PTA charging for events

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s a solution OP. Maybe you can run the talent show next year and see the financials and logistics that go into running a PTA. Or you can continue running your mouth about things you don’t take the time to understand. Up to you!

OP here- I actually am involved and active in helping the PTA so yes I do understand logistics of planning events very well. I did not plan/ help this event and simply looking for how things are done elsewhere & what others think.

So instead of offering to help with a way to raise money to make the event free, which seems important to you, you choose to come on DCUM and throw shade at people who are just doing their best to provide a fun evening for families. Nice!

They could donate $500 to cover some of the costs.

Or $50. Does not take $500 to put on an elementary talent show. And yes, speaking from experience. If the talent show costs $500 to produce no wonder they have to charge families.

It probably doesn’t cost $500 to put it on but it’s possible that they are hoping to raise $500 with this event in order to pay for other things. Like books, supplies, field trips, etc. There are lots of ways to make money and this particular event may be one of them. There are other events that may not cost because they aren’t fundraisers. But there have to be some events that make money to have others that don’t. I would much rather pay $5 and buy some snacks for a fun, inexpensive community event than feel forced to sell pizza kits or candy bars. Not all PTAs have the manpower to solicit business sponsorships and host silent auctions. That’s a ton of work.

Very true. I only threw the estimated $50 to invest in hosting the actual event and then yes you are right, the pta can charge for snacks, raffles, ask for donations etc and hopefully make that $500 profit .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s a solution OP. Maybe you can run the talent show next year and see the financials and logistics that go into running a PTA. Or you can continue running your mouth about things you don’t take the time to understand. Up to you!

OP here- I actually am involved and active in helping the PTA so yes I do understand logistics of planning events very well. I did not plan/ help this event and simply looking for how things are done elsewhere & what others think.

So instead of offering to help with a way to raise money to make the event free, which seems important to you, you choose to come on DCUM and throw shade at people who are just doing their best to provide a fun evening for families. Nice!

They could donate $500 to cover some of the costs.

Or $50. Does not take $500 to put on an elementary talent show. And yes, speaking from experience. If the talent show costs $500 to produce no wonder they have to charge families.

It probably doesn’t cost $500 to put it on but it’s possible that they are hoping to raise $500 with this event in order to pay for other things. Like books, supplies, field trips, etc. There are lots of ways to make money and this particular event may be one of them. There are other events that may not cost because they aren’t fundraisers. But there have to be some events that make money to have others that don’t. I would much rather pay $5 and buy some snacks for a fun, inexpensive community event than feel forced to sell pizza kits or candy bars. Not all PTAs have the manpower to solicit business sponsorships and host silent auctions. That’s a ton of work.

Very true. I only threw the estimated $50 to invest in hosting the actual event and then yes you are right, the pta can charge for snacks, raffles, ask for donations etc and hopefully make that $500 profit .

A lot of people have mentioned raffles but that’s not the easiest process in Montgomery county as raffles require a permit, even for PTAs. And the permit requires a bunch of paperwork, including a notary, a trip to the office to drop off the paperwork and a fee. Bingo is the same—you need a permit to do it legally. Of course, you can risk it and do it illegally, and likely no one will ever press charges, but it’s not worth the risk of that happening. A lot of PTAs won’t mess with raffles for that reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PTA should give xx tickets to the school counselor, families can contact the counselor directly for free tickets. No one else needs to know

This.
Our PTA does a gift card collection to cover holiday gifts and food on school breaks, a new /unused toy collection, and a Halloween costume collection. However the school staff coordinate distribution. We also raise money for enrichment class scholarships and to make sure every kid gets 1 book at the boo fair. The PTA moms do not know who the recipients are - just a # of kids / families helped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTA should give xx tickets to the school counselor, families can contact the counselor directly for free tickets. No one else needs to know

This.
Our PTA does a gift card collection to cover holiday gifts and food on school breaks, a new /unused toy collection, and a Halloween costume collection. However the school staff coordinate distribution. We also raise money for enrichment class scholarships and to make sure every kid gets 1 book at the boo fair. The PTA moms do not know who the recipients are - just a # of kids / families helped.

OPs PTA event would be improved simply by following this plan. No biggie

Off topic what are your enrichment class scholarships?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our talent show was held offsite so there were costs involved and required modestly priced tickets. Are any schools large enough to host a talent show that allows parents, etc to attend? I’m pretty sure schools are charged when events are held at larger high schools, etc.

It’s not even free for a PTA to use their own school outside of the school day.

Damn. Y’all need to come over to FCPS. No charge for school-connected events.

This is not true. In FCPS, the PTA would have to pay for custodians after hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Surely the PTA already has a list of low income families. They should just give tickets to those families free of charge.

They better not have a list! That would be a huge privacy violation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surely the PTA already has a list of low income families. They should just give tickets to those families free of charge.

They better not have a list! That would be a huge privacy violation.

Omg why even suggest this

[Anonymous]

Most people seem to be assuming the talent show is an evening event, and focusing on money. As the PP who said that every elementary talent show I can remember was held during the day, I’d like to point out that $$ isn’t the only barrier to participation. Elementary aged kids are unable to provide their own transportation and generally require adult supervision. If the child’s family is unable and/or unwilling to provide either, the child won’t be able to display their talents, or even watch their friends.

If you have the show during the day, while it may decrease the number of parents who can attend, it will greatly increase the number of kids who can enjoy the event. Moreover, as I pointed out before, it keeps the costs low, so there is no need to charge for tickets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s a solution OP. Maybe you can run the talent show next year and see the financials and logistics that go into running a PTA. Or you can continue running your mouth about things you don’t take the time to understand. Up to you!

