Please don't do this..

[MAKmom]

And what bank would that be written on ?
To Piggy, please take out .20 cents ?

I already replied to that.

 

[grlpwrd]

And what bank would that be written on ?
To Piggy, please take out .20 cents ?

EthansMom, I understand your frustration and I know you are just venting.

 

[Pigeon]

At the beginning of the year, one gets deluged with so much crap. If I happen to get the PTA form and decide to join, I will pay it with the money I happen to have on me at the time, whether that's bills or coin. The alternative is that I will put the form aside, and may never look at it again.

 

[Mono~rail]

One of the hallmark signs of poverty is a household that does not have a checking account. Of course, there could always be other reasons why a household doesn't have one, but it is a hallmark sign of poverty.

I couldn't imagine not having a bank account, but there are people who get by just fine without them. They cash checks at convenience stores for a fee, and they send payments in the form of money orders.

 

[Abbie]

our kids schools stopped accepting checks a couple of years ago. I have to say its really a pain because I don't keep much cash around the house and if I have any its usually a $20 I got at the ATM. I know I have had to send in change just because I don't have any small bills.

You're the second person to say their school does not accept checks and that totally shocks me! Our schools and rec councils will NOT accept cash. I was treasurer of our PTA for four years when my kids were young and treasurer of the local rec council for the last 11 years and it was a major no-no to take anything other than checks for whatever reason. It's standard good accounting practice. Of course, we did other things we weren't supposed to do, like I was the only signer on the checkbooks and the only one to deposit funds. There were days when there were literally thousands of dollars on my dining room table waiting to go to the bank, and then of course I could have written myself many checks over the years too! Don't think a "free" trip to the Bahamas didn't sound darn good some cold winters! Luckily (or stupidly?) I was just trusted to do the job and do it right.

On the other hand, our local school secretary was arrested last year for stealing tens of thousands of dollars over the years from fund raisers, school fees, yearbook fees, etc. Since then the procedures for handling funds in the school have become even more stringent! But paying with cash is not an option.

 

[Daxx]

One of the hallmark signs of poverty is a household that does not have a checking account. Of course, there could always be other reasons why a household doesn't have one, but it is a hallmark sign of poverty.

And, if they do, you can bet that the odds are on the check bouncing! Believe me, parents here have paid tuition w/checks from banks they no longer have accounts with. I guess it's to bide time and to not be charged the late fee ... which is higher than a returned check fee.

We had one mom who would pay tuition in $1 bills. Can you guess what her career was!?!?

 

[SwedishMeatball]

We had one mom who would pay tuition in $1 bills. Can you guess what her career was!?!?

A waitress?? Anyway, I would think in the case of tuition a parent would go to a bank and exchange it for higher bills, but whatever.

 

[escape]

A waitress?? Anyway, I would think in the case of tuition a parent would go to a bank and exchange it for higher bills, but whatever.

I was thinking stripper. jk - kind of.

Ethan's Mom - I agree. I get that you are just trying to say that it just makes it easier if people can pay with bills instead of coins but if that's all they have then, well, ok...it's better than not paying.

 

[grlpwrd]

Another one to say coins are a pain in that setting.
I was "Cookie Mom" for DD GS troop and coins were a nightmare.
You are not alone!

I am a leader and I have been cookie mom for the past 3 years. I used to think coins were a hassle until we got a counterfeit bill.

I think those were the worst. It was such a headache, I would rather count those coins. lol

 

[Daxx]

I was thinking stripper. jk - kind of.

We have a winner!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Green Tea]

I worked at our book fair and one child brought in a plastic bag of pennies to pay for his book. It was about a $7 bill.

I'm glad the parent cared enough to join (those dues sound high compared to around here) She probably had a chld anxious to take her parent's form in like the other children were doing, and that is what mom had in her wallet that morning. It wasn't paid in coins to make the treasurer post the dismay on a message board. It was probably paid that way because that child wanted to be proud that her/his mom joined the PTA when the teacher called for envelopes from home at the start of the school day. Never have much cash, always too many coins.

 

[Green Tea]

This next week, we'll be selling extra copies of our Student Directory. Every family gets one free copy, but in this small town, the Student Directory almost acts as the town phonebook, so we decided to print extra copies and charge a small fee to cover the printing.

