I know I'm jumping in late but here goes: Our PTO always has a treasurer's report at every general meeting, listing balances and items not yet paid. Anything over $50 that has been approved is mentioned. Our meetings are not very well attended so this information is also listed in the monthly newsletter. I think people appreciate having that information. Even though members can't be at all the meetings, they still wish to be involved and informed. If you aren't getting the info you want, just speak up at a general meeting and ask. Maybe it's just an oversight on the part of an overworked board.
Besides what our talented treasurer, michkan, said previously, we have started putting a brief committee report on the back of our meeting agenda. This provides more info than just the numbers that are in the trearsurer's report. I like the annual report idea, too, though we haven't seen a need for that yet.
I can understand your feelings. Our membership WANTS to know how much money was made in fundraisers. They also WANT the opportunity to voice their happiness or concerns with events. It doesn't take that much of our meeting-maybe 5-10 mins. I couldn't imagine our group having an event and then NOT discussing it at our next meeting. Our successes really boost the morale of the membership and get them excited about other events. It also shows everyone in the school how much the PTO contributes to the educational opportunities of our children. When we have a successful event, we brag it all over the "world". When it doesn't go well, we need the feedback and ideas so we can do better next time. Maybe you could present your desire to announce this information as a way to get the membership more interested and involved.
Originally posted by Sidney: There's a fine line between too much info and too little info. Some people want more than others and there is only a finite amount of time at meetings.
OOps! Sorry. Anyway, all I'm looking for is the basics-how much did we make (or lose) and how did it compare to last year? Then, if there were problems that need to be addressed that can be done, but it seems to me that 30 seconds can be taken from any meeting to say, "We cleared $1000 on this event and that's $100 more than we did last year." I still don't know how much the one event made and I'm a board member; I could ask, but I don't think I should have to do that.
Originally posted by Sidney: There's a fine line between too much info and too little info. Some people want more than others and there is only a finite amount of time at meetings.
(Once again ) Dave has a good point! As a share holder in a major company, I still recieve quartly reports about not just the finacial but other happens such as research and development etc. Same thing can be done for the 'club'. Be ware though if you believe your newsletter is suffice, not sure what the inc. requirements are for a group but I know companys are suppose to share the info with intrested members.