OP here- I actually am involved and active in helping the PTA so yes I do understand logistics of planning events very well. I did not plan/ help this event and simply looking for how things are done elsewhere & what others think.

So instead of offering to help with a way to raise money to make the event free, which seems important to you, you choose to come on DCUM and throw shade at people who are just doing their best to provide a fun evening for families. Nice!

They could donate $500 to cover some of the costs.

Or $50. Does not take $500 to put on an elementary talent show. And yes, speaking from experience. If the talent show costs $500 to produce no wonder they have to charge families.

It probably doesn’t cost $500 to put it on but it’s possible that they are hoping to raise $500 with this event in order to pay for other things. Like books, supplies, field trips, etc. There are lots of ways to make money and this particular event may be one of them. There are other events that may not cost because they aren’t fundraisers. But there have to be some events that make money to have others that don’t. I would much rather pay $5 and buy some snacks for a fun, inexpensive community event than feel forced to sell pizza kits or candy bars. Not all PTAs have the manpower to solicit business sponsorships and host silent auctions. That’s a ton of work.

Very true. I only threw the estimated $50 to invest in hosting the actual event and then yes you are right, the pta can charge for snacks, raffles, ask for donations etc and hopefully make that $500 profit .

They have to pay for the space, equipment, insurance and much more. In a low income school is very hard to get $500 donated let alone earn it. I’ve tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s a solution OP. Maybe you can run the talent show next year and see the financials and logistics that go into running a PTA. Or you can continue running your mouth about things you don’t take the time to understand. Up to you!

OP here- I actually am involved and active in helping the PTA so yes I do understand logistics of planning events very well. I did not plan/ help this event and simply looking for how things are done elsewhere & what others think.

So instead of offering to help with a way to raise money to make the event free, which seems important to you, you choose to come on DCUM and throw shade at people who are just doing their best to provide a fun evening for families. Nice!

They could donate $500 to cover some of the costs.

Or $50. Does not take $500 to put on an elementary talent show. And yes, speaking from experience. If the talent show costs $500 to produce no wonder they have to charge families.

You have to pay for the space, insurance, need volunteers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are costs associated and how do you want them paid for. I ran a pta and we did that. It was no big deal. Only I and the treasurer knew and it was not discussed even with the board.

None of your freaking business!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most people seem to be assuming the talent show is an evening event, and focusing on money. As the PP who said that every elementary talent show I can remember was held during the day, I’d like to point out that $$ isn’t the only barrier to participation. Elementary aged kids are unable to provide their own transportation and generally require adult supervision. If the child’s family is unable and/or unwilling to provide either, the child won’t be able to display their talents, or even watch their friends.

If you have the show during the day, while it may decrease the number of parents who can attend, it will greatly increase the number of kids who can enjoy the event. Moreover, as I pointed out before, it keeps the costs low, so there is no need to charge for tickets.

Op here- you just gave me an awesome idea which is why I (sometimes) LOVE this forum. I am going to talk to the pta president and principal and suggest a daytime “show” (assembly for the kids) that is obviously free and the pta can keep their evening nighttime event that charges tickets as the fundraising event. Even if it’s too late for this year, that’s a great solution for next year. This is such a cool way to make it accessible for all yet still make it a fundraiser for the pta. I’m excited about this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, this feels gross to me too. I don't love asking public school parents to pay to watch their child perform.

I like the idea of selling snacks as a middle ground--cover your costs without limiting who can come.

But I guess once they get to middle/high school, theater performances and football games charge, even for mom and dad, so maybe it's the norm.

You then have to get the snacks donated or have money to buy them.

Our school charges to go to concerts and plays. It’s often $15 per person. That’s gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s a solution OP. Maybe you can run the talent show next year and see the financials and logistics that go into running a PTA. Or you can continue running your mouth about things you don’t take the time to understand. Up to you!

OP here- I actually am involved and active in helping the PTA so yes I do understand logistics of planning events very well. I did not plan/ help this event and simply looking for how things are done elsewhere & what others think.

So instead of offering to help with a way to raise money to make the event free, which seems important to you, you choose to come on DCUM and throw shade at people who are just doing their best to provide a fun evening for families. Nice!

They could donate $500 to cover some of the costs.

Or $50. Does not take $500 to put on an elementary talent show. And yes, speaking from experience. If the talent show costs $500 to produce no wonder they have to charge families.

You have to pay for the space, insurance, need volunteers

You don’t pay insurance in mcps. If you were on / involved in a pta and rented the local elementary gyms or APRs you’d know this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people seem to be assuming the talent show is an evening event, and focusing on money. As the PP who said that every elementary talent show I can remember was held during the day, I’d like to point out that $$ isn’t the only barrier to participation. Elementary aged kids are unable to provide their own transportation and generally require adult supervision. If the child’s family is unable and/or unwilling to provide either, the child won’t be able to display their talents, or even watch their friends.

If you have the show during the day, while it may decrease the number of parents who can attend, it will greatly increase the number of kids who can enjoy the event. Moreover, as I pointed out before, it keeps the costs low, so there is no need to charge for tickets.

Op here- you just gave me an awesome idea which is why I (sometimes) LOVE this forum. I am going to talk to the pta president and principal and suggest a daytime “show” (assembly for the kids) that is obviously free and the pta can keep their evening nighttime event that charges tickets as the fundraising event. Even if it’s too late for this year, that’s a great solution for next year. This is such a cool way to make it accessible for all yet still make it a fundraiser for the pta. I’m excited about this!

The children are not fundraisers for the PTA.