We also consider them hospitalty events but we provide for the whole staff-76-so we offer a main course and have everyone sign on for a side dish and we have never met any objections. We also do lunches to support team work or to promote a fundraiser and this all falls within the relm of our committment to creating and maintaining a partnership that better enables us to meet the needs of the children. When we provide somethign for inservices days, we also steal a few minutes to promote the PTO or whatever else is at the top of our to do list that day. We also offer meals for volunteers who spend all day counting fundraisers or spend the afternoon working a carnival booth.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
Frankly, I'd question that advice. What is your mission statement and objectives? We don't have a mission statement per se, but we do have objectives:
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1. Establish and maintain a working relationship between parents, school and community.</font>
2. Support school improvement teams and promote the finest education possible for the students at {school name}.</font>
3. Enhance the quality of education by raising funds for school supplies or programs which fall outside the school budget.</font>
4. Expand technology and supplement equipment and supplies.</font>
5. Increase student safety and security.</font>
6. Develop programs and projects that will support or enrich the curriculum.</font>
In our case we would argue that Hospitality Programs, including Teacher Appreciation events, support Objective #1. As such they are directly related to our purpose and are routinely included in our plans and budget.
Since you've had an IRS rep has already told you "no", you probably need to ask again so you can (hopefully) report back to your group that it is actually okay. But be careful how you word the question. Focus on tying the activity to your mission/purpose.
We became a 501(c)(3) this year when we I took over as a co-president. The IRS has told the other co-president that we cannot pay for the Teachers Lunch this year because it is outside of our mission statement and should not benefit members directly.
I am really confused? It seems that a lot of you do it and I'm wondering how you get around it.
Very few Board members wanted to pay the fee to become non-profit and now it is an "I told you so" deal. I have suggested potluck and they have shot it down (I suspect to perpetuate the I told you so)
I'd appreciate any advice anyone can give me on this!
