PTO definitely IS a volunteer position. If it were a paying job I'd hire people like JHB, Critter, and Tim to be my consultants because they have it going on.

By the same token - when money is involved it becomes somewhat like a business. Responsibilities need to be detailed and rules need to be followed. Feel free to look into back issues about money disappearing from PTO's. It still amazes me that it comes to that type of situation, and being a glass is half full person I like to think that more often than not it is accidental or oversight - but when you - and by YOU I mean not only the treasurer but all those elected to represent the larger group - take on the responsibility of the organization you are taking on the fiscal responsibility and accountability as well.

You are right to ask questions. Keep asking until you are comfortable with the answers.

Thanks for the advice. Our PTO doesn't even go over our Bylaws. One person on the board said today she hasn't seen a copy of those for at least 3 years!
They don't think it should be run like a business. Again, it is only a volunteer position.
Thanks again.

A couple of random thoughts - I think that I speak for many when I say that our goal in having meetings is to be informative, while at the same time being brief. Therefore - each financial transaction is not necessarily discussed during PTO meetings. A current budget sheet should be made availabe at these meetings which shows changes from the previous month's similar document, but as far as providing each individual transaction for discussion, I think that's over and above and would be very time consuming. The treasurer should definitely be at the meetings in order to answer any questions that may arise.

Is having bylaws important - absolutely. This sets the guidelines. Is following them important? If you don't follow them, then why have them? If there is a valid reason that they need to be changed, then your bylaws probably have a method for ammendment and that should be what those on the board who want things changed should follow.

Whether you are an elected board member or a member at large, you are entitled to know every transaction if you so desire. It is YOUR organization, that of your school and the children. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to schedule a time to visit with the treasurer as going over each transaction can be very burdensome and time consuming. Perhaps you could offer to help the treasurer put things in an order that would make her job easier to manage. You never know, she may just need some help.

Don't feel like you one of the bad guys. It is an orginization, and everyone is a member! Everyone has a right to view the financial records. At every PTO meeting, one of the first things we do is cover the treasury report. I also write the school newletter, and in the newsletter, I publish what the PTO is contributing to the school. I think what you guys need to do, or just you, is purchase 'Roberts Rules of Order'. It goes through proper ettiquette within organizations. It is the basis of diplomacy that our country was founded on. We abide by it completely. We have never had anyone not get along in the PTO.

We had our first meeting. Disaster. Half of the board thinks "PTO is a voluntary postion, people can put into it what they want." Meaning if you don't follow the Bylaws, it's OK. Board members don't need to know the details of accounts, how or when an audit was done. Only the Treasurer and maybe the President should know those things.
A profit and loss sheet with the balance in the accounts is enough for anyone else on the board to see.
The other half wants to know the Policy and Procedure of how things are done. We want to follow our Bylaws, we want to know what is in the accounts, when we are audited. Does that seem wrong? I'm now one of the "bad guys" for bringing up these questions. Asking how things work in the group. I was told if I want questions like who can sign checks, what checks have come into our account, what things have been deducted out of our account (Cash Flow Statement) I need to go to the Treasurer and she will give me that information. Shouldn't the Board go over those kind of things?
What exactly is the Board then?
Help!