ASB Badge #08 - Parent Support Groups-ASB Badge #8 PowerPoint

ASB Badge #8 PowerPoint

Pdf Summary

Parent Support Groups are volunteer organizations of parents and community members that support a school’s athletic, curricular, and extracurricular programs, often through fundraising and donations. They typically operate as Parent Booster Clubs or as PTA/PTSA organizations and work cooperatively with school administrators. Although they are not governed by the school district, they must follow board policies and procedures when fundraising, renting district facilities, making donations, or involving students.<br /><br />“PTA” and “PTSA” are registered service marks and may only be used by groups officially registered with the National Congress of Parents and Teachers and the Washington State PTA; the state PTA serves as the registered agent for local PTAs. Groups that are not registered as PTA/PTSA are generally considered PTOs and operate similarly to booster clubs; incorporation as a nonprofit is recommended. PTA/PTSAs are not “school-related” entities—they are independent, self-governing nonprofit membership associations with their own bylaws, officers, records, dues obligations, liability insurance, and often 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.<br /><br />The document emphasizes clear separation between school and parent-group activities. Indicators of a school fundraiser include staff handling cash, use of the district safe, school-name advertising, school inventorying items, board approval, and staff involvement during the workday. Parent-group fundraisers should be clearly branded with the group’s name, run and managed by non-staff, with funds collected and deposited into the group’s own bank account.<br /><br />Best practices include avoiding district tax IDs and school addresses, maintaining required corporate records and annual filings, using strong cash controls (two-person counts, timely deposits, two signatures on checks), providing regular financial reports, and conducting periodic internal reviews. Donations intended to cover specific school expenses should be given to the school/district for the district to pay, with attention to Title IX equity and district policies.

Keywords

parent support groups

booster clubs

PTA PTSA registration

PTO nonprofit incorporation

school fundraising policies

separation of school and parent activities

cash handling controls

donations to schools

district facility rental procedures

Title IX equity compliance