I read your post a couple of time but now have decided to give it a try. Any parent group obviously can not run without the school, even as a 501c we need to work with our school. Yes we do have sole responibilty of our funds.
I think in your case since your group is so young that I would approach your principal, state your concerns and get a copy of those bylaws. Tell her that you have heard things and you are worry that your group may need some guidance, ask your principal for that guidance. I would like to think that if this is a new school, new pto that your principal would like to see it be successful, not be in the local news for your leader stealing the funds. Your whole school's rep is on the line here. I am not sure how much help those bylaws are going to be except they should list officer requirements, were they set up that there is an treasurer, what requirements are listed as treasurer, is it a requirement that a financial report is done every month for presentation to the general membership. If so then your group should start pressing these bylaws, if not I would recommend doing so.
I don't think I would get into the accusations mainly because you said there are "rumors", rumors can be true or they can be started by someone who doesn't like a person. I think you need to stay with the facts for now 1-No one knows how much is in your account 2-There are no financial reports done on a monthly basis 3-Your president seems to have to much control 4-Why are the bylaws not accessable to the whole pto membership...Good luck!
Those have been my thoughts. I am still trying to gather information and get the facts instead of just what people are telling me.
I have been thinking about talking with the principal but I wasn't sure if that was appropriate. Do schools have any control over their PTOs? Or is it the parents that truely have control?
I wouldn't know what to tell you. As a parent, I'd be frustrated and angry, and might possibly start looking into legal recourse.
Is there any legal recourse? Taking money for personal expenses: let's see, isn't that embezzlement?
It's up to parents, imo, to take control of their PTOs, and withhold money (dues, participation, etc.) if they think they're being made fools of.
Meanwhile, I'd want to threaten a legal investigation if full financial disclosure is not forthcoming.
But that's me. I have no patience with this kind of stuff. A thief is a thief is a thief, and not being completely transparent about the whereabouts of monies raised is grounds for action.
The school and our PTO are just 2 years old and boy are we having problems. Last year's president stepped down when she became an employee of the school and the vice-president took over. When this year started there was no election for president.
So far this year we have only been able to view the by-laws (not have a copy); no one has seen the financials; there are rumors that the president has taken money out for personal expenses; and some things that we vote on in the meetings are being overruled later.
The vice-president this year has let it be known that even she has not seen the bank statements and can not find out where the money is going. Fundraisers are un-organized and the president (we have no treasurer) never seems to know how much money we have raised.
Several parents are frustrated beyond belief! Does anyone have any suggestions for a beginner in the PTO game?
