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AIBU?

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Original poster

Generosity of the PTA.....

85 replies

whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 11:21

My son came home with a letter from school stating the whole school can go to the pantomime in December, it goes on to say that through the generosity of the PTA all children can go for just £1.50 each....wibu adding a star next to that and writing at the side *and the collective generosity of parents that support PTA fundraising events....? I just read it this morning and thought I've spent far more than that saving at all the bake sales, Christmas fayres, summer fayres etc etc and donated things for all these events so actually i have paid for the whole ticket in a round about way....

OP posts:
PicaK · 27/11/2013 17:40

I'm with all the people pointing out that you are in the PTA and it's your generosity being talked about.

So yabu.

DziezkoDisco · 27/11/2013 17:47

'PTA martys' ah fuck it, you are being a pedantic and a bit of nob.

Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 18:21

But I wasn't actually saying I don't think the PTA shouldn't be thanked just think it should have been worded that it isn't just the people that join the PTA to arrange such events but all parents that attend these events that are helping subsidise these trips. I also didn't say that money was only raised for such jollies but a part of that money is, obviously or they wouldn't be using these funds. I also don't think I'm being a nob, I already said a little pedantic yes, but a nob? No! I was stating the wording....even if the head writes it and has lots of other things to do, I can still point out an opinion of mine that the wording could have been better. If I'm a nob for that then others could be called a nob for having a different opinion - but I won't start name - calling....

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SoupDragon · 27/11/2013 18:28

It is due to the generosity of the PTA that the money is being donated towards the pantomime tickets.

They could have put it towards classroom equipment and you would have had to pay full price for the ticket and not actually seen a benefit (obviously the children would through using the equipment).

AmberLeaf · 27/11/2013 18:31

I also didn't say that money was only raised for such jollies but a part of that money is, obviously or they wouldn't be using these funds

Well actually no it isn't. The money is raised for whatever is important/needed. The PTA can decide to allocate some of the money for jollies, but it isn't really the point of the fundraising.

Maybe that is where the 'generous' comes into it.

Sparklymommy · 27/11/2013 18:37

I think your extremely lucky the PTA want to help subsidise a trip to the pantomime. I have children IN our local pantomime and the school are far from supportive! They didn't even want to authorise the required time off for my dd for rehearsals and performances. Let alone taking the children to watch her in it!

kerala · 27/11/2013 18:53

You sound dreadful. As is anyone that whines or complains about how things are done, by others, who are busy, which benefits your DC

The people I am in awe of are brownie and guide leaders my god they need medals.

NynaevesSister · 27/11/2013 18:58

But YOU are in the PTA. All parents are. I really can't see why you are so annoyed with this one item.

Retroformica · 27/11/2013 18:59

Im with you op. Our core PTA are a thankless lot. They pump us for cash but never really thank us for the efforts (endless cake making, setting up venues/fairs/barn dances etc).

Snowbility · 27/11/2013 19:01

Agree, I'm in awe of the people in the scouting movement! And very grateful. I'm grateful to our PTA, to the parents who go on trips and who volunteer to help out at school listening to kids read....anyone who gives their time for little recognition!

Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 19:04

Oh for gods sake if you read my original post that started this thread I was talking about the wording of the letter which is not actually written by the PTA. I did not mention the work the PTA do and whether or not they should be thanked. In fortunately though, it appears that my post has been altered to mean something entirely different - mainly from people who are committed to their PTA. And actually it is being a martyr to do something voluntarily and then complain about 'having' to do it! You're not forced to do it, it's voluntary. I think it's great that parents that have time do it. But I'm not going to take on the view of people that are presuming my opinion on something and running away with it so to speak. I asked could it have been worded better, some people think it could, some people don't care and others think I'm directly talking about the PTA and how much they do....the latter are reading far more into what I wrote and then deciding I must be dreadful.

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capsium · 27/11/2013 19:06

Ah, just give the PTA the unwanted presents received over Christmas and Birthdays past. They are then doing you a favour.

And buy cheapo cakes for the cake sales. Dust a bit of icing sugar on them, they look home made. Or not care and give them in the box. Job done.

You've got to be pragmatic to survive. Ooh I'm such a rebel!Grin

kerala · 27/11/2013 19:12

"Not forced to do it" but if you took that line no one would do it. We are not martyrs, its not fun. Our school has 500 kids in it about 8 of us organise stuff. Before I went along to a meeting I thought there were lots of "everyones" doing the work but there really wasn't. If we didnt bother it wouldnt happen and that would be a real shame - no events, no £30k pa raised which pays for play equipment, forest school subsiding trips for harder up kids etc etc. And you gripe about shit like this. Yes, you do sound dreadful.

Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 19:13

I do however take on board that I am effectively on the PTA just by being a parent of children of the school so will accept the thank you and take a bow (obviously I am joking here). So in respect of not realising I'm on the PTA and complaining iabu. It is right though, the comment about the PTA being a thankless lot, they do very regularly ask for money, donations etc, which I do happily as its for the benefit of all the children at the school but then they do like to take a stand that it is ALL thanks to them. And to be honest they're a clicky bunch and if offered by outsiders to help you would be brushed off as they are 'fully staffed' so to speak.

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Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 19:16

Now you're welcome to comment on my opinion of the PTA, remember though I am giving my opinion of the PTA at the school my children attend so am not personally insulting any other PTA members.....although some will

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Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 19:17

Think I am personally being rude about them

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kerala · 27/11/2013 19:18

God at our school you would be leapt on if you offered any sort of help cant imagine being "fully staffed" ...

Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 19:19

Kerela, do you think the letter could have been worded better? That is what I was originally asking...what you do on the PTA really has nothing to do with it...

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HappyMummyOfOne · 27/11/2013 19:20

The wordings fine, it is the pta who have raised the money be it from parents, community etc.

Whilst all parents are part of the pta, its usually a handful that actually do anything and lots opt out of visiting the fair, donating items etc yet want the nice things for their children.

ShoeWhore · 27/11/2013 19:27

A different way of looking at it OP: what do you want your child's headteacher to be focussed on? Every possible nuance of the wording of a letter home or you know, actually running the school?

AmberLeaf · 27/11/2013 19:27

And actually it is being a martyr to do something voluntarily and then complain about 'having' to do it! You're not forced to do it, it's voluntary

No one is complaining about having to do it.

I think that people just get pissed off at people who gripe about PTA stuff.

We grab any offers of help with both hands, as it is all done by a very small number of people, the more people doing something means less work for everyone.

So if the parents on your PTA didn't ask, would you offer voluntarily? would you take the initiative? IME if you don't ask, people don't offer.

SoupDragon · 27/11/2013 19:28

I asked could it have been worded better, some people think it could, some people don't care and others think I'm directly talking about the PTA and how much they do

And some people think it is worded just fine.

Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 19:29

So happymummyofone, it would be nice to acknowledge the parents that do support PTA arranged fundraisers then? Or else, we are just left to think it is all down to the handful of people who arrange the events and not partly down to the parents who spend their money at these events....

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Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 19:32

Yes soup, I did mean to add that, thought I had..

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Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 19:33

Yes amber, some people are complaining about it actually, which led me to write that particular post

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