Okay, I am running for PTO treasurer, not really because I wanted to but because the person running for President asked me to run. I have to work up a bio and I'm not sure what kind of information I should put on there. The reason I am running (besides being asked by the Pres-hopeful) is because the current PTO board is a JOKE! Our school is brand new, this is the first year it is in operation, and there are SO many things that the school needs. From my understanding, that is what the PTO is for, right? To help get the school things they need? Anyway, they blew $900 on a popcorn machine, thinking it would make money for the school(hasn't paid it's self off yet, might take a few years to do that, if it ever does). They are wanting a reader board(I think it's what they have outside the school to announce different things for the school?) for their next big spend, but the music dept. doesn't even have musical instruments for the elementary kids, or enough books for the library... There is also no communication between the PTO and the school. You'd think the PTO would want to find out what the school's wants and needs are before making any purchases... But they don't. So sorry for a long story, but that's why I am running. Anyway, what are qualifications you would want members of the PTO board to have? Especially treasurer?
Thanks

I was on the board of our PTA, and it was really a lot of fun. The main reason I was on the board was because the President asked me to. She was a GREAT President, and all the teachers loved her. We worked like crazy, and raised TONS of money for the school.

Each PTA and PTO are governed by by-laws, so be sure you are aware of that, and following those. That may be why some of the situations arose that you spoke of. Oh, and we had PopCorn Fridays, about 2x a month, and we made loads of money.

Now, back to your question......for the Treasurer, I would want someone who is going to be accesible, and give a detailed reporting of where the money is going, and where it is coming from.

Sorry, but, now that my kids are older, I don't bother with the PTO....too many women on it that are going for some sort of power trip, whatever that could be from the PTO. It varies from area to area, and I'm certainly not saying they are all like that, but, I tend to stay away from those things.

Good Luck to you, and I hope you do a FANTASTIC job.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I'm not on the board of our PTA but this year I am on the Nominating Board. I don't find out all the info til Mar 8th though.

Here's what I would want for a Treasurer:
Honest and Trustworthy
Able to develop a budget
Able to prepare reports
reconcile bank statements
Able to work with financial computer programs like Quickbooks or whatever your school works
Works well with others


Sounds like it will be fun to be in on the beginning of a board. Fundraising will be the biggest thing to get your funds going and to set what will be done in future years. Make sure that the Principal is very involved with your board. I think that is the key to a great PTO/PTA.

Good Luck!

First of all, it's good to keep the principal informed about the actions of the PTA. However, first and foremost, the principal runs the school. The PTA Executive Board runs the PTA. The elementary school DD and DS attended had a problem with the principal calling the greater part of the moves of the PTA.
I've worked in PTA for 9 yrs. There's good workers and there's the workers that are there for the recognition. Remember, it's all about the kids and only the kids. It's not a power trip.
Even if the bylaws aren't set up for two signatures on the checking account, as treasurer I would personally insist on it. That way there's less possibility of being accused of misuse of funds. The treasurer isn't solely responsible for the budget. There should be a budget committee. Books are audited annually to verify that funds have been handled appropriately and properly accounted for with receipts.
The schools I've been involved in had popcorn Friday's where the popcorn was given to all students. No selling involved.
I can understand wanting to buy the needs for a school. But first, I would be concerned where the school budget money is going and why there's not enough band instruments or library books. IMHO those aren't extras, those are necessities the school should be providing. A new school should be receiving all start up funds from the district.
A wonderful fundraiser for the library are bookfairs held in conjunction with other activities in the building. When bookfairs are held at our schools there's parent/teacher conferences, pastries for parents, grandparents day. Something to get the extended family in the door and into the library buying books. Also, a wish board can be set up in the library for people to buy books for the library and have their names in the front of the book as having donated the book.

I like the idea of having the book faire while another event is going on. I'll have to add that to my list for our next meeting. We currently devote 2 weeks for Book Faire and send out wish lists etc. The teachers also have a wish list for classroom books the kids can buy for them and they get a nameplate in the book.

