How is Boosterthon allowed in Maryland schools?

[Anonymous]

Our school is having a Boosterthon and when I googled it, I found multiple websites saying they are a scam. I don't understand how the Maryland PTA allows it after reading their fundraising by-laws.


FUND RAISING GUIDELINES
Fund raising projects should be for a definite, pre-determined, and budgeted purpose that furthers the Purposes of the PTA.
? It must be non-commercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.
? It must never exploit children. Children should NEVER be used as door-to-door sales-
persons.
? Class time should never be used for fund raising.
? Gambling raffles, or any form of entertainment that may be detrimental to character
building or that may place the PTA at risk for liability or embarrassment should not be undertaken. In addition, the funds raised from these activities may be subject to taxa- tion and, in extreme circumstances, may cause the PTA involved to lose its tax-exempt status. Local, county and state laws may regulate these activities.
? PTAs should not sponsor fund raising events where alcoholic beverages are consumed as they may place the PTA at risk for liability. See Appendix A-2
? A PTA must consider local, state and federal laws and/or taxes and obtain all permits and/or licenses whenever necessary or required by local ordinances.
? Safety should be a prime considere


My kids are being exploited and basically harassed daily to go get pledges from friends, family, and neighbors. Neighbors is door to door.
There was a 1 hour "pep rally" during school to start and everyday until the fun run, each class have been sent to the gym at random times to be reminded to sell and given kudos to who is selling/pledging. So isn't this class time being used for fundraising?
There are daily emails sent to me from her teacher about raising enough pledges to make a certain amount for our class as well as competing against other classes. I have never ever received direct emails from teachers about any other fundraiser.
There are emails, direct connect and newsletters from the principal about it.

It just makes my stomach turn. If a school, the staff, and PTA put this much effort into a direct school fundraiser, they would make more money and get to keep 100% of the profit. They never disclose that Boosterthon keeps over half the profits raised. Parents and their pledges are clueless how much they give to a for-profit company who comes in to disrupt class, entice with toys, and has kids compete with each other. How does the Maryland PTA allow this when their fundraising by-laws clearly say they shouldn't? And the treasury by-laws also state that unless 85% or more of your workers at a fundraiser are volunteers, you have to pay federal and state taxes on all earned funds. So since the Booterthon workers are all paid employees, you measly half proceeds will also be subjected to 30% taxes. Shameful!

Please contact the Maryland PTA and ask why?

[Anonymous]

already a thread on this:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/533223.page

but yea, it sucks. we are boycotting it. some have complained to mccpta but they don't think it's a problem. just boycott it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:already a thread on this:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/533223.page

but yea, it sucks. we are boycotting it. some have complained to mccpta but they don't think it's a problem. just boycott it.

But I don't like that people are not made aware. What did MCCPTA say?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:already a thread on this:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/533223.page

but yea, it sucks. we are boycotting it. some have complained to mccpta but they don't think it's a problem. just boycott it.

But I don't like that people are not made aware. What did MCCPTA say?

I got no response. Someone else stated on this forum that they did get a response, which was "we don't see a problem with it".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:already a thread on this:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/533223.page

but yea, it sucks. we are boycotting it. some have complained to mccpta but they don't think it's a problem. just boycott it.

But I don't like that people are not made aware. What did MCCPTA say?

I got no response. Someone else stated on this forum that they did get a response, which was "we don't see a problem with it".

I am the poster from the other thread who contacted the MCCPTA about this a few years ago. It's possible things may have changed now, so it's worth writing again, I suppose. The exact response I got was as follows:

"MCCPTA does not have a policy on what fundraisers are selected by the local PTAs or how they are conducted. Each local, however, does need the approval and follows the guidance of their Principal. From personal experience, I believe it is common practice of certain fundraising companies to come in to the school for "pep rallies" to encourage students to participate. You may wish to express your concern regarding this activity to your local PTA and/or school Principal.

Regards -
Frances Frost
MCCPTA President"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since primary elections for Board of Education are coming up next week, I emailed all of the candidates to ask their position on these types of fundraisers in schools and whether they would work to ban this kind of fundraiser in MCPS. I will pass along any responses I get to this board, but I highly encourage other parents who are concerned about Boosterthon and other companies with similar fundraising practices to send their own emails. The louder our voice, the more likely that action will be taken.

This is a really good idea. I would love to hear their responses.

So far, I've received positive responses from Michael Ibanez and Jeanette Dixon.

