Anonymous wrote:Whatever happened to free choice?
I donate directly to the school and PTA - a lot more than many people do. I donate time and money to all kinds of activities within the school. I also buy generously at the book fairs and make sure that I buy and donate from the teacher's wish list.
I just don't like being part of the PTA.

But, seeing some of the bitchy remarks here - I am quite happy that I am not part of such a cliquey group. If the PTA stops being run by horribly bitchy queen bees and wannabes - more people might join.

Nothing happened to it. In fact, you're using it, by not joining the PTA. That's your free choice. Similarly, it's the PTA's free choice to distribute student directories only to PTA members.

Whatever happened to free choice?
I donate directly to the school and PTA - a lot more than many people do. I donate time and money to all kinds of activities within the school. I also buy generously at the book fairs and make sure that I buy and donate from the teacher's wish list.
I just don't like being part of the PTA.

But, seeing some of the bitchy remarks here - I am quite happy that I am not part of such a cliquey group. If the PTA stops being run by horribly bitchy queen bees and wannabes - more people might join.

Why do you leap from a few remarks on the Internet to condemning PTA members as horrible bitches? That seems like a huge extrapolation to me.

You have free choice not to buy a PTA produced product, just like you have the free choice not to buy books in Barnes and Noble. You can also go to the principal and explain your principles and ask to get a copy, politely contact the PTA president and explain your principles and ask for a copy, join the PTA and work toward changing the policy, make sure there is a free copy in the school library, make a copy of a directory belonging to a friend, ask to join while deducting the national contribution, etc. Lots of choices.

Anonymous wrote:...oh, and of course, regional PTAs can put pressure on boards of education and push forward changes in legislation.

Like 2.0?

What does the PTA thinks about that?

Anonymous wrote:
PTA board member here. A few MCPS schools still distribute a free directory, which they make on the cheap (sheets stapled together). I think this is an excellent idea!

However most PTAs spend a few more dollars for their directory (our PTA produces a fancy bound version which costs thousands of dollars) and want to have a net gain in their budget by selling membership with directory. Although I see that 99.9% of parents can easily afford the $40 membership in our community, I don't particularly like it.

Out of curiosity OP, why don't you want a tiny portion of your money to got to National and MD PTAs? It doesn't take away from what your school PTA can afford in terms of cultural, scientific and academic support.
It is also the way things work! There would be no school PTA if there wasn't someone to support the umbrella organization.
There are a ton of people who work VERY hard at those levels to keep local PTAs organized and educated. Have you been to a MCCPTA workshops? They offer all kinds of training (PTA treasurer for ex) and the opportunity to troubleshoot your local problems with other experienced members of other PTAs.
Not entirely sure I follow your logic here...

$40 for a membership!!! Well, this is not the reality of the low performing and high FARMS schools. They give more to National and MD PTA in fees than what is collected in fees from the few people who become members. There is NO VALUE whatsoever that being part of the PTA brings to these schools.

How about the MD and National PTA not take any money from these schools? Why don't you ladies sit and discuss this idea?

Whatever happened to free choice?
I donate directly to the school and PTA - a lot more than many people do. I donate time and money to all kinds of activities within the school. I also buy generously at the book fairs and make sure that I buy and donate from the teacher's wish list.
I just don't like being part of the PTA.

But, seeing some of the bitchy remarks here - I am quite happy that I am not part of such a cliquey group. If the PTA stops being run by horribly bitchy queen bees and wannabes - more people might join.

...oh, and of course, regional PTAs can put pressure on boards of education and push forward changes in legislation.

PTA board member here. A few MCPS schools still distribute a free directory, which they make on the cheap (sheets stapled together). I think this is an excellent idea!

However most PTAs spend a few more dollars for their directory (our PTA produces a fancy bound version which costs thousands of dollars) and want to have a net gain in their budget by selling membership with directory. Although I see that 99.9% of parents can easily afford the $40 membership in our community, I don't particularly like it.

Out of curiosity OP, why don't you want a tiny portion of your money to got to National and MD PTAs? It doesn't take away from what your school PTA can afford in terms of cultural, scientific and academic support.
It is also the way things work! There would be no school PTA if there wasn't someone to support the umbrella organization.
There are a ton of people who work VERY hard at those levels to keep local PTAs organized and educated. Have you been to a MCCPTA workshops? They offer all kinds of training (PTA treasurer for ex) and the opportunity to troubleshoot your local problems with other experienced members of other PTAs.
Not entirely sure I follow your logic here...

PTA or GTfO

My school is doing this for the first year. Directory USED to go to everyone, now, for the first time you have to join the pta to get the directory. I joined the pta simpley so I could buy the directory. If there was a choice to purchase the directory I would have done that.

Anonymous wrote:I hate people like the OP who enjoy not putting any money into their PTA. What a selfish human being.

NP - And I hate people like you. So we are even.

I hate people like the OP who enjoy not putting any money into their PTA. What a selfish human being.

I have two kids in different MCPS ES's. One hands out the directory to everyone and the other gives it to PTA members only.

^^ Don't know. In our MCPS MS - we printed the directory for the members for free and started selling it to the non-members.

However, it was a low performing MS with a handful of PTA members, and very few people cared about the directory to but it (cost was only $5). So, we started to send the PDF files to to PTA members and the same to anyone who wanted to buy! No one did

Is this normal in MoCo for the directory to be a school PTA project? At our Arlington ES, the directory is produced by the school office and every family gets it (without a fee).

Anonymous wrote:At ours the PTA produces the directory and you get a directory as part of your membership. Non members can buy directories but not until a couple months later.

I assume it's legal -getting a school directory isn't required by state or even federal law.

Love this idea!