Category: Money Matters

The Illinois PTA State Board of Directors has proposed a $0.50 dues increase starting July 1, 2023. Delegates to the Illinois PTA Convention will vote on the proposal as part of the business of convention on April 20, 2023. Here’s what PTAs need to know about the proposed dues increase. Why a Dues Increase? The … Continue reading What You Need to Know About the Proposed Illinois PTA Dues Increase

Every year, PTAs enter into a variety of contracts. Whether it is a contract with a fundraising company for a fundraiser, with a bounce house supplier for a fun fair, or a local artist to conduct a workshop at a PTA event, the PTA is entering into a legal agreement and needs to be aware … Continue reading PTAs and Contracts

Most people think that president is the toughest job in PTA, but in reality, it is probably the treasurer’s job that is the hardest. Not that the work is difficult—it is mostly just addition and subtraction and attention to details—but that the stakes are high. As treasurer, you are ensuring that all the PTA funds … Continue reading Top 10 Tips for New PTA Treasurers

While running a PTA is a volunteer job, to the state of Illinois and the federal government, it is running a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With that official role comes some legal obligations, most of which focus on financial issues. Here are seven tips to help you get your PTA year off on good financial footing. … Continue reading 7 Tips for a Strong Financial PTA Year

The Illinois PTA State Board of Directors has proposed a $0.75 dues increase starting July 1, 2022. Delegates to the Illinois PTA Convention in Springfield on March 29-30, 2022 will vote on the proposal as part of the business of convention. Here’s what PTAs need to know about the proposed dues increase. Why a Dues … Continue reading What PTAs Need to Kow About the Illinois PTA Proposed Dues Increase

A beloved teacher at your school dies. A family’s house burns down, and while they all escaped safely, they are left without anything. A child at your school has a serious health issue, and the family is struggling to pay medical bills. Every school is a community, and every community faces tragedy now and then. … Continue reading PTA Funds and Tragedy

One of the more common fundraising questions from PTAs concerns various games of chance—raffles, “squares,” and other similar activities. The appeal of such fundraisers is apparent, as they are often very easy to run and have the potential to raise a significant amount of money. However, such activities are heavily regulated in Illinois and may … Continue reading PTAs and Fundraising: Games of Chance

In response to an increasing number of questions from PTAs regarding fundraising and alcohol, the Illinois PTA State Board of Directors has adopted the following policy for local PTAs, PTA Councils, districts, regions, and the State Board of Directors. Like every PTA activity, fundraising should be conducted in alignment with our mission: to make every … Continue reading Illinois PTA Policy on Fundraising and Alcohol

Theft and fraud are relatively rare in PTA, but it does happen. For PTAs that are using best practices when handling money, making deposits, and writing checks, they are even less likely to occur. By being proactive and examining your PTA’s processes and controls, your PTA can better avoid being a victim of theft or … Continue reading 10 Steps to Deal with Suspected Fraud or Theft in Your PTA

The budget and finance committee develops a budget to meet the needs of the PTA’s programs and activities. After the PTA has adopted the budget, the budget and finance chairman (usually the treasurer) is responsible for assuring that PTA money is disbursed in accordance with the budget, presenting necessary amendments to the budget at executive … Continue reading Is Your PTA Ready with a Budget for This Year?

It happens to almost every PTA every year. A check for membership, spirit wear, or a fundraiser gets returned. Depending on what the check was for, the PTA can be left responsible for full payment on merchandise already received. Here’s how to handle bad checks. Your PTA’s check handling policies should go in your PTA’s … Continue reading How to Handle Bad Checks