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AIBU?

PTA member using funds to buy presents for own children

71 replies

PantonePolly · 22/11/2013 20:04

A prominent member of our school PTA has mentioned in passing that she had been shopping for prizes for the Christmas Fair and had kept a couple of the items - for her daughters. She was quite pleased about it and laughingly said, "Well, there have to be some perks".

AIBU to be shocked by this? The money she's used is from PTA funds, largely donated by parents. Surely this is morally wrong (and actually fraudulent, albeit on a very minor scale)?

OP posts:

Report

Shakirasma · 22/11/2013 20:05

Its theft!

MunchMunch · 22/11/2013 20:06

I would not be happy, yeah perks are lovely but only if it's been agreed and authorised.

BruthasTortoise · 22/11/2013 20:06

It's fraud and / or theft. Report her to the HT and request an audit of the accounts. Scandalous.

YouTheCat · 22/11/2013 20:07

Report her to the head.

We had a PTA treasurer do a runner with the takings of the Christmas fair one year.

CrapBag · 22/11/2013 20:07

Wow!!!

I am on the PTA, although not in charge of money and this is truly shocking. I cannot imagine our treasurer doing this.

I would have to tell the chairperson.

squeaver · 22/11/2013 20:07

Outrageous! Yes that is theft.

Tiredemma · 22/11/2013 20:08

What an idiot.

Bigfingers · 22/11/2013 20:08

Unbelievable! Are you sure she's not joking???

PantonePolly · 22/11/2013 20:08

Ironically, it IS the Chair!

OP posts:

Bumbolina · 22/11/2013 20:09

Could it be a buy one get one free situation? (To be honest it's still theft I'm just clutching at straws as to why anyone would do this?!)

BruthasTortoise · 22/11/2013 20:09

Is she maybe getting 3 for 2 deals and keeping the "third" item ( thereby justifying it to herself!). It's still theft.

puntasticusername · 22/11/2013 20:09

Whoah!

And it's the Chair?

And she's bragging about it?

Fuck me...

Sunnymeg · 22/11/2013 20:10

Yes definitely report her to the head and chair of the PTA. At the very least her reasons for being on the PTA are dubious.

NorthernLurker · 22/11/2013 20:10

Is it possible she's been buying things on BOGOF or similar - and has kept the extra ones. SHe's still very wrong but perhaps that's why she thinks it's ok - because to her she's spent £5 on gift for fair - and happened to get a bonus one. Whereas I would say she's spent £2.50 apiece on TWO gifts iyswim?

NorthernLurker · 22/11/2013 20:11

x posted with everybody re BOGO. THat must be it surely?

MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 22/11/2013 20:12

Theft

Thatisall · 22/11/2013 20:12

Theft!! Report them. I think it's disgusting

puntasticusername · 22/11/2013 20:13

And it doesn't matter a bit if it's BOGOF or 3 for 2 (though I can sort of understand why someone might think it would). It's not in the spirit of it, and it's not even as if shops actually do that in order to generously give you free stuff, they price accordingly, you still pay for all of it...

ZombieMonkeyButler · 22/11/2013 20:13

Yes, clear theft. I was on the PTA for 8 years. There are no perks, certainly not financial ones!

meditrina · 22/11/2013 20:16

I hope she's joking.

Misappropriation of charitable funds (our PTA is a charity) is an offence. And seriously shabby towards every singl parent and child who has contributed to fund-raising.

Even if she was 'joking' it's such a bad attitude that I'd be making a fuss.

MrsPnut · 22/11/2013 20:16

Is the PTA a registered charity? If so then please report it to the charity commission. I am a PTA treasurer but I am also an accountant who has previously worked for several charities and I would be furious if one of my fellow volunteers thought this was OK. Taking the last third of a bottle of wine home after an event is the biggest perk I get.

PantonePolly · 22/11/2013 20:16

Yes, you could well be right. It could have indeed been BOGOF or some other special offer. But she didn't say that. I would like to give her the benefit of the doubt... Though I now don't think she can be trusted.

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magichamster · 22/11/2013 20:17

Surely she will have to produce receipts for the accounts (our PTA accounts are always independently audited and every penny has to be accounted for). BOGOF deals will still show on the receipt. It is fraud and you should tell the chair or head teacher about it.

ClutchingPearls · 22/11/2013 20:17

Our chair engineers it so her DCs always 'win' the best prizes. Which I thought was taking the piss, but at least its clear to everyone what's going on. Yours takes it to a whole new level.

I would inform the head and get the police involved at the school, so nothing can be explained away.

MistAllChuckingFrighty · 22/11/2013 20:17

Report her to the head. What are you waiting for ?

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