I re-read my earlier post and wanted to add this: Our teachers participate heavily, as does our administrative staff. I do believe that most teachers could do more for their schools by participating and supporting parent groups, but ours does all of this and more. I love our teachers and administrative staff. They really go the extra mile to be a part of our group.
We are experiencing teacher non-participation also. They have enterd their second year without a contract and their union has advised them to not do "anything extra" as a form of protest. But it's the kids that benefit and by them not helping our PTA, they are losing out.
Most teachers are very supportive, at least verbally. They thank us continually for everything that we do but...
I am trying to get the Three for Me program running. I gave every teacher a copy of the package, asking for their ideas, comments, etc. We serve two schools and because I'm not at one of the schools very regularly, I asked specific questions and highlighted them for those teachers.
Two weeks later, I have a response from exactly one teacher. Very frustrating because this is going to be a huge help for them.
Any one else face this kind of problem, with the union pulling one way and the job and responsibilities another?
Our teachers show support by participating in our fundraisers and by showing up to our events. Our principal is at every single event we hold, he's our caller for bingo and he participates in EVERY fundraiser we do.
When I first read daddio's post I too thought he was at Kma's school! I was about to tell him to come on over to the dark side(that's what the county PTA used to call us because we're the bad people who don't get along very well with others)because we love to have involved parents. And we love doing family events.
We're very lucky to have our principal! He may not like doing some of the things I've asked him to do, but he's never said no to me either.
Also, keep in mind that it is through them, during instruction time 'for the kids' that they send home requests for fundraising, meeting notices, etc.
I think they are just not showing you appreciation in the way you think they should. If you think you they need to show their support in a different way, you might discuss that at a meeting, but I'd still be careful about how you word it.
I do think that there is a compromise here. I have never asked the teachers to show up at every meeting. I find that by asking them to show up at the first meeting (to approve the budget) and the last meeting (where officers are voted in), and only to have a representative for each grade level at the other meetings that I get better response as well as better attitudes. This method has served me well each year that I have been president.
There are some members of our group that feel only teachers who attend meetings should reap the benefits (I do not agree with holding teachers hostage for reimbursement $$$. Either give it to them all or don't give it at all, but to purchase their attendance just rubs me the wrong way). Proposed at the end of last year was a $10 reimbursement for each meeting attended. Once elected to serve as pres, I lead a successful campaign to eliminate this idea. When voted on this year at our first meeting, it received 56 nay votes and 3 yea votes. The 3 votes for the proposal came from teachers...lol... 46 of the 56 votes against the proposal also came from teachers and/or staff members...lol... if you do the math, that means that only 10 parents were in attendance at the first meeting...
I'm sorry, but I have to defend the teachers on one remark. They work way more than 6 1/2 hours, they prepare stuff at home and on weekends, they spend their own money on classroom supplies, and some of our teachers are still at school at 6pm, well after school gets out. On the other hand, there are times when a little more teacher cooperation would be helpful.
