Being in the Bahamas, I am pretty sure they use the term PTA as a generic organization. I did find the national PTA site in my research, but nothing of a Bahamian chapter. Probably breaking some sort of name infringment or copywrite laws with using the term PTA, but being in another country (who really doesn't seem to care about things like that--you should see the bootleg stuff sold here) I don't know that the Bahamian PTAs are even aware that there is a notional US organization.
What are the dues used for? Supplies for meetings (paper, printing, etc) and materials needed for fund raisers (posters, monies put out upfront to purchase wholesale what may be sold)? I think it is difficult enough to get parents to participate (always seems to be the same ones on committees), adding a "fee" on top of it may make meeting attendance in general slim out even more.
Sorry, I didn't know you were in the Bahamas. Since you aren't affiliated with any U.S. school I would think you could call your Bahamian parent/teacher organization anything you want.
In reference to dues, about 2 weeks before the start of the school year, each teacher is given a $100.00 grant to use for their classroom. We are lucky to live in a good school district in our state, but on the whole, our state is very education poor. These initial $5.00 dues from each family at the start of the school year help put money towards those teacher grants. As far as the cost of the dues, I would say about 80% of our families pay the $5.00 fee per year. I think the $5.00 is such a minimal fee per family, I don't think it deters too many people. And, actually, anyone who wants to attend our 2 annual school-wide meetings is welcome ~ we don't really turn anyone away. Any actual voting on PTO matters is done by the executive board, which is made up of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and 14 at-large members. At the beginning of the year a list of volunteer opportunities is sent out to all families. Anyone who wants to help out with the PTO and it's activivites can sign up to volunteer under different areas such as:
Membership Committee - Will oversee PTO membership; PTO volunteers; Nominating new members.
Faculty Appreciation Committee - Will oversee teacher grants and gifts; Teacher/Faculty appreciation Day or Days; New teachers tea; Back-to-School brunch
Communications Committee - Will oversee p.r. and promos for local papers or Montgomery Parents Magazine; submit items for school and county website;
PTO newletter for parents; PTO flyers, sign-ups, etc.
T-Shirt Committee - Will oversee ordering and sales of T-shirts, magnets, antenna toppers, etc.
Fundraising Committee - Will oversee Major Fall fundraiser; come up with smaller fundraising ideas for later in the year.
Special Events Committee—Will oversee Fall Festival, Donuts for Dads/Muffins for Mom; Art Night
School-Wide PTO Meeting Committee—Arrange for guest speaker(s); advertising; meal; door prizes
This is a list of some of school expenses our PTO paid out last year:
Books $350-500
Library AR tests $4,000
Computer shelves $1500
Math sets $1000 – 1500
Christmas Teachers luncheon $1000
Carpet cleaning $900
Closed circuit TV system $5800
New Teacher Tea $400 – 1,000
Teacher Appreciation week (food & gifts) $1900
Special Ed CD player $40
SAT scoring & materials $4500 - 6000
AR store items $1800
Bulletin board paper $500
Copies/supplies $250
Cash boxes $720
Phonics cards $250
Helpers $320
TV’s $1700
Projector $150
Magician/Santa, etc $200-600
Good slip parties $100-300
desks, additional tv’s, kidney shaped tables - $20,000 – 30,000
Awards day $500
Teacher Grants $4,500
Risograph copier for school office $3,500
I hope some of this info helps.
