110 likes | 168 Vues
Explore the merger proposal to combine resources, enhance education, and adapt to community needs while explaining PTA vs. PTO differences and benefits. Celebrate the past, build for the future.
E N D
“to explore the ability to combine the District 731/2 PTA and Foundation for 2009-2010… Main Idea/Proposal …and establish a PTO
PTA vs. PTO?So what's the difference?* • Whereas the PTA is a national organization with representation in Washington and state capitols, PTOs are autonomous, local initiatives. • Supporters of PTOs say the organizations keep funds within the community and do a better job of managing local issues. • PTA officials, on the other hand, stress the importance of their organization's political reach and its extensive resources and leadership-training programs. • PTAs represent less than 25% of the parent-school organizations (2007) • *see more resources online (last page)
Positive Benefits… • Combines the (human and monetary) resources to support our schools and enhance our children’s education. • Allows the organization to obtain legal 501(c)(3) status • “tax-deductible donations to the fullest extent allowed by law”
More Benefits… 3. Will allow each organization to retain the event(s) and program(s) that remain consistent with their original mission • “keep what’s near and dear…” • While allowing the continuation of the collaborative events of recent years • Family Fun Fair • International Night …and those not yet created!
And more benefits… 5. Facilitate change necessary to adapt to the changing face of our district: • Economy • Demographics • Level of volunteer commitment • Property tax (loss of business tax base)
Even more benefits… 6. Easier name recognition and identification with the reason for our organization: • “PTO” is easier to understand/identify with than “Foundation” • Our multicultural community/ immigrant families are inexperienced with philanthropy and “giving” concepts. • They DO support teachers and schools!
Bottom Line… • “We are a small district with few resources, yet yield large outcomes! • The parent volunteers who have led our organizations are facing new (real) challenges-- “why do we need two separate organizations that essentially have the same goal? …to enhance the educational opportunities of our children?” • “Celebrate the Past--Build for the Future”
Draw-Backs • Historical significance of contributions by past leaders and volunteers • Have we “failed” our respective organizations? • Will take effort, time and resources to establish NEW organization concurrently during year (forms, legal counsel, timeliness, educating community of plans)
Sponsor/Participate in community-building/social activities Teacher Grants Promote positive Home & School Communication Provide civic leadership, responsibilities Enrich and enhance the educational opportunities for our school children Family Nights FUNdraisers District 73.5 PTO NSS Walk-a-Thon Calendar $ Cultural Arts International Night Environmental Issues Pumpkin Night Directory $ ELL Center $ Room Parents Family Fun Fair Alumni Donations $ $ Teacher Socials
Online Resources • PTA s. PTO • pto-vs-pta-differences-at-a-glance • Illinois Loop- Parent Organizations • 501(c)(3)'s for PTO's • Ed Week Blog