1. Lessons Learned: PTOs/Booster Clubs
Fall 2016 SCASBO
Larry Finney, GFH and Len Richardson, LR5

2. Why Are We Talking About This?
Support organizations are closely tied to the school district and a specific school
But they are separate legal entities
So the challenge is finding the right balance between the organizations operating on their own and the District ensuring the organizations are complying with District policies and procedures and operating with good/best practices

3. Lesson #1-Evaluate Current Status
Do you know all of the current support organizations in the District?
What kind of relationship does the District or the school have with them?
Do you know their current financial condition?
Are they are in good standing with the IRS and SCSOS?

4. Lesson #2-Since they operating in the District, do they have the basic nonprofit compliance covered?
Separate EIN
Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
Current with SCSOS
Tax-exempt status
990 tax returns

5. Lesson #3-Do they have a good team?
Encourage each organization to have a Treasurer that is detail oriented and has a some kind of bookkeeping or financial background
Encourage a volunteer finance/audit committee
Review monthly financial reports and 990 tax return
“audit” year end financial information
District employee involvement as officer?

6. Lesson #4-Financial Policies and Procedures
Encourage best practices
Two people involved in cash receipts and cash disbursements
Bank recs reviewed, signed and dated by knowledgeable person/committee
Approved budget
Inventory controls
Financial software (not manual or excel)
Electronic docs and regular back up
Risk management

7. Lesson #5-Frequently changing officers means:
Consider annual training
Give them information to take to other officers and to pass along to next team
Encourage good information exchange in transition

8. Lesson #6-Strong relationship, communication and training
Consider Board Policy
Does school administration know their role with these organizations and are they evaluated on it?
Training
School administration
Organization officers
Consider at least annual reporting to District finance
Consider annual training