Michelle B--I said it in the other post with "trying hard," and I'm happy to say it again here: You're the best! Your parents,kids and school are very lucky to have you!
Okay, here's a couple of answers.
In order to act as a supplement, you will need to work to include them in some of the aspects. While it isn't necessary for them all to be included in your meetings, it would be helpful to have one person from your PTA sit it on the planning portions. They may be working on something else and it would help to coordinate dates. Again, like you have said, you arent' trying to replace them but compliment the work already being done or hasn't been done.
As for first dibs on fundraisers, I wouldn't say that is an issue. I think the only question is are they already doing it? If not, then it is fair game. As a PTA person, you can point out that the PTA isn't technically supposed to be a fundraising organization. (Isn't that why the playground wasn't approved by your PTA board in the first place? [img]smile.gif[/img]
#3- Same situation as the first, i think it would be important to coordinate your activities and discuss what you will be doing or planning to do with at least one rep from the PTA in order not to double up or start some sort of turf war. PTA should know at the beginning of each year, what they will be doing by their budget. If it's not in their budget, it would be safe to assume it isn't going to be done.
#4- They don't have any power over you. It would be like them telling the Girl Scouts they couldn't sell cookies.
It also shouldn't be a "we were first, nah, nah, nah!" Again, their programs are fixed at the beginning of the year and you are looking to fill the gaps. But in order for this to work, you need to communicate with each other.
I don't know how much of what you have put on the boards, you have said to them but there has to be at least one reasonable person there. (If not, have the principal mediate until you have worked out an agreement)
I think it's a wonderful thing you are doing and it could seriously mend a few fences along the way.
Please keep me posted.
Just to clarify, what we formed is less a "parent group," and more like our name says, a "volunteers association." I supppose the difference is just semantics though. I never gave thought to the confusion aspect. In MY head it's clear, ergo in EVERYONE'S head it's clear - lol! We report to the principal and superintendent, so we can't be classififed as a renegade group. We feel it's shame that our school group is a PTA and not a PTO; then there'd really be no problem!
As I said, now it's just the playground (and believe me--that's almost more than we can handle!). God willing we're successful, after this we'd love to help out anywhere else we could, where the PTA can't or has no personal interest in getting ivolved. I realize this situation is tricky, which is why I asked for input. It's just so frustrating--all you want to do is be involved and help, and it just seems as though your help isn't wanted! Tim and venzmama, as always, your opinion is greatly appreciated--thank you for taking the time to respond!
We have various groups or sub-committees that are formed under the Board of Directors (BOD). One is the "Grounds and Facilities" group. This has members from the PTO but is not a PTO group. I would recommend you form a "Playground" group who reports to either the principal or the BOD, depending on how your school is set up. Pick a fundraiser that you can do, but don't take one from the PTA. Be respectful of their fundraisers and events when scheduling yours, and if you are working with the principal he should know their schedule to help you do this. Don't make this a second parent group. Like Rockne says, too confusing. It will also cause a turf war and that won't build a playground! Good luck with your group! :cool:
I can give you a couple of clear answers (and then i'll follow with a lot more gray):
2. If we come up with a fundraising idea for the school, are we obligated to (for lack of better wording) "give them first dibs" on the idea(ie Scrip. Boxtops etc.)? NO, there's certainly no rule that says this.
4. How much power does the PTA actually have over us? Is it a situation where whomever is there first has exclusive rights to helping the school, and no other groups can organize? None whatsoever and No way.
Now for the gray:
Your situation is exactly why I so often recommend against having two parent groups (usually a PTO and a PTA) operating in same school. It confuses parents and almost inevitably leads to turf wars.
Of course, you're not trying to create a different parent group; you're just trying to get a playground built. I applaud your efforts.
While you can do as you please -- especially if you have support of principal and superintendent -- I'd say you're better off in the short run remaining completely focused on the playground. Don't even discuss what might happen after the playground is built. Cross that bridge later. Let the current territorial PTA folsk know exactly what your goals are. Tell them you'll give them courtesy notification of activities you'll be running. The fact is you'll want to collaborate on timing fundraisers, etc. anyway.
How do you keep them out of your board meetings? Write bylaws and then follow them. If they want to be on the board of the new group, then they'll need to run for office for the new group (if that's what your bylaws require) and agree to perform the functions of that leadership position.
Here's the background: for a number of reasons a group of moms and I founded our own bona fide nonprofit association to build a new playground at our school. We tried first working with our PTA, but they said they can't. We tried going through the membership route (as we're all members), but as the board determines what committees/projects will be taken on, we were at their mercy. For the usual "anti"-PTA reasons no one wants to commit to being on the board. These people are trying mightily to render us under their control, and perceive us as a threat. We have made it painfully clear to all involved that we don't want to replace them, nor do we want to start our own PTO. As Michelle B put it, we're looking more to be a supplement. We received clearance from our principal, and will presumably have no problems getting clearance from the superintendent as far as the playground goes.
The questions:
1. How do we handle these people when they demand to be in on our association's board meetings with the superintendent?
2. If we come up with a fundraising idea for the school, are we obligated to (for lack of better wording) "give them first dibs" on the idea(ie Scrip. Boxtops etc.)?
3. Once the playground is done, and we have ideas/get suggestions for other things the school can/could use, are we obligated to go to them first to "give them first dibs?"
4. How much power does the PTA actually have over us? Is it a situation where whomever is there first has exclusive rights to helping the school, and no other groups can organize?
We recognize they were there first, and respect AND appreciate all they do for the school. We don't want to take away from that, just add to it. We were honestly hoping to work together with them, and not "take money out of their pockets to put into ours."
INPUT PLEASE! We really want to make this work so that everyone benefits.
