Lack of enthusiasm seems to be a problem averywhere. I second Bertha--definitely hit up the kindergarten parents! We found two of our very best members this year at a Boohoo Breakfast. Our PTA has the rep for being very clique-y too, and so these people were so happy to be included into their children's school.
I wish I had a magic answer for you--I could use it too!
Bertha had the right idea. Get out there and talk to people-the board and pricnicpal can't stop you from doing that, and meeting people in person is probably THE BEST way of making them feel welcome and needed. It's also harder to say "No." when someone is asking you in person! [img]smile.gif[/img]
If you get more people like yourself involved in the group, it will be easier to implement your new ideas.
You may have to take it a little slower with your board until you can get more folks involved. Maybe present a list of all the new ideas(yours and anyone else's) and ask the group to pick 2 to 3 of them that will get implemented within this school year. You're giving them a choice without really giving them a choice. (They HAVE to pick SOMETHING) If the old guard was in place for a long time, it will take awhile to change things so don't try to rush it.
Who is shooting it down the ther Officers or the principal?
When I became President I approached the Kindergarten parents and asked for their help at different events. I went up to the parents while they stood in line with their children first thing in the morning, I spoke with each one of them. I never asked for permission from the other officers or principal, I just did it. I felt as president it was my responsibility to recruit new blood. Then towards the end of the year I roped them into signing up to chair different committees.This year we have a great mix of new & old.
Whatever you decide, don't give up! Just keep saying to yourself "it's all for the kids, it's all for the kids!" Keep on trying because in the long run it's worth it.
First, I would just like to say that I'm new to this website...and new PTO Pres...and I have gotten SO many ideas here I just don't know where to start! Now on to my problem.
I know I am new to this and I could just be imagining things but our group is super cliquey (sp?). I had to volunteer for the position I have cuz NO ONE wanted it! Needless to say our parent involvement is very low. We are a small school about 197 kids K-5. The people running this since my child was in kindergarten had issues giving up authority so when I tried to get involved then it was like I had no right to be there. Now most of them have moved on...except one and she is there simply because we had no one else to fill the position! She is currently our treasurer.
The problem I have is that no one (not even the ones who volunteered for this) wants to do much of anything. I suggested starting a website and maybe having more meetings between officers but that got shot down. I am currently looking at the three4me program to see if I can get more parent involvement that way and I can just imagine what kind of reaction that will get!
I know I am not the only one who feels like I don't belong...I had to talk our VP out of quitting because everything she said got shot down or attacked - and not just by these certain people but by our principal too! (That is a different post!! [img]smile.gif[/img] Oh well I