I wasn't sure if you meant "agenda" as the template for the meeting or as underlying direction of the group, so I tried to hit both.
Our group is a bit different as we gave up on general meetings long before I became active. Instead, we have a large Board (25-35) people who meet monthly for a business meeting. That meeting is open to anyone and well publicized. We only have general meetings twice a year, in August to approve the budget and in May to elect officers.
So while monthly attendance isn't an problem(thank heavens!), the same core issues remain. How do you get your message across to the parents, build credibility, and instill a sense of cooperation and ownership?
I'm no longer President, but when I was, I found we had to be very savvy about how we presented ourselves. Here are some things to consider:
1) Communication is key. We started a monthly newsletter that really made a difference.
2) Be smart about your message. It's so easy to get trapped into focusing on what you NEED. If you aren't careful, every note that goes home, every notice in the newsletter is asking for something. Take equal time to shout your accomplishments and milestones. It's not bragging, it's congratualting the parents on THEIR success and showing them how critical their help is and that it pays off.
3) Do NOT let your organization be seen as a fundraising machine. Both blatently and subtly I constantly sent the message: "Our number one purpose is volunteerism. Here are our priorities (list). As you can see fundraising is about #4. It is not the reason we exist, just one tool we use to meet out goals."
We didn't want a distinction in PTO and non-PTO events. If something was happening in the school that required volunteers, we played a role.
4)Make sure people understand there is room for everyone to help. List tasks big and small. Someone can't come up to school, maybe they could make a few calls or write thank you notes.
5) Have no qualms about applying a little pressure via the kids (in a positive way). Single out children of volunteers and be very verbal about congratulating them on their mom/dad's help. (Obviously, you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.) But make it "cool" for the kids that their parents are in PTO. Add some perks. We have times where classes win a snowcone party, so 2 or 3 of our 30 classes are rewarded. But, if your mom is dishing out snowcones as a PTO volunteer, you get one, even if you aren't in the winning class. On a hot Texas day, being the only kid in your class with snowcone has impact.
6)Make sure you have a well-promoted list of accomplishments to use at the end of one year and beginning of the next. Even when your officers are just talking, teach them to be careful how they state things. Do not let people say that "we raised $10,000 (or whatever) this year". That makes the money the goal and affects your image. Focus on what you donated, how many field trips you funded, equipment you bought, volunteer hours provided, safety issues you affected.
It's really about marketing. Build an image of an organization your parents are proud to join.
This addresses the larger issue of membership and participation, not necessarily how many attend the meetings. Some of others have some great ideas for that part with programs, speakers, door prizes, etc.
Good luck!
[ 12-18-2002: Message edited by: JHB ]</p>