Question: PTO May Dissolve Due to Lack of Volunteers

Our PTO organization is in jeopardy of dissolving as 2 of our board members are retiring as well as 2 other key fundraising positions. We have done everything possible to reach out to possible new members with very little success. We would like to send a letter home to our parents to remind them what needs are met by the PTO board (ie, field trips) and what impact there would be not having a PTO. Does anyone have a sample letter they have used to reach out to parents? We want it to be informative and not threatening in nature.

Asked by Anonymous

Answers:

Community Advice

firefighter464 writes:
This is probably a question a 1000 others would also be asking about now, so let's take the opportunity to help everyone learn here. Sure, I have a letter, but it might not be too applicable in your situation, I don't think a sample letter is what you need. You need focus and effort. We need more information, please. What, precisely, have you already done to 'reach out to possible new members' I'm sensing that you honestly haven't done 'everything' and so your attitude needs a tiny tweak to see what maybe you've overlooked. Second, can you tell me more specifics as to what your PTO generally does at the school--specifically what 'needs needs are met by the PTO board' and what exactly PTO does regarding 'field trips,' what size budget you operate with or take in on fundraisers annually, and how many elected positions you have, job descriptions for each, and the time commitment you estimate each position would take per week or month? What is this impact you mention of not having a PTO? And then here's the thing a letter sent home to parents gets lost in backpacks among a dozen other things. Think: How would YOU be most likely to read something? Or Hear something? Get a front page story done in your local newspaper? Ask to get on a local radio talk show? Twitter about it? Can you afford a direct mailing and time to hand-address envelopes to parents? You're more likely to open a personal letter--so unusual to get nowadays!--than notice any lengthy letter sent with your kid. You know your community/audience best. Think about it.

Community Advice

firefighter464 writes:
here's another great answer (if you haven't already tried it): http://www.ptotoday.com/back2school

Community Advice

Mum2-5 writes:
Firefighter464 is out of their mind, and exactly the type of person that keeps good parents from joining PTOs. Unrealistic drill seargent types! "Front page story in local newspaper", HA! It's a parent, teacher organization, not a fight to end world hunger in one day!
I would send a letter stating exactly what you said. Basically tell them that after years of having an active PTO, lack of interest and volunteers is forcing the PTO to dissolve. Explain how important parent involvement is to the their child's success in school, mention some of the things PTO would no longer be able to pay for, let them know the cost of bus rental and field trips will be solely upon them to pay for, etc. My school is racially diverse so we print everything in English and Spanish so we can reach more parents. If that doesn't get involvement then accept the things you can not change. I'm in a very similar situation, totally understand.