A number of our PTO Moms work during the day. We have accomodated them by having "weekend" activities such as PTO bowling parties or PTO skating parties. The daytime working Moms are in charge of these programs, that way they can be involved.
Concerning by-laws, our constitution states that in order to be a member of our PTO, you must be a parent, grandparent or community member in our school district. Membership is open to all our teachers.
There are a lot of things people can do in the evening. I am a working mother and PTO pres of our school. When I was not and just a member of the PTO I made calls, did Market Day, Did computer work for the fundraisers (newsletters, tickets, flyers) and lots more. If I had my choice I would be free to be at school during the day but I cant! There are sooo many people that want to help but are limited to the evenings. If you stop to think how much you do for the PTO at home in the evenings, you could choose to have the people that want to help take over some of those thing for you and with you!!
I have a question for you...How many people are complaining about not have more night time functions?? If it is only a hand few I would say that you cannot please everyone. I'm sure you have explained to them that assemblies and classroom parties are conducted during the school day and that cannot be changed to accomodate parents....imagine how many kids could actually come to these events at night...sure you might have more parents but isn't these functions for kids?? Maybe you could have them volunteer in other ways...writing newsletter, publicity chairperson, counting box tops and soup labels, these are just a few of the things they can do from home...or if they are the type of people who just want to complain by offering them specific jobs to do you'll be able to tell if they are really in this for the kids...if they are not forget about it and keep doing what you are doing:) As far as your second question in our by-laws a memeber is anyone who has paid their $5.00 fee and is related to a student or works in the building. Because of the complicated living arrangements now a days it is often too hard to determine a true definition of "parents". The way I look at it is if a person is interested in joining then by all means let them...I am assuming the sister is of adult age. You may want to check your own bylaws and if they are outdated concerning who can be members perhaps voting to change it would work for what your group wants. Each organization should have their own bylaws tailor made to suit them.
I am the President of our school P.T.S.C.(Parent Teacher Student Connection). I am at my wits end with some of the memmbers and their constant complaining that they are not being asked to help with projects or what ever that is being done. These people work during the day when the majority of things have to be done.They think that we can do things at night to accomadate them.How many schools have classroom parties at night or have schoolwide assemblies at night? We do have holiday and spring programs in the evenings for the childrens families.There are also other functions we hold at night also for the children and their families that the teachers work very hard on.I have looked at this from their point of view and if I was a parent that had to work daytime hours but wanted to be active and able to help I would be the one to sign up for all evening things and be thankful for the people who are making sure that day time things are taken care of.I need to know if I am wrong in thinking that way.I have spoke to the Principal about this,and we decided that the only solution is to make up sign up sheets for all of the things that we do. This way when they sign up for what ever and fail to do it I can say you have really showed how much you want to be active and involved. One other thing I need to ask is.Can a sister of a student be a member of a PTO or what ever you have choosen as your organization? If there is a by law or guide line written that shows that siblings are not allowed to be a member could someone please email it to me or guide my to a place I can get copies of basic by laws and guide lines. I am located in Colorado and have know idea where to get them.
I would love to get some feed back on this soon because I am so frustrated and need some advice.