Ibanez said that as a former principal and teacher he dislikes the fundraisers and that "Not only do they take away instructional time, but have no place in schools. The bottom line is that it's hurts the students." He did not say that he would take specific action, though.

Dixon said that she is opposed to these fundraisers and that if elected she would put it on her list of things to investigate.

I haven't heard back from the other candidates yet.

Power is in numbers, so if you're opposed to these fundraisers I highly recommend sending your own emails to the candidates so that they know this is an issue that many parents are concerned about and that the candidates' position on this issue will inform your choice of who to vote for in the primary election.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if anyone will see this at this point, but its still happening. Its so sad to tell parents we raised 35k when we raised 70+ and its embarrassing to be a part of.

[Anonymous]

Maybe a county wide Boosterthon is what we need to close the budget deficit

[Anonymous]

Hate boosterthon. Worst part is kids get gifts according to the amount their parents donated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hate boosterthon. Worst part is kids get gifts according to the amount their parents donated.

Completely agree. At our school Ridgeview Middle they have the boosterthon and the funds raised helped kids pay for the end of year orchestra/band/chorus Hershey park trip. One of my child’s friends raised a lot of money and it helped her get a free ticket to the park (the field trip cost $133), but she raised money way over that like maybe $600-700 dollars from family and friends. It made me wonder if the family and friends knew how much was wasted and given to the fundraiser company. I’m sure if the student had just said I would like $133 for the trip and if you wrote me a check for $133, 100% of it would go to me, they would have gladly don’t this as opposed to giving so much to the fundraiser.
They also had a party for those who raised the most money…sending the wrong message to poor people that they can’t have fun bc they are poor. My child also wanted to raise money, because her friends were doing it,and was angry with me when instead I wrote a direct check to the PTA to help with anyone who needed funds for the trip. The whole company was quite disgusting and in poor taste.

[Anonymous]

Be vocal if your school brings in Boosterthon. Refuse to contribute and tell other parents that half of the money goes to an unethical for-profit company. Tell your kids that it's a scam and that there are real ways to raise money for their school but that this isn't one that your family will participate in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:already a thread on this:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/533223.page

but yea, it sucks. we are boycotting it. some have complained to mccpta but they don't think it's a problem. just boycott it.

But I don't like that people are not made aware. What did MCCPTA say?

I got no response. Someone else stated on this forum that they did get a response, which was "we don't see a problem with it".

I am the poster from the other thread who contacted the MCCPTA about this a few years ago. It's possible things may have changed now, so it's worth writing again, I suppose. The exact response I got was as follows:

"MCCPTA does not have a policy on what fundraisers are selected by the local PTAs or how they are conducted. Each local, however, does need the approval and follows the guidance of their Principal. From personal experience, I believe it is common practice of certain fundraising companies to come in to the school for "pep rallies" to encourage students to participate. You may wish to express your concern regarding this activity to your local PTA and/or school Principal.

Regards -
Frances Frost
MCCPTA President"

The school administrators are given a short intro to the BoosterThon. They don't really know how much of a cut the company takes. They support what the PTA wants with limited I nfo. It wasn't until after our school's fundraiser when the BoosterThon rep was going over the financials with administrators did they understand the situation and then voiced concern.

[Anonymous]

It shouldn’t be. I’d recommend making a series of t shirts with catch phrases and memes about how bad boosterthon is. Then have your child wear one each day.

[Anonymous]

I am not going to complain because organizing a fun run takes a lot of time. I just gave a donation directly to the PTA and took my child out for frozen yogurt after the run. I said that junky toys are bad for the Earth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be vocal if your school brings in Boosterthon. Refuse to contribute and tell other parents that half of the money goes to an unethical for-profit company. Tell your kids that it's a scam and that there are real ways to raise money for their school but that this isn't one that your family will participate in.

+1

I pulled my kid out of school during boosterthon the second year they did it. I was ignorant about it the first year, then read more about it. The more I read about it, the more horrified I was.

I told the school why I was pulling DC out. We did something "fun" and somewhat educational. I had never pulled my kids out of school before.

That year, I donated $$ to the PTA, and when they called to thank me, I told them that I was happy to write that check if they never do boosterthon ever again. BUT, I was told NOT to donate to the PTA until x months after boosterthon because otherwise, boosterthon would've seen that as part of the "fundraising", and they'd take a chunk of it. Total scam.