I hope you do have some PTO members at least, & they just don't come to the meetings. I agree with plw that you should get together with your exec. board & set up goals for the coming year. Maybe you could even send a survey home to the parents before the end of this school year to see what activities they'd like to see sponsored by the PTO. You could also ask for ideas to improve meeting attendance (vary meeting nights, etc...).
Start with the goals of your PTO for the school year. Plan how you will achieve those goals financially and volunteer needs. Make this information clear in the first mailing/newlsetter that goes out. Very boldly explain that these are plans but without parents stepping up to support these plans they will be cancelled. Every year our PTA holds the first meeting for 8th grade parents who hold a year end dance for their students. We never get any response until we let them know the dance has been cancelled do to lack of interest. The phone calls flood in. Best wishes!
I see you care a lot about the school. What I have found is that those that are at the meetings have run every one else off. Our PTO was a thriving supportive org. then a few were jealous that PTO was so successful so they disolved and now no one goes to their meetings except them.(Our bylaws allowed any one to vote if they paid their membership. So they walked in and paid and disolved.) I am sure they will be asking for your help also on how to get parent involvement. PTO had always a medium turn out because people know it was running smoothly and why upset the apple cart.I am always surprised on how parents try time and again to help and usually end up with a bad taste in their mouth after the fact.Step back and look at who is running things and see if in fact you can get a handle on it thru your bylaws or just step down and let the school try it's hand. Good luck!!!!!
I need to clear up a few things. We have 6 teachers and the principal who attend every meeting, but I and one other are the only parents who attend our PTO meetings. I was nminated president by default. Not that I mind, but therein lies the problem.
PTerry- I have several questions. Are you saying you're the only one at meetings (other than the officers)? Or are you the only one involved in activities? These two are addressed in different ways. Also, make sure the Executive Board is aware that you would like to be active in your PTO.
We've been having more people come to meetings lately, but I'm not sure why.
We've tried the following things, but it's hard to say if one thing or the combination is what's made the difference:
1. We have a timed agenda for each meeting. Each topic has an alloted amount of time & we are usually successful at sticking to it. Our meetings usually last 1 1/2 hrs.
2. We send out meeting reminder notices the week before each mtg. We've been trying to make them more eye catching. We also have a certain color of paper that denotes PTO correspondence.
3. We've been offering refreshments at each meeting. (We have found that parents often stay longer after mtgs chatting-which I consider a good thing.)
4. The PTO provides childcare.
5. Our principal comes to each meeting & gives a report. He's also quite relaxed & friendly which I'm sure helps.
6. With our principal's help, we have at least 1 teacher who attends each mtg & talks briefly about something pertaining to their class.
I have recently joined the PTO at my son's school. Needless to say, I am the only parent there. Does anyone have any ideas for enticing more parents to get involved? Thanks
