I too was wondering what you meant by "sponsoring". If all you do is donate a couple hundred dollars, then really I don't see a problem with it. Are you wondering if PTO can be held liable for anything, such as lack of supervision? If so, I really don't see how you could be. (Of course, I am not a lawyer though). Because you really aren't sponsoring, your donating. You are not renting or allowing the use of a PTO owned building or providing supervision, right? The troop is a completely different entity. I am not 100% sure, but I believe they are required to carry their own liability insurance by the National organization.
So I don't see how the PTO's involvement would be a problem. My PTO gives donations to a number of groups the students are involved in.
I hope this helped? [img]smile.gif[/img]
I'm not sure if it's mandatory or not (from the Boyscout perspective) but our Boyscouts have always been sponsored. I think last year the PTO gave both the Girlscouts and Boyscouts of our school a couple of hundred dollars to help them pay for supplies etc..
What do you mean by "sponsor"? I'm confused as every scout troop, both boy & girl, that I've been involved with - did not have a sponsor. We met at public buildings - either schools or fire department buildings, but never had a sponsor and I've been a Brownie leader, Girl Scout (Junior) leader, and Cub Scout den mother.
If your group is 501(c)(3) and the boyscout troop is 501(c)(3) and it fits with the purpose of bylaws it shouldn't be a problem. If you aren't 501(c)(3) it only would have to fit in with the purpose of your bylaws. Right?
I am new to this forum and am currently a co-president of a PTO. For many years our PTO has sponsored a Boy Scout(BSA) pack and recently a local church was cited in a case involving inproper supervision/abuse by a leader, creating questions whether or not PTO's should sponsor BSA. (the church sponsored the pack involved)
A lot of questions come up with this on the table and I am wondering of others are going through the same?? I would appreciate any help-this is getting awfully complex..thanks