JHB: Do you have a problem with complaints about combining the General Meeting with the program?
We have in the past. At our Christmas musical (4th-6th grades) we have the Minutes and a treasurer's report from the last general meeting. Usually takes about 5 minutes at the most.
At the Spring Musical, we have the Minutes and Treasurer's reports, Election of new officers and a Citizen of the Year presentation. Usually takes 20 minutes. Not exactly a lot of time considering the entire program lasts about 45 minutes and yet we still hear complaints.
We usually combine them with a grade-level music program where the kids perform. The May meeting is sometimes held the night of our Spring Fling.
Sometimes (especially if we are holindg an extra one beyond our mandatory two) we just hold it the same night as the Exec meeting but a little later. Then if no one really shows up, the Board hasn't gone to a lot of trouble and devoted a second evening that month.
Last year, the president tried one or two with invited speakers. As per our previous experience, doing a stand-alone meeting was not terribly successful. Low attendance.
SHC, I asked the teachers that wanted to do a play or skits on PTO meeting nights to sign up for a month. 1 teacher did it, I was a little late in asking. She did Thanksgiving skits that the class (3rd grade) had made. It was cute. She won the banner and supply basket (attendance prizes) that night. LOL!
JHB--what kind of school program do you have with your general meetings? Just curious, as it's different from the way we do it (monthly general meetings).
Thanks
Shelly
I think it would be a very bad idea to abandon your General Meetings. Even if people are apathetic, it the point is to offer the entire membership the chance to approve PTO activities - and in this case, approve the Board's running of the day-to-day operations.
You have to safeguard the future. Wonderful if you have a stable, responsible board NOW. But we are all familiar with stories of embezzlement, unstable officers, power-obssessed presidents. Will 2 general meetings a year prevent that? To be honest, no. But at least they give the opportunity for the group to have some oversight.
We run the same system as you. A few details on our end. First general meeeting is at the beginning of school to approve the budget. Second one is in May to elect officers. All Exec meetings are open if someone wants to come.
Our general meetings are pretty much a few announcements and some quick votes. So it might be 6:30 PTO meeting 6:45 Principal Announcements 7:00 School Program.
I'd suggest either keeping them and just making it very quick OR shifting one or both to just a stand-alone meeting, not coupled with a program. Not many people will attend (most likely), but at least you gave them the chance.