Another fun thing we do with books for the library is during the month of the students birthday we send out a letter letting them know if they are interested in donating a book to the library we add a nameplate w/ their name and birthday in it. The kids are always excited about it.


I understand about a Principal calling the shots. I'm lucky our PTA is very organized and the Principal has a good repoire with the board. She attends each meeting and we usually have a block of time devoted to the Principal's message which she sometimes uses to explain school standards for each class or talks about safety or the big topic right now- traffic during drop off and pick up.

I was 1st VP of the PTC (parent teacher counsel) This is actually different from the PTO. The PTO is an Organization or Association that shares their money with the other PTO/PTA's in the area. The PTC keeps all the money raised in their own school and sees to spending on necessary items for their school. I was at a low income school (about 60 % of the students were military dependants). We were able to raise 38,000 last year and our goal was only 32,000. There are many things that can be done. We bought our popcorn machine and paid it off the same year. We sold popcorn and drinks (water or juice) for 50 cents each. Sorry, I really miss the fact that I am no loner doing this. We moved to another state and our school does not have PTA/PTO/PTC.

As far as treasurer. Definately check out your by-laws, and see if this is what you want to do. My good friend did it for our school and enjoyed it, but it was a lot of work with her working for her own company. Best of luck.
Christina

Our PTA does not buy things that the school should be providing. They do the extra things for the children. They pay for some assemblies, movie nights, reading incentives, red ribbon week, parent classes, Fall Carnival, Art program etc.... Then if they have money left at the end of the year they buy something new for the school like computers. We have a wonderful PTA and many great parent volunteers. Our children get many extra programs because of it.

I am curious why you state that having about 60% of students being military dependents makes this a low income school? While enlisted active duty certainly makes less than officer active duty, I would think children from both mix in this school. tia

I have never heard of a PTA or PTO sharing their funds with other PTA's or PTO's. That's just crazy!! Fundraising of $38,000. doesn't sound like low income to me. DS's middle school is 70% free/reduced lunch, there's 430 students and fundraising is just about impossible. It's so discouraging. We do well to raise $7,500 a year.

I've never heard of a PTA sharing funds either. We pay dues but we do not share funds.

We have at least 4 major fundraisers a year and We are a middle to high income area. We take in about 80-90K a year. It's amazing to see that much money and how much we are able to do with it. We bought 2 computers per classroom last year plus paid for each playground to get new equipment. This year we bought all new trikes and play equipment for the kinder classes. We also pay for the fieldtrips and buses for them. This year we are hoping to offset the arts program and pay for more computer programs.

WOW I guess I need to grateful that I have such a wonderful and active PTA in my sons school....
We have wonderful things for the children all year round including....

Fun Day at the end of the year
PTA snacks and treats through out the year
3 RIF days where each child gets to pick a book for free from a huge selection
a large library
Informational speakers at each meeting on various home/school topics
and much much more..... I guess I never realized how much they did until I started posting....

To the answer to your question... I would vote for someone with
Budgeting/Finacial experience
References from the community
Someone who has held some sort of office for a group/club in the past

Sadly a neghboring community is dealing with the loss of thousands of dollars in funds due to their treasure using the money for her own pleasure

I trust there was bonding insurance on the officers. Or, if not, charges were pressed. This is the reason for two signatures on the checking account. Also, when fundraisers are going on and cash money is coming in, there needs to be at least 2 people, preferably 3-4, counting money as it comes in.

What do my dues pay for?

Our members pay dues that include a small portion for the state and national offices. In return, local PTAs and members receive access to many valuable resources, information, and training programs.


this is from the www.pta.org site. I think this may be what the poster was referring to when she said "sharing funds".

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

No, I don't think so. Poster CLWARK stated "shares their money with other PTO/PTA's in the area". Of the dues collected, $2.75 per person is sent to state and national PTA. Actually each PTA can set their due amount in their bylaws. Around here most charge $3-4.