very nice letter, and what a lot of fantastic accomplishments! We sent a similar letter home at the beginning of the year, with our "room parent" recruitment (another failed effort, as our volunteer coordinator didn't want to coordinate this year!)

I did have some "fall-out" from this election, from one of the worker bee parents (who consistently refuses to even chair a committee). Her comment was "How could we elect them - how do we know what these folks are like, and what their agenda is?" I reminded her that we don't screen for agendas and take 'anyone who is willing to be an officer and has a pulse.'

As president of our PTO, I have encountered an overall opinion from those uninvolved parents that "someone else will do it. . . they don't need me." I think there has also been a lack of communication, about both the challenges we're facing and our many accomplishments. In other words . . . time for a reality check, folks.

Below is the text of a letter I sent out recently. I wouldn't call it "harsh", but I thought it was high time that parents realized how much the PTO does, and what it takes to make it all happen. I hope this helps some of you out. We've had a pretty positive response so far!

Good luck and have a great summer!


Here's the letter:

A letter from your PTO President . . .

It’s hard to believe that another school year is coming to a close. I hope you and your family have had an enjoyable and productive year at Chapelfield. I would like to thank everyone who helped make this a great year by volunteering your time and/or donating financially. This assistance from dedicated individuals like you provides for numerous activities and services that are beneficial to both the students and the school.

I’d like to share with you just a few of this year’s accomplishments at Chapelfield . . .
· Over $6,000 worth of updated playground equipment (to be installed this summer!)
· numerous family activities (pancake dinner, ice cream social, etc.)
· author’s visit
· color printer
· fall and spring classroom parties
· shirts for the choir & musical recorders
· school-wide student directory
· two-way radios (for playground safety, etc.)
· vision screening
· proficiency-preparedness books
· funds for classroom set-up
· assignment books & “take-home” folders

What a great year! And we expect next year to be even better. Many of you accepted our invitation to assist in determining next year’s special events and fundraisers. Yes, we need those fundraisers! Here’s why -- the PTO’s goals for next year include the continuation of many of the items in the list above. Our primary financial goals are to update classroom technology and replace even more of the playground equipment. We are required by the health department to meet current safety codes and standards for all playground equipment. This is a safety issue for our children, but not one that is addressed by the school district. It’s up to us as parents, guardians and grandparents.

To reach these goals, and in addition to the regularly scheduled events throughout the year, here are a few of the new and exciting things to come: a walk-a-thon, school spirit items, family nights (movies, games, reading, etc.), discount cards for many restaurants and retailers throughout the greater Columbus areas), Dads ‘N Doughnuts, printer cartridge recycling, and more. While it’s obviously not required, we hope you and your family will decide to participate in one or more of these activities to help make life at Chapelfield the best it can be for your children!

While these events sound like fun, we can’t do it without your support. Please consider helping in whatever way you can. No contribution of time or money is too small. I’ve attached a list of the activities for you to review. The level of participation and number of volunteers varies with each activity. If you find yourself wondering what some of these items are, or being interested in one or more of these items, please call me, and I’ll be happy to discuss them with you to see how and where you might be able to help out. My telephone number is below. Thank you.

If we all think that someone else will do it, no one will!

(name & telephone # deleted)

If that letter was "harsh" you can get "harsh" with me any day! :eek: The letter was great and obviously did the trick. People need to know exactly what they are getting into AND need to know that the load is lighter when there are more people involved. Great job! :cool:

Well Done DolphinBooster! And, I might add, I didn't find your letter harsh at all. It was concise, well written and to the point. It is a real shame when we have to send letters home stating what WON'T happen if people don't get into gear. However, it seems to be the trend right now. Your letter is one that every PTO should have on file because, as IMovePeople said, <blockquote>quote:</font><hr> I'd rather not need it and have it than need it and not be able to find it.
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Thank you for sharing your letter.

We did the same at our school. We had great parents doing the same old same old. And we were all getting burnt out we sent out a letter as well and it did wonders. We ever I would hear parents say that why doesn't PTO do this and do that I quickly say "How would you like to be the chair person" their response is "Oh I just don't have the time" then I say "How about if I help you step by step. And to their amazement they have done the whole thing. And can't believe it. It takes alot for a person to step when they start thing of big projects but if they are mentored along the way they for themselves can see the hard work pays off. When the children are excited and the staff as well.

This is really strong - sorry about the tone, but it did work! Good luck, Liz

PS - We did copy this on half-sheets, so were able to use more expensive, bright red paper to call attention to the note. White is so woosy!

Some of you may have already heard the news - there may be no Yaquina View Booster organization next year. This is due to several board members resigning - most of us have served 2 or more years and feel its time for a change.

What do Boosters do? Some parents believe that we are strictly a fund-raising organization…but that is hardly the case. Without Boosters, there would be no Science Fair, no ice cream social, no Bazaar, no Run for the Arts, no Book Swap, no staff appreciation, fewer assemblies, fewer field trips, less money available for classroom materials and books, etc. Boosters have provided so much for our school - playground equipment, books for special needs students, - even the sign outside the school was provided by Boosters. Yes, we have lots of parents who will help with all of these special projects, but without a Booster Board coordinating it all, those projects don't happen.

What can you do to help? We need officers for next year - we need to have parents and others interested in helping our school come to our meeting next Thursday. We plan on passing next year's budget and electing officers, but if no one shows, we will work on dismantling the group.