There have been some other postings on this in the past and it seems who chooses the fundraiser varies. As far as I recall, one or two who commented felt there should be a formal presentation of ALL the options and it should be put to a vote at a general meeting.
More often, it sounds like the fundraising chair (or whoever is responsible) whittles down the choices and either a core group decides or the final recommendation(s) is brought to the Board for a vote. Some groups have vendor reps come in and make presentations.
I found running a PTO involves a lot of flexibility. My group typically votes on everything unanimously - all the kinks have been worked before they reach the voting stage (and everything except budget approval and elections are handled by the Board). Thus we can take some actions for granted.
Our fundraising chair does all the legwork on the selecting a company, consulting with the Principal and the president. They basically make a decision and just keep us posted. Our basic premise is that we are going to do a pretty standard catalog fundraiser. It falls in her job to get us the best deal, best company to work with (with the agreement of the other key people).
It's been fine because everyone supports it. (And this is what I mean by us taking this piece for granted.) But, if they decided to hold happy hour in the cafeteria as the fundraiser, I'd be the first demanding to know why such and such wasn't brought for Board vote.
Probably the wisest/fairest course of action would be to present your plan for a vote. This is especially true since you have at least one person who disagrees with the decision. You are going to have to look at your bylaws and your history to see if the vote would be at the Board level or at a General Meeting. It sounds like you already have the support your need, but this will formalize it.
As new president of our PTO, I met with the VP, sec, and treasurer over the summer to discuss the upcoming year, brainstorm and change to a new fundraiser. THe former president caught wind and had a fit!! She stated I couldn't do that behind the parents backs, that I was wrong and she was bringing this up at the first meeting. She's mad because I chose another funderaiser rather than going with the same one she's had for the past 4 years. She said I had to have the parents vote on the fundraiser, however she has never done this in the past.
My question, was I wrong?? Isn't the committee able to do that?
