Our PTA has 100% staff membership this year. We started the year off with a welcome back luncheon for teachers. We, the volunteers, each brought a salad or desert and we had fried chicken donated by one of the grocery stores.
We talked to them about what we had planned for the year, while they were eating, a speaker came in (also donated her time) and we had several prizes donated for raffle. To be in the raffle, they had to have their membership bought previously or up to the luncheon. The lunch was ended with the raffle and everyone was laughing and having a great time. At the end of it, we had 98% membership. The last few signed up because the other teachers gave them a hard time.
now, the PTA has given each teacher every year, $10 per child to cover start up costs in the classroom,(whether they are members or not) since the school opened. Last year, we had a handful of teachers as members. We have also hosted Teacher Appreciation week but that happens at the end of each year.
The luncheon made the difference, not the money,(closing it out with free stuff helped because they had a good feeling when they left) and I am still stopped in the halls to be told how great the PTA is this year. (It was the recognition that did the trick and it got them fired up fast about PTA) They also got a chance to really know us and feel the excitement we had for the new year.
Does your PTO give the teachers money? I don't remember if our teachers have to pay to join but in order for them to get their PTO money they have to do one PTO activity per semester.
I think our teachers our great PTO supporters, I feel very lucky, hopefully your staff will open their eyes someday.
Hi PTO slave....I cna relate to you soooooo much. In our second year(last year) we busted our butt to get that teacher support everything from field trip funds, goodies in mailboxes, school supplies , assemblies that they requested. By the end of the year I can say maybe half of them truly support us , a quarter will work events .My principal and i got in a HUGE fight about it and you know what? I decided that if they are being told to be a part of us or that they have to come to meetings It really isn't worth it. I know PTO's are suppose to have that TEacher in there but face it does it make you feel good to know they are beimg forced to take part?Our old PTA had ruined that relationship and I know in my heart that it is alot better than three years ago and that maybe within time it will be better. As Far as complaints about money I just say well our funds are low so we had to cut that....they cant say anything to that because maybe 5 of them actually buy anything from us all year!! WE had to cut fieldtrip funding this year and it's amazing how all of a sudden they are looking at us and wondering hwo they can help. I believe that teachers are truly tired at days end but dont say you wnat family involvement and then run away when we want to work with you!!! Just ahng in there and keep your head up high....its all about the children and thats what counts!!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
We have just finished up our Membership drive and found many of our teacher's never joined. (They received the membership applications and the Principal spoke to them about it at a Faculty meeting." In addition we have overheard several teacher's complaining about how they have to do PTO stuff. - Their duties are limited to putting money into an envelope and returning it to us. That's it. They have also made comments about how we don't thank them enough, like with little treats etc. Last year we didn't do this because the funds were tight and we opted to renovate part fo the playground which is still in need and buy new computers as well as books etc. What we felt were "necessities". The returning officers that did so much last year (I'm one) have about had it. Other than two teachers, we never so much as got a Thank you from the faculty. The parent center hosted a Volunteer breakfast but it was mainly their program for their volunteers. Am I wrong to be upset? And has anyone else gone through this and if so what did you do? Monday we will be putting brownies into every teacher's box that joined the PTO with a "Thank you for Supporting the PTO" sticker on it. I'm sure we will hear about the other's not getting any. Also for Parent Teacher's conferences we are treating them to 3 slices of pizza and a drink of their choice which we will deliver to their rooms. How much are we supposed to spend making them feel appreciated instead of on items the school needs? And why should we do this when they only complain to us about us?! Thank you for your input. :confused:
