I, personally, contacted the woman in charge of insurance at the school board office. She told me since we are an affiliate of the school we are covered under their policy even though they asked us to become 501(3(c)this year. Now if we are talking theft, that's another issue. But if a child would get hurt on a bouncy thing at a FUN FAIR, we're covered. Ask for this in writing to keep on file. I always do my homework and I go right to the source for correct info and I get it in writing.

Here is the argument:

Three years ago, I was the president of our parent group. Three quarters of the way through the year, I found out that our group was operating under the school umbrella, using their insurance, EIN and non-profit numbers when conducting business. We had very vague bylaws and to be honest, I didn't understand the difference as there had never been any problems (10+ years). I made plans to begin incorporating our group, was going to work on it during the summer. Thing is, I wasn't re-elected. I explained to the new pres and the principal about incorporating. It didn't happen. Move to current year: I have been once again elected to the position of pres. Guess what my first order of business should be? Well, it isn't what you think. After the election that I lost, turns out that not only did they not incorporate, but they: A)used 5th and 6th graders to babysit in the gym during their meetings which were held in the library in another building (insurance nightmare); the new prez purchased all of the group and school supplies through her business - at a nice mark up (conflict of interest and in direct violation of 501c3 rules); C) the new treasurer began stealing, never making any cash deposits from frundraisers and writing checks to herself and was able to do this for two years without (how the hell is this possible? I took one look at the bank statement and KNEW there was a serious problem...) the knowledge of any board member noticing(embezzlement by an officer). Now, which one of these true examples would your school insurance be willing to address? If your group is incorporated and carries their own insurance, they wouldn't have to address any of them.

That is your argument. Unless your group carries its own insurance, the school would be liable in each of the true situations above that I am currently having to deal with at our school.

[ 06-12-2004, 01:23 AM: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]

Metzy - thanks for the samples.

As far as why the school has say, everyone on the board this year is either first or second year in the PTO. We have little idea what we are doing (to be honest). The previousl board was involved for several years (pretty much the same group) and they just ran everything. Their kids have moved on to middle school now, so us with the younger kids are stepping in. When they left, there was no process for anything, just a bunch of "this is what we did". For many events (such as the fun fair/carnival), they "recommended we don't do it. If we want to, we need to plan for it now, but they are not helping because it's too much work". So, we are making the best of it.

I am the only one that feels we need the insurance (and trying to build a case for it). We have bonding insurance, and I am sure we'll have the general liability after everything I have been reading, but still don't understand how the officer liability works or how to make a case for it. It sounds like if we are transparent and honest with what we do, we don't need it. But, that's what I am hoping to find out here.

Give them an example like:

A) Someone has put one 7th grader in charge as the babysitter during your meeting. There are 10 small children.

When the babysitter has to go to the bathroom, a child falls and cracks their head.

C) While the babysitter is taking a crying child back to their parent in the meeting, one child bites another, breaks the skin, and takes a small chunk.

D) An adult babysitter loses their temper and strikes a child.

E) The treasurer (or prez or etc...) suddenly has a Winnebago and there is money missing from the till.

F) A child falls out of the Bounce House and breaks their arm.

I know these are WAY extreme examples, but they won't know that...lol... Ask them which of these they are going to cover... Each scenario, while improbable, is possible...

My question is why the school has any say about your group insurance?

Does anyone have real life examples (or better yet news articles that can be linked to) of where they were sued, or the district did not cover them? I met with our principle today and he still feels that we are covered by the district for everything. I'd like to provide real life examples and get it in writing by the district that they would cover those and similar examples.

A couple questions:
- How do we know if we need it and what would it be used for?
- The principle says were covered under the school policy since everything we do is at school. Is this true?

If you volunteer your time on an executive board you need insurance. There are way to many grey areas to be covered under the district policies from what I understand. At there very least I would highly recommend Board Insurance and Fidelity Bond Insurance. As for injury at an event you planned I think it would be easier for the district to cover that kind of claim then an embezzelement of funds or a liability claim against board member or something of that nature. We opted to get these 2 feeling we really have no equipment for liability... except our popcorn machine but that is very old now anyway.