Oh we do send out via email. And post EVERYTHING on the website...even newsletters, but it is amazing in this day and age how many folks still want the paper and also how many don't regularly use these incredible tools. Some list their hubbies emails and never see it and then other just can't seem to make that "print it out leap". So the paper distro is just one other venue. Is STILL have folks say "how were we supposed to know about XXXXX". Amazing to me ... d

Hey dlf, sorry to the first poster as this gets off topic but relates to your reply,,,to solve your dilemma, why not use EMAIL as a way to informed the internet connected parents instead of asking teachers to stuff the cubbies on Fridays with flyers, and for those that dont have internet/email, you could consider blanket mailing home once per week. WIth computer sorting functions, that should be easy to print labels for the unconnected folks..(it is my understanding that if mail is sent home by the school, the postage is 'free' or refunded. Dont konw if PTO stuff would be considered school 'business')
Even IF PTO had to pay the postage, think of the COST of the TIME of teachers stuffing kids (x 1000) cubbies and taking away teaching time(ours do it whenever there is a flyer, we dont consolidate like you , which I think is a great idea) all year long, surely out weighs the cost of the postage, IF in fact, the PTO had to pay postage at all, if its not covered as a school expense. Just a tghoutht.
I have been told that some teachers balk at the cubby stuffing routine and the PTO stuff goes straight in the ciruclar file.........some do seem to mind.
OK heres another one: have a PTO volunteer go stuff cubbies, if email and or postage is not a solution. Let the teachers teach, I say, and not hand out flyers!

Why WE dont streamline at my school, or send via the school mail system, dont even ask me!!! I know not.

In my naive state of mind, it would make sense to me that if the schools want some continuity and quality in the special events, that the administrators would request that a staff member be at least lightly invovled with the planning of big annual events. As our PTO had a mass exodus of the 'best ever' parents (all moved to a new and 'better' school). There was really nothing to go on, and we've just had to guess at a lot. I think we've since surpassed the previous efforts, but it would have been very helpful if there was a 'voice of experience' there.

Also, I don't really trust the administrator at one of our schools to accurately represent the needs of the teachers. She stated in one of our board meetings that "she doesn't really want teachers to know about her funding".

So teachers on the board is strictly political? Good to know. Lord knows we don't need anymore beauracracy and politics in the mix

I guess we'll just ask for teacher reps this year and keep going straight to the teachers with surveys and such to get their feedback.

Anyone ever read "Henny Penny"?

I try to look at this a couple of ways. First, being at the school every day is the teachers job. I don't mean that in a callous way but truly, this is where they go to work every day. They also have children, families and perhaps interests that take them away from the school in the evenings or on the weekends and some would say even "refresh" them so that they can be up for teaching the next day. I'm not sure I'd be thrilled coming back to work with my family to be a part of programs that might take me away from my/our own interests. I know our PTO is so busy, we could easily pull teachers 1 night or morning a week if they attended everything we do. So I understand when they are not too thrilled about being in the Variety Shows, Carnivals, Pizza nights etcetera.
Having said that, I get frustrated when we don't get the routine support like the distribution of fliers or newsletters when they are received in the classroom. We only release items for distro one time a week (Fridays) so our teachers don't have to keep taking time from classroom stuff to distro reminders. I understand and support that and the principal has been terrific about giving us a break when I've asked her but I keep those requests to a bare minimum (like maybe 5 all year). With that timing though, if something doesn't get out, it can make the difference between being reminded there's an event on Monday and not reminding. So that is hard for me. I think if we start receiving too many requests from the teachers, I will propose to the board that we give the principal an agreed upon amount each "semester" so she can prioritize and fund requests from the teachers. Takes us out of the fight and possible compromise by "picking a teacher we like".
We did have great luck when we quietly let the teachers know that we would be having a drawing for a 25 dollars gift certificate for classroom supplies and that brought attendence up. I don't mind that, like I said, this is their job and maybe they don't want to hang out. Lord knows I can tell by the wonderful educators they are that they care a ton about our children.
I guess bottom line, if you're getting the support on the admin aspects of running your operations (fundraisers, distro) go easy on the teachers and count their presence as an added benefit.

Sorry this went on so long....d

Boy,oh boy! This is a "sticky" issue with me.I have been volunteering thru PTO for about three years.Some requests are minor and other requests just about empty our PTO pocket.What has bothered me is the low to zero participation and attendance from the teachers at the events that raise the money to pay for their requests. (i.e... the carnivals, talent nights, movie nights, etc.) PTO always puts notes in each teacher's mailbox to invite them and inform them.
Am I just "sensitive"?????

There is zero interest from our teachers to attend meetings or be on the board. None do. The reasons are political. But it doesnt stop them from getting their requests honored so everyone seems content with the status quo. THe PTO brings in enough money to cover the teachers wish list, so they have no incentive to participate in meetings etc.
I think it should be called a PO and not a PTO, and that in fact has happened at some schools. As long as it works, I guess its OK.