Reply to How is Boosterthon allowed in Maryland schools?

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[quote=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.

[i]
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[/i]

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?

[/quote]

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