Question: parent & teacher involment

dose any one have suggestions on how we can get our staff and parents to come to our meetings and to be a part of our group? we only have two parents besides our board and our principle at all our meetings.

Asked by svc28

Answers:

Advice from PTO Today

Rose H writes:
So many of us get concerned when our meeting attendance is low. We don't suggest you ignore attendance, but just don't pay too much attention to it. There are lots of other ways to measure the success of a group, including the attendance of families at your community events. And these things say much more about your group and your community that the number of folks at the monthly meetings. This article gives great perspective on meetings. Now, having said all that, it is still a good idea to do some things to make meetings more attractive,such as keeping them short, encouraging parents to bring children so they don't have to worry about babysitters and providing snacks. This submission to our IDEA BAG section has some creative ideas for making meetings more appealing. Good luck!

Community Advice

svc28 writes:
Thanks we do have short meetings and allow parents to bring their children. We do have some ok turn outs at different events just wish it was not the same three parents doing all the hard work. We would like our teachers input as well

Community Advice

firefighter464 writes:
Communication and analysis of your target market. In this case, busy parents. Do those who don't come to meetings have ANY idea what needs to be done (by those 3 busy people?) Try sending out very specific needs requests. And make the needs in bite-size chunks. Someone may not know how you organize a fundraiser (or even that you HAVE a fundraiser needing organized) but they may know how to type, have local business connections--or even BE a small business--have a copier, be anxious happy workabee for a carnival, be creative at making crafts for sale or directing kids efforts or baking or you name it....Communicate it. Social media or weekly or daily flyers or sign on the school or email blasts if you have that. Some fun regular way that all parents identify with to get your info. Then, REACH your target market. Distribute your list of needs-chunks at every event parents attend: ball games, conferences, concerts, book sales, 4th of July fireworks, etc. Get some happy go lucky extrovert to carry your message--maybe wearing a PTO mascot costume. Creativity and regular expectations works--just like in parenting! :)

Advice from PTO Today

Rose H writes:
Some great ideas, firefighter464. It's a really good point about the target market. Often, parents are just too busy to come to meetings and if you can find a way to get specific info. to them, chances are they will respond.

Community Advice

AMRing writes:
Great ideas. I'm considering alternating our monthly meetings next year between morning meetings after carpool and evening meetings. Has anyone tried this - has it brought in any higher numbers? Our meetings by the end of the year are basically executive board meetings with one or two room Moms. :)

Community Advice

tiphanny writes:
Our principal always has refreshments....pizza, cookies, sandwiches.. she also get a teacher to watch the kids who come so that the parents can get into the meetings.... the times are always 630-7is or 730...to the point....once a month...when the weather was bad we used free confrence call and emailed everyone the number to get on the call... that only lasted 20 mins!