Did the person running the unwanted fundraiser have the authority to bring it in? If I understand correctly the PTL no longer has fundraising as it's the responsibility of the Boosters--so how who authorized this fundraiser? Personally, I would release a flyer saying that this is a PTL fundraiser and in no way related to the Boosters, then just go about your business without consulting this person. Sure, it could be construed as confrontational, but hey, so is going ahead with a fundraiser no one else wanted! I agree with oddmanout--DON'T support it, and just go on with your business. For the board/principal to OK such behavior is bad--not only does it undermine the Booster's authority, but it also breaks down control issues concerning money.
If you want to kill a fundraiser, Then convince others not to support it. Politely explain to the seller that you don't wish to buy anything at this time ( be polite the kids doing the selling are,nt who you're upset with). If enough people fail to support the project, the person will see the lack of results when presentig the results to the boosters. Most reasonable people will see its time to try something new. Unreasonable people will never be convinced, so don't waste your time on them, just shake your head and walk away.
raf...just wondering if you feel a school board member should be involved at all on the school level.I think that a school board member has more insight when actively involved in the schools daily going on. while my husband was on the school board he volunteered at other schools to get the feel of their building. wouldn't that make a board member more valuable than a board member who just goes to "board" happenings/meetings? seems like he would see things that the school board needed to address. I think you misunderstood ...our pto does not have a board due to problems with a old pta. every parent has a vote, they just need to be there to express it! I think we all know about the same volunteers showing to your meetings, etc. I will say that if someone is a "government official" we will never turn them away just because of it...they have rights as parents as well.I guess i look as our "group" as a family and not a government postion!maybe thats where we dont agree...our pto is very laid back and very informal and we like it that way!!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
I believe always that the PTO, the School Council, and the Administration should always work together to develop policies that foster parental involvement, and I think it's great that your husband would agree to serve on both boards. Are there no other parents who are available to fill one of the two positions?
A message of inclusion to parents at your school is loud and clear when a variety of great people serve in board positions. Additionally, the idea of one person holding dual offices in government has been found unconstitutional on numerous occasions. School leadership should be considered similarly as it reflects our form of government, which is represented by the people.
Now. Having said that, many schools have a non-voting board position designed especially for the PTO President to keep him/her abreast of changes within the school.
I think this case is one specific example of why someone should not be allowed to hold two different offices in school leadership. Good luck with your delimma, Boomer!
not to get off the subject here but Raf why do you believe that school board members should not be pto officers? My husband was actually appointed to the school board due to a drop out and he was /is very involved with our school/group. I dont think a parent should be withheld because they are a board member.. Through him i got to know all of the top administrators, who in turn have worked with our group on alot of things. Because of our group the district's parent involvment compact was rewrote! the vast percentage of school board members are able to keep one thing seperate from another.it makes things even harder if you are in a small community I am concerned what the principal said about the fundraiser? yes the board has power over her but she must have had some say? I think I would speak up at a board meeting during the public forum and find out why it happen? start with your principal
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
If the School Board has approved this fundraiser, then the problem is between their board and the Booster Club, not the PLT. If you're speaking as a member of the PLT, keep out of it. You'll just end up shooting yourself in the foot over it. You don't have to support the fundraiser personally, but as a champion of the school support cause, you can't be outspoken about how wrong it was for her to do that.
Not to open another can of worms, but why do you have a PLT officer who is also a School Board member? If I were you, I would revisit the by-laws to determine how that could happen. If it isn't there, you need to consider putting it into your PTL by-laws. School Boards are often charged with teacher conduct issues, and a PTO is charged with supporting the teachers. There are additional considerations such as this one, where the parent could be working against the rules she's charged with maintaining.
