Critter- I'm afraid that not all parents give a darn. We found this out last year when we were having so many problems with missing money. We only had 2 people every say anything. Once again we are faced with a problem on the board and not one parent has stepped forward. It's sad.
Where are your parents in all of this mess? I can't believe they are willing to participate in your fundraisers without a CLUE as to how the money is being managed. Try some of the other techniques suggested here, but also get a group of influential parents on your side. No info, no fundraising. That should get a PTO president's attention.
I can't believe your Treasurer doesn't provide a written detailed Report at your monthly meetings. We are a PTC and it is a must. The Treasurer reads thru the Report at each meeting and asks if there are any questions. Also, our account has two signers. The Treasurer and the President. If you are getting nowhere with him I would immediately talk with the rest of your board and the principal and set up a mandatory meeting where he would need to bring the books. Also, who has been preparing the tax returns? Even non-profits have to file a return. I would contact a CPA and have the books audited asap. I wouldn't be too concerned if the current Treasurer gets upset by this..........sounds like he's hiding something to me! Why else would he not provide balances and other financial information? I would send a certified letter to the Treasurer NOW and strongly urge him to come to a meeting with your Board and Principal otherwise you would have no recourse but to seek legal counsel. This is a serious situation and I wouldn't wait any longer.
Everyone is being so nice! I am not well known for being nice, so here goes:
Does your PTO agenda have an Open Forum? If so, here is what I would suggest: Pull your prez aside, just you and him. Politely, but firmly, tell him that, just between you and him, you think something is wrong and that if he doesn't have the books in order by the next meeting, you are going to address the issue during Open Forum. Hand him a current copy of the PTOtoday magazine, with "Why Parents Steal" on the front, and tell him that while you don't think this is what has happened, it sure is beginning to look like something is going on. You probably should check with Critter or JHB, but it seems to me that there is something in the IRS code about open books. If you are not a 501c3 group (always a possibility), then have the principal step in. If you are a 501c3 group, tell him the IRS may have something to say about all this privacy. And I suggest you do it quickly. Being trustworthy and nice will only go so far. If there is a problem, and it honestly looks like there is, you need to put trustworthy and nice out the door and find out what is going on in those books before there isn't anything to look at!
I agree. Something is not right. Remind him that you have (had) a treasurer for the purpose of maintaining the records. And how many signatures are required on checks? Perhaps if its only one, you should change it to 2. He is responsible for everything that happens in the PTO/PTA and therefore will be liable if any discrepancies. So there needs to be checks and balances in place. What do your bylaws say? Probably that someone cannot hold 2 exec positions. And that a treasurers report needs to be handed out to everyone and it must be approved by all and added to the minutes. Remind him you are all a team, and would appreciate him sharing all the information. Your PTO should be an open book (no pun intended..well maybe). Perhaps your executive board and principal can have a private meeting as to not embarras him. Ask him if he needs help. Remind him everyone worked hard for that money. It belongs to the children!
Good luck....whew...glad I'm not in your shoes.
Lisa @ Tx
To do an audit you can either hire a private CPA or see if someone in the district would be willing to do it. I suggest the first option that way there won't be any recourse pertaining to favortism or impartiality. You will need the approval of your board to do this.
This whole thing still sounds fishy to me. Either he is doing something else with the money, or just can't do the job. You might ask him if he needs help balancing the books. That is always a possibility.
[ 12-12-2002: Message edited by: Lisa Stovall ]</p>
