I've been talking at the staff meetings and addressing the teachers monthly. I keep them posted on what the PTO is doing and have asked them if they needed help. I made up a wishlist/volunteer list for the teachers and they all filled them out. I posted the lists on the website and have parents send items from the wish list with their child. The teachers tell me it's like Christmas and they really appreciate the unexpected "gifts" they receive. Morale is getting better and although the teachers may not all be present at the PTO meetings, they are coming to me offering to help at our next fundraiser and baking cookies for our bake sale. It's a slow process, but it's working so far. It's really exciting to see the change in our school.

Our PTO alternates meeting times each month from 1:30pm to 6:30pm. One person suggested next year that we add a third time slot, 3:30pm, in the hopes that more teachers would be able to come to the meetings. Our principal has been at all but one meeting this year.

While some complain about lack of T participation in meetings, I think about what Jean Joachim says in her "Beyond the Bake Sale" book. Teachers hand out and collect the fundraising forms, or invitations/RSVPs to our events, they bring the classes down to book fairs and bake sales. Among those and other things, they teach our children.

But I do love the "School Support Organization" name! It seems to fit better.

[ 02-23-2005, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: IowaTracy ]

After reading the different posts, I'll say again how lucky we are! Or teachers and principal support us in everything we do. They come to all meetings and some are committee chairs.

At all of our family events, not only is the principal there, but we have teachers and their families there as well. The support us by participating in all of our fundraisers. Next weekend we will be having our Tricky Tray and so far we have sold tickets to the principal and fourteen teachers! Not only did the buy tickets but they also donated baskets.

I really am grateful for all of their support!

I agree with Serendipity about it all starting with the attitude of the principal. Our principal would not tolerate teachers not attending and being involved in meetings, either. Almost all of our teachers participate in our Spring Fling.

We have two teachers (voted on by the teachers) who attend our PTO meetings, and they rarely miss any meetings.

I think holding the majority of meetings in the daytime would be a recipe for disaster for us. It's quite presumptuous to assume that teachers and working parents (both married and single), would not want to be involved in the PTO/PTA meetings. Besides, the principal is usually more available on a set given night once a month.

Sounds like maybe there are some control issues at work for certain officers of PTO/PTAs who refuse to consider different time options for meetings.

It has to start with attitude. Many forget PTA/PTO or whatever your called is usually Parents, Teachers and Administration. Sometimes a little thank you, hi, what can we do for you goes a long way in repairing/ instilling parents and teachers supporting the organization.

set a small measurable goal, then address the administration, teachers of your wishes for participation.

I do however agree bribes and monetary awards are kinda innapropriate unless it happens for a majority of your events (ie. top seller, recruiter, someone whom went above and beyond)throughout the year.

Our teachers have one rep that attends mtg's but they do attend and help at all events for at least an hour or so when we need 'em

Good luck hope it helps and gets more support

We could all complain about the lack of parent/teacher support for our organizations BUT..I'm a glass 1/2 full person. Our school is very small (130 pre-K through 6th) and our teacher support has been less than enthusiastic. But this year I've been much more encouraged with having 4 of our 8 full time teachers actively involved with our PTF. That percentage is MUCH higher than some of our 3000+ area public schools. Ask some parents and teachers to help spend money that doesnt belong to them...lots of support there!!!