ShawneeDispatch.com

armyguy (Anonymous) says…

2. As to the true purpose of the auction: At all times, the PTA should exist under the umbrella of Prairie Ridge Elementary and its values and morals. If the PTA is considering doing something that is inconsistent with the values of the school itself, the organization should abandon the idea. As a member of the PTA, you are a representation of everything the school stands for. When you act in ways that conflict with the schools mission, then you adversely the impact the school's ability to carry out that mission (through negative press, etc.). That is to say, the PTA's purpose is primarily to favorably promote and support Prairie Ridge. By conducting events that mirror Prairie Ridge's espoused values, the PTA is able to reinforce and compliment the messages being taught to the students at the school. Serving alcohol at a PTA sponsored event in no way mimics the values of Prairie Ridge. As such, the event does much to detract from the values the school is trying to teach. To the extent socially drinking alcohol is okay, it should nonetheless be abandoned at PTA sponsored events because of the appearance of impropriety that it creates. I readily admit that responsible adults can responsibly drink alcohol. However, because Prairie Ridge and the PTA must be mentioned in the same breath, they must be consistent in their application of values. Both must stand firm in their stance against alcohol and leave alcohol to less formal, non-school sponsored events.

armyguy (Anonymous) says…

I'd like to a make a few comments:

1. On the distinction between a night at the Pizza Shoppe or Moe's and the PTA Auction. Pizza Shoppe and Moe's are both corporate establishments with businesses that involve the purchase and sale of food and beverages (including beer) on a daily basis. That is, both of these establishments make their name and reputation on the sale of these goods. We cannot expect Pizza Shoppe or Moe's to shed the corporate veil in order to take on the school's appearance. We can, however, thank them for their support and willingness to donate proceeds to the school. On the other hand, the PTA is not a corporate body and does not make it's name or reputation from the sale of alcohol (or pizza, for that matter). Rather, it's a locally organized body that exists because Prairie Ridge exists. As an arm of the school, the PTA should espouse the values and morals that it's parent organization holds firm. At mention of the PTA, one naturally thinks of the school that it's associated with. Alternatively, I, for one, do not think about Prairie Ridge at the mention of Pizza Shoppe or Moe's. Therefore, when Pizza Shoppe and Moe's sell alcohol there's no direct tie back to the school that would blemish it's image. On the other hand, when the PTA sells alcohol, the tie back to the school is natural and readily evident. Accordingly, allowing alcohol to be served at a PTA sponsored event is akin to Prairied Ridge actively endorsing alcohol, which most certainly tarnishes the school's reputation and image.