Just out of curiosity, did you get releases from the familys for selling their names & personal information? We do directories as well, but I can't imagine being able to essentially sell their directory information without signed authorization.

 

[aprilgail2]

II'm glad the parent cared enough to join (those dues sound high compared to around here)

We give a choice in memebership dues-
7.00 for one parent and an additional 5 for the other parent

20.00 for a family of 4- I put down me, my daughter, grandma and her uncle and buy this one eash year

30.00 for a "diamond" membership, you get your name inthe school newspaper each time it comes out and a free t shirt. We usually have 25 people or so join at this rate

We usually end up with about 470 members and there are 450 kids in the school and we always get 100 percent teacher and staff enrollment each year.

We also give out coupons for everyone that joins, no matter what level....free kids meals at 2 different restaurant chains that are by us (worth 5.00 each), free ice cream cone at another (1.50) and free desert at another restaurant chain (an adult dessert so its worth 4.99 ) so if you use those coupons it actually pays to join and get them.

 

[Green Tea]

Coupons are a great idea!! Do the businesses donate them for the cause?

 

[EthansMom]

Just out of curiosity, did you get releases from the familys for selling their names & personal information? We do directories as well, but I can't imagine being able to essentially sell their directory information without signed authorization.

Nope, no signed authorization. Since the charge is only for extra copies and will just cover the printing, I don't imagine anyone will take issue with it.

Then again, we're a VERY small (~100 kids in the grade school) town where things are often done in the same manner they were done 30 or 40 years ago. For instance, our school has an "open door" policy; parents are welcome to come in and volunteer in the classroom (with prior arrangement) at any time. I've read, here on the DIS, about schools where parents aren't even allowed in the building. Not so, at our school. I volunteer to help DS's class in the computer lab and regularly encounter other Moms (and some Dads) coming and going from other classrooms. There's a check-in sheet in the main office and any strangers are certain to get questioned, but parents are welcomed with open arms which is really great.

 

[aprilgail2]

Coupons are a great idea!! Do the businesses donate them for the cause?

Yes, they are all donated.

 

[always_learning]

One of the hallmark signs of poverty is a household that does not have a checking account. Of course, there could always be other reasons why a household doesn't have one, but it is a hallmark sign of poverty.

I couldn't imagine not having a bank account, but there are people who get by just fine without them. They cash checks at convenience stores for a fee, and they send payments in the form of money orders.

Just because you don't use checks doesn't mean you don't have an account. Some people have the accounts for direct deposit but would rather use their debit card then pay for checks.

And, if they do, you can bet that the odds are on the check bouncing! Believe me, parents here have paid tuition w/checks from banks they no longer have accounts with. I guess it's to bide time and to not be charged the late fee ... which is higher than a returned check fee.

We had one mom who would pay tuition in $1 bills. Can you guess what her career was!?!?

I am not sure why it should matter what form of job this mother has. At least she is involved in her child's education.


Is a letter handed out that says you only accept cash bills or checks because if not then I don't see where you can complain.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I couldn't imagine not having a bank account, but there are people who get by just fine without them. They cash checks at convenience stores for a fee, and they send payments in the form of money orders.

both those cost money, that they do not have. it just adds to the poverty. But that is off topic...

I don't like change either. Except the change jar at home that we will cash in for WDW dining.

Mikeeee

 

[gina2000]

I understand your pain but coin is money. I used to run our book fair and a ton of kids used their own coin to buy books. We'd count out every penny so they didn't get cheated and threw in our own money when they came up short.

It's a niggling pain but worth the time and effort. I'm glad to see people are willing to scrape together money to participate.

 

[Hound 109]

Is a letter handed out that says you only accept cash bills or checks because if not then I don't see where you can complain.

I don't think the OP was complaining. This is my take:


- The OP is a volunteer.

- She (he) indicated that cash is easier (lighter) to deal with than coin.

- She asked (cheerfully) that people "consider" making payment in cash instead of coin.


I'm glad she mentioned this. I hadn't ever thought of this. I like to make things easier for people who volunteer their time.

Again...thanks OP.