Oh, I am not trying to pick a fight. I am just trying to get some people to think about the bigger picture. And I did look at your other reasons. I guess they just seem like excuses to me. One night a month for an hour or so wouldn't really take away from your family time I think. Plus it would send a message to your children that it is important to work with your school. Our children spend 180 days a year at school and I for one want it to be as nice as possible for them while they are there.

I don't have kids yet, but I always roll my eyes when my nieces come along with the fundraiser book. Last year they did have a good fundraiser for Yankee candles that were priced the same as in the store, def. a worth while fundraiser and it took care of a lot of xmas gifts. But this year it is back to the wrapping paper/candy/junk. I would rather just donate money rather than buy these things. I think when my children are that age, that is exactly what I will do - throw away the fundraiser book and write them a check.

__________________
Mom to Kaylee (10/2006)
Waiting on our second bundle of joy to arrive January 2009!

Maggie,

hmmmmmmm, you picked my post out of the pile of them that were all saying basically the same thing, yet you are not trying to pick a fight. You say that my personal reasons seem like "excuses" to you. Two things on that, first you don't know our schedual. My dh works two jobs that require him to be away from our family Monday - Friday days and Tuesday - Saturday nights. That's a lot. I wouldn't think of taking that very tiny bit of family time that that leaves to run off and discuss selling $13 cookie dough. Secondly, who the heck are you to judge how I choose to use my time and when I get to volunteer. I am sending the message to my children that the very most important thing is family because that is what I truly believe. Lastly, if the pta wants more participation perhaps they should take a look at their fundraisers. People can't always give that kind of money and it is particularly bothersom to know that most of that hard earned money doesn't even go to the school, it goes to the venders. Perhaps they should find some other kind of event that would allow them to earn money like some of the other ladies have mentioned.

I'm irritated with your responses, but all and all, I received some very good information from this post as well as some of the others mentioned here. I am going to offer some of the other productive ideas to our school to see if they would possibly be interested in them for future fundraisers.

As for your comment about being happy that you don't have people like some of us (and I did find that offensive) in your school district, please reread some of the posts that mention the cliques and what a turn off that can be.

__________________
The mighty oak started out as a nut that held its ground.

Treehugger, I am really not picking on you. Your posts just jumped out the farthest off the screen. What you typed was exactly what I was irritated about. I am so tired of people complaining and making excuses. This board is just not what it used to be. This is my last post. I'm outta here.

differences of opinions turn 'em away every time.

So true! heheheh!

I have joined the PTA, paid the $10.00 to join! but I dont knwo if I will go to anything, everything seems to be in the daytime and I work, so cant make it, with the fundraisers I havent seen anything bad yet, we have a walkathon, which is great, and they told us dont go door to door, I asked DS to ask his aunts and uncles, he said no, so I didn ask them and me and DH will sponser him about $10 each. That should do it.

__________________
We buy things we dont need,
with money we dont have,
in order to impress people
we dont like?
(Ramsey, D)

Our PTA does not charge to be a member. I wasn't aware PTA's did this. I would NOT pay to join. To me that is a way to exclude those that cannot afford to join.

I personally have not gone, I considered it last week, it was the first one of the year, but DH had a RARE day off (he commutes quite a distance and sometimes works more than 5 days a week) so I did not go.

I did just learn they DO offer child care, so maybe next month I will check it out. It is hard to have it at a good time for all-- ours is at 7, and bedtime is 8 or 8:30 at the latest. I would like to see the minutes from the meeting.