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As a helper, you are bound by the school rules. In most cases, those who 'help' are generally already members of the PTA and bound by those guidelines. And those guidelines are directly related to the school who charters the local unit. If you are there in a helping capacity, leave it in the car. If you are there just as a patron, I would follow the laws that you follow every day. If you are in a place where there is no expectation that only school attendees would be allowed, then I say carry. However, look at this scenario:

Your PTA rents out the local skating rink or movie theater. Only students of their school and family members are allowed to come in. You are not a helper, but a parent who is attending with your child. You have to consider that the skating rink/theater is only an option for school attendees/families during the time it is rented out. Normally, you would be allowed to carry in this location when open to the public. But now that it is only available to members of the school for the fundraiser, you would be under the same rules as a school event. Leave it in the car.

I have served on many PTA executive boards at the local school level and the district level for many years. Currently in our district, you have to go through a background check to be a volunteer, and that background check is done through the school district. So all volunteers, whether on campus or off, have to be background checked. I only say this because this is the requirement by the school of the PTA, so again, there is a direct correlation of how the PTA is chartered under the direction of the school. The PTA does stand on it's own as a national organization, and has it's own 'PTA laws'. If you are a member of the PTA (remember that $6 or $7 you paid for at the beginning of the school year so that your child's class can have a pizza party for 100% participation?), then you are bound by the 'PTA laws' when you attend a PTA event, whether patron or volunteer. I would also agree that there might mot be any case law, but I don't have the $$$ to be the guinnea pig!

Jennifer

The PTA is chartered under the school district's direction so as to attain the 501(c)3 status as a charitable organization. PTAs must have permission from the administrator of their school in order to hold activities/events/exist. School administrators can shut down a local PTA if the administrator so chooses. I do not have any experience with PTO, but I know that the PTA has different 'guidelines' than PTOs. I do, however, have TREMENDOUS experience with PTA. PTA sponsored events are still APPROVED by the school, therefore, I would considered the event a direct correlation to the school.

JP171 wrote:no it is not the PTA/PTO is supported by the school

While support is a two-way street, the PTA supports the school, not the other way around. The general rule of thumb is if the district can't do it, neither can the PTA.


With all that said, the event will be the main factor as to whether or not carry would be allowed. PTAs are notorious for having fundraising events at local restaurants where there is not an expectation of only school attendees. For instance, our PTA has McDonald's night. There is no expectation that ONLY school people would show up, and McDonald's being a private business, I would carry (as long as no 30.06, etc.). What is the event that you are questioning?

As always, IANAL, and this is just my .02. Take it for what it's worth.

Jennifer