Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. To clarify: the PTA provides $300 towards "refreshments" for parent socials. Individual parents volunteer to "host" and can do so at their home or at a local business. They are usually at bars or restaurants. Yes they cover booze (will usually cover one drink for everyone and a few shared apps, the hosts will usually also kick in money).

I am fine with these events happening, I just don't think they should use money from the general fund. Most people who attend wind up buying food and drinks for themselves on top of what is offered anyway, and the hosts of the event could still pay for some shared apps if they want. It it could just be a happy hour. Heck, they could work with local businesses and see if they'd offer PTA members a discount for these events -- would get neighborhood people into these businesses so there's an incentive.

I've suggested all of this at meetings. Others on the PTA board agree with me. But the people who want to keep using PTA funds are influential, people do what they say. I think it is an abuse of power and that they are using PTA funds inappropriately.

What fraction of the budget is this? This is probably a drop in the bucket. The kids will be fine. The parents okay get to know each other better. You’re being weird about this if this is your typical well to do school. Just stop donating if you’re that upset.

we found the mom who uses PTA money to fund her wine habit!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PTA had a thank you breakfast for all volunteers last year. It was at 10:00am on a Tuesday. I think that should tell you everything you need to know about MY kid's school's PTA.

If it was in the evening, people would grumble about having to get a babysitter. (And the OP would chime in that this is a social event between adults that shouldn’t happen). They did it during school so you’d have childcare. But people will always look for a reason to take out their frustrations on the PTA and the people who do volunteer to justify not volunteering or doing so less in the future.

Most adults are WORKING at 10:00AM on a Tuesday, but then, you already knew that.

Indeed. The choice is between asking people to take an hour off of work or hire a babysitter if the event is outside of school hours. People will complain about both things. Lots of people do not want to volunteer but don't want to admit that to themselves or others so they justify it by complaining about the PTA not being welcoming, the PTA being cliquey moms, the PTA not scheduling things at a time that is specifically convenient for them, etc. It's all a cop out. Admit you would rather free ride on the volunteer work of other people.

Most families have two parents. I don't know why SAHMommies don't trust their husbands. But also our school gives volunteer hours to middle schoolers to babysit in the library during PTA meetings, so that solves that problem.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. To clarify: the PTA provides $300 towards "refreshments" for parent socials. Individual parents volunteer to "host" and can do so at their home or at a local business. They are usually at bars or restaurants. Yes they cover booze (will usually cover one drink for everyone and a few shared apps, the hosts will usually also kick in money).

I am fine with these events happening, I just don't think they should use money from the general fund. Most people who attend wind up buying food and drinks for themselves on top of what is offered anyway, and the hosts of the event could still pay for some shared apps if they want. It it could just be a happy hour. Heck, they could work with local businesses and see if they'd offer PTA members a discount for these events -- would get neighborhood people into these businesses so there's an incentive.

I've suggested all of this at meetings. Others on the PTA board agree with me. But the people who want to keep using PTA funds are influential, people do what they say. I think it is an abuse of power and that they are using PTA funds inappropriately.

What fraction of the budget is this? This is probably a drop in the bucket. The kids will be fine. The parents okay get to know each other better. You’re being weird about this if this is your typical well to do school. Just stop donating if you’re that upset.

But it turns the PTA into a slush fund for non-school events. And when the events are not inclusive, it funnels money from the entire school community to a select few. These events could easily be unfunded and the PTA could just say "here's the info for the parent happy hour in Tuesday at Kearney's -- hope you can make it." That accomplishes the community aspect without spending PTA funds.

If you want to spend PTA funds, there should be some nexus with the school and for the direct benefit of the school/kids. Sure, parents grabbing drinks in a weeknight "builds community" but the connection is too loose to be a funded event.

Drawing clear boundaries for this kind of thing is how you avoid ethics problems, accusations about misuse of funds, and distrust and cynicism within the community.

For $300? It sounds like there is a budget line item here not a slush fund.