Are Student Directories given only to PTA members?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somerset parent here. We have a PTA directory. It is a very nice leather bound volume with each family's name embossed in gold on the cover, delivered with white glove treatment from our school delivery service. It is printed on fine heavy stock paper. I'm glad we don't just have an old, stapled book.

I am really happy that you have a nice leather bound volume directory. What a wonderful family heirloom it will turn out to be!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And the OP complaining about $15 PTA dues but yet wants a free directory that the PTA spends hours putting together. Seriously?

The OP stated that she donates. I think if you contribute a dish for teacher appreciation, work the carnival or do any of the other endless volunteer jobs you have provided enough to get a directory. I think it's just looks cheap and manipulative to hold out the directory for membership.

PTA's pay 1.25 for Mont. Co PTA and 3.75 to Maryland and National PTA dues per every member. I can see the value in the Montgomery county PTA. but not the Maryland or National PTA organizations.

OP here. Actually I would like to pay for the directory, but not join the PTA. Infact, if the PTA charged me the same amount that a PTA membership costed (or slightly more), without making me a member, all that money would go to my school. I would prefer that.

I donate directly to the school for all kinds of things - teacher appreciation being one of them. I participate in PTA organized book fairs and have directly donated for fundraisers where children are supposed to sell things to the neighbors etc. I just do not want to be in the PTA because I feel that the PTA should be waiving any dues from poor SES schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And the OP complaining about $15 PTA dues but yet wants a free directory that the PTA spends hours putting together. Seriously?

The OP stated that she donates. I think if you contribute a dish for teacher appreciation, work the carnival or do any of the other endless volunteer jobs you have provided enough to get a directory. I think it's just looks cheap and manipulative to hold out the directory for membership.

PTA's pay 1.25 for Mont. Co PTA and 3.75 to Maryland and National PTA dues per every member. I can see the value in the Montgomery county PTA. but not the Maryland or National PTA organizations.

OP here. Actually I would like to pay for the directory, but not join the PTA. Infact, if the PTA charged me the same amount that a PTA membership costed (or slightly more), without making me a member, all that money would go to my school. I would prefer that.

I donate directly to the school for all kinds of things - teacher appreciation being one of them. I participate in PTA organized book fairs and have directly donated for fundraisers where children are supposed to sell things to the neighbors etc. I just do not want to be in the PTA because I feel that the PTA should be waiving any dues from poor SES schools.

Do you have a child in a high-poverty school, or is this just a general statement of principle?

If it's a statement of principle, what have you done to make your opinion clear to the people who could change the policy, or have you just refused to pay the PTA dues without any explanation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somerset parent here. We have a PTA directory. It is a very nice leather bound volume with each family's name embossed in gold on the cover, delivered with white glove treatment from our school delivery service. It is printed on fine heavy stock paper. I'm glad we don't just have an old, stapled book.

I am always happy to read about the way things are done at Somerset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And the OP complaining about $15 PTA dues but yet wants a free directory that the PTA spends hours putting together. Seriously?

The OP stated that she donates. I think if you contribute a dish for teacher appreciation, work the carnival or do any of the other endless volunteer jobs you have provided enough to get a directory. I think it's just looks cheap and manipulative to hold out the directory for membership.

PTA's pay 1.25 for Mont. Co PTA and 3.75 to Maryland and National PTA dues per every member. I can see the value in the Montgomery county PTA. but not the Maryland or National PTA organizations.

OP here. Actually I would like to pay for the directory, but not join the PTA. Infact, if the PTA charged me the same amount that a PTA membership costed (or slightly more), without making me a member, all that money would go to my school. I would prefer that.

I donate directly to the school for all kinds of things - teacher appreciation being one of them. I participate in PTA organized book fairs and have directly donated for fundraisers where children are supposed to sell things to the neighbors etc. I just do not want to be in the PTA because I feel that the PTA should be waiving any dues from poor SES schools.

Do you have a child in a high-poverty school, or is this just a general statement of principle?

If it's a statement of principle, what have you done to make your opinion clear to the people who could change the policy, or have you just refused to pay the PTA dues without any explanation?

I found about how the PTA dues were divvied up after my child was in a high-poverty school. I made the opinion clear to PTA (since I was an active member of the PTA board) but no dice. The PTA really did not bring much value to the school. The only fundraising that was effective was the scholastic book fair for the school. The PTA fees was only $6 because of the poverty level. So the school kept only $1 of the dues. If the MD and National PTA is so blind as to not be sensitive to the reality and need in such schools I do not have the time or inclination to be part of this group.

I just feel that my money is better served by giving directly to the school, which I do. I have not refused to pay PTA dues, I refuse to join the PTA as a member. Joining of PTA is not mandatory and so I do not owe them any dues whatsoever.

I prefer the model of PTO - I prefer that the school keeps the money - entirely. There is a reason that the PTAs across the nation is losing membership even as enrollments are rising.

http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/292-pto-vs-pta-whats-the-difference



http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/292-pto-vs-pta-whats-the-difference

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is also the way things work! There would be no school PTA if there wasn't someone to support the umbrella organization.

I don't understand this statement. Plenty of schools have effective parent associations that are not affiliated with a national group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is also the way things work! There would be no school PTA if there wasn't someone to support the umbrella organization.

I don't understand this statement. Plenty of schools have effective parent associations that are not affiliated with a national group.

Name one in Montgomery County please

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And the OP complaining about $15 PTA dues but yet wants a free directory that the PTA spends hours putting together. Seriously?

The OP stated that she donates. I think if you contribute a dish for teacher appreciation, work the carnival or do any of the other endless volunteer jobs you have provided enough to get a directory. I think it's just looks cheap and manipulative to hold out the directory for membership.

PTA's pay 1.25 for Mont. Co PTA and 3.75 to Maryland and National PTA dues per every member. I can see the value in the Montgomery county PTA. but not the Maryland or National PTA organizations.

OP here. Actually I would like to pay for the directory, but not join the PTA. Infact, if the PTA charged me the same amount that a PTA membership costed (or slightly more), without making me a member, all that money would go to my school. I would prefer that.

I donate directly to the school for all kinds of things - teacher appreciation being one of them. I participate in PTA organized book fairs and have directly donated for fundraisers where children are supposed to sell things to the neighbors etc. I just do not want to be in the PTA because I feel that the PTA should be waiving any dues from poor SES schools.

Do you have a child in a high-poverty school, or is this just a general statement of principle?

If it's a statement of principle, what have you done to make your opinion clear to the people who could change the policy, or have you just refused to pay the PTA dues without any explanation?

I found about how the PTA dues were divvied up after my child was in a high-poverty school. I made the opinion clear to PTA (since I was an active member of the PTA board) but no dice. The PTA really did not bring much value to the school. The only fundraising that was effective was the scholastic book fair for the school. The PTA fees was only $6 because of the poverty level. So the school kept only $1 of the dues. If the MD and National PTA is so blind as to not be sensitive to the reality and need in such schools I do not have the time or inclination to be part of this group.

I just feel that my money is better served by giving directly to the school, which I do. I have not refused to pay PTA dues, I refuse to join the PTA as a member. Joining of PTA is not mandatory and so I do not owe them any dues whatsoever.

I prefer the model of PTO - I prefer that the school keeps the money - entirely. There is a reason that the PTAs across the nation is losing membership even as enrollments are rising.

http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/292-pto-vs-pta-whats-the-difference



http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/292-pto-vs-pta-whats-the-difference

See this is where you are ignorant. The PTA brings so much value to the school and could do even more if more people stopped complaining about the PTA and actually worked with the PTA. Our first restaurant night brought in over $1000. We just had a bake sale for election day. We sell spirit wear/magnets/water bottles, we sell coupon books, we do a book fair, we do a basket raffle. Someone works the shopping cards, another collects box tops. All of these things combine to bring over 5 figures back to the school each year. We just purchased 10 chrome books for the school, added new playground equipment 2 years ago, got our learning specialists laptops, and new speakers in the all-purpose rooms. A few years back we even purchased translator headphones. So that does not equal "bringing little value" to the school.

And they also run and plan many non-fundraising events. Dances, Talent Show, Storybook Night, Book Swap, International Night - all free to every student due to funding.

And they give back with Teacher Appreciation, Sponsor a Family in Need, Coat Drive, Veteran's Parade, School Supply Donate Day, Halloween costume drive, etc....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And the OP complaining about $15 PTA dues but yet wants a free directory that the PTA spends hours putting together. Seriously?

The OP stated that she donates. I think if you contribute a dish for teacher appreciation, work the carnival or do any of the other endless volunteer jobs you have provided enough to get a directory. I think it's just looks cheap and manipulative to hold out the directory for membership.

PTA's pay 1.25 for Mont. Co PTA and 3.75 to Maryland and National PTA dues per every member. I can see the value in the Montgomery county PTA. but not the Maryland or National PTA organizations.

OP here. Actually I would like to pay for the directory, but not join the PTA. Infact, if the PTA charged me the same amount that a PTA membership costed (or slightly more), without making me a member, all that money would go to my school. I would prefer that.

I donate directly to the school for all kinds of things - teacher appreciation being one of them. I participate in PTA organized book fairs and have directly donated for fundraisers where children are supposed to sell things to the neighbors etc. I just do not want to be in the PTA because I feel that the PTA should be waiving any dues from poor SES schools.

Do you have a child in a high-poverty school, or is this just a general statement of principle?

If it's a statement of principle, what have you done to make your opinion clear to the people who could change the policy, or have you just refused to pay the PTA dues without any explanation?

I found about how the PTA dues were divvied up after my child was in a high-poverty school. I made the opinion clear to PTA (since I was an active member of the PTA board) but no dice. The PTA really did not bring much value to the school. The only fundraising that was effective was the scholastic book fair for the school. The PTA fees was only $6 because of the poverty level. So the school kept only $1 of the dues. If the MD and National PTA is so blind as to not be sensitive to the reality and need in such schools I do not have the time or inclination to be part of this group.

I just feel that my money is better served by giving directly to the school, which I do. I have not refused to pay PTA dues, I refuse to join the PTA as a member. Joining of PTA is not mandatory and so I do not owe them any dues whatsoever.

I prefer the model of PTO - I prefer that the school keeps the money - entirely. There is a reason that the PTAs across the nation is losing membership even as enrollments are rising.

http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/292-pto-vs-pta-whats-the-difference



http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/292-pto-vs-pta-whats-the-difference

See this is where you are ignorant. The PTA brings so much value to the school and could do even more if more people stopped complaining about the PTA and actually worked with the PTA. Our first restaurant night brought in over $1000. We just had a bake sale for election day. We sell spirit wear/magnets/water bottles, we sell coupon books, we do a book fair, we do a basket raffle. Someone works the shopping cards, another collects box tops. All of these things combine to bring over 5 figures back to the school each year. We just purchased 10 chrome books for the school, added new playground equipment 2 years ago, got our learning specialists laptops, and new speakers in the all-purpose rooms. A few years back we even purchased translator headphones. So that does not equal "bringing little value" to the school.

And they also run and plan many non-fundraising events. Dances, Talent Show, Storybook Night, Book Swap, International Night - all free to every student due to funding.

And they give back with Teacher Appreciation, Sponsor a Family in Need, Coat Drive, Veteran's Parade, School Supply Donate Day, Halloween costume drive, etc....

Do you have a reading comprehension problem? Or are you the worst kind of ignorant - the DCUM ignorant?

There are alternatives to PTA and many people are following that model. PTO or non-affiliated parent groups being one. You can have everything that you mentioned without PTA in your school.

However, I support my school PTA by donating and helping. I just do not become a PTA member. My money, my choice!

[Anonymous]

9:44, you are a true dirtbag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


Do you have a reading comprehension problem? Or are you the worst kind of ignorant - the DCUM ignorant?

There are alternatives to PTA and many people are following that model. PTO or non-affiliated parent groups being one. You can have everything that you mentioned without PTA in your school.

However, I support my school PTA by donating and helping. I just do not become a PTA member. My money, my choice!

Yes, you (or somebody) keep saying that.

But now that you've made your choice, you should accept the consequence of your choice -- which is that you don't get a student directory, because your school's PTA only provides the student directory to PTA members.

[Anonymous]

I prefer the model of PTO - I prefer that the school keeps the money - entirely. There is a reason that the PTAs across the nation is losing membership even as enrollments are rising.

The primary advantage of being part of the PTA umbrella organization is falling under their 501(3)c status. Donors can't deduct their donations and the Parent Organization would also have to pay taxes on donations/fundraising. Going at it alone, you have to incorporate in your state (to protect officers from personal liability), obtain a federal EIN and file for your own 5013c status with the IRS. Insurance is also much cheaper under the PTA umbrella than PTO.

If you've ever been part of a PTA board you would realize how difficult it is to transition from year to year. Usually the primary money managers: treasurer, membership, fundraising move on when they change schools. Continuity is very difficult to maintain, and having the 501(3)c status, insurance taken care of is a huge value. Parents don't realize how much personal liability PTA officers expose themselves to our how much time the volunteer jobs take.

Yes, you can go at it alone as an organization and form a PTO but it is an enormous amount of work when there are less and less parents who are willing to take on the astounding amount of time that a PTA/PTO officer roles take. I wonder if the OP that hates the National, State and County PTA dues would be willing to dedicate the equivalent of a full time job required to turn a PTA into a PTO? Probably not...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Do you have a reading comprehension problem? Or are you the worst kind of ignorant - the DCUM ignorant?

There are alternatives to PTA and many people are following that model. PTO or non-affiliated parent groups being one. You can have everything that you mentioned without PTA in your school.

However, I support my school PTA by donating and helping. I just do not become a PTA member. My money, my choice!

Yes, you (or somebody) keep saying that.

But now that you've made your choice, you should accept the consequence of your choice -- which is that you don't get a student directory, because your school's PTA only provides the student directory to PTA members.

Keep the dang directory. Who gave you the permission to include my name anyway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I prefer the model of PTO - I prefer that the school keeps the money - entirely. There is a reason that the PTAs across the nation is losing membership even as enrollments are rising.

The primary advantage of being part of the PTA umbrella organization is falling under their 501(3)c status. Donors can't deduct their donations and the Parent Organization would also have to pay taxes on donations/fundraising. Going at it alone, you have to incorporate in your state (to protect officers from personal liability), obtain a federal EIN and file for your own 5013c status with the IRS. Insurance is also much cheaper under the PTA umbrella than PTO.

If you've ever been part of a PTA board you would realize how difficult it is to transition from year to year. Usually the primary money managers: treasurer, membership, fundraising move on when they change schools. Continuity is very difficult to maintain, and having the 501(3)c status, insurance taken care of is a huge value. Parents don't realize how much personal liability PTA officers expose themselves to our how much time the volunteer jobs take.

Yes, you can go at it alone as an organization and form a PTO but it is an enormous amount of work when there are less and less parents who are willing to take on the astounding amount of time that a PTA/PTO officer roles take. I wonder if the OP that hates the National, State and County PTA dues would be willing to dedicate the equivalent of a full time job required to turn a PTA into a PTO? Probably not...

No, they rather just complain about it instead. Typical DC Metro parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't understand this statement. Plenty of schools have effective parent associations that are not affiliated with a national group.

Name one in Montgomery County please

My mistake - wandered into the wrong forum. Carry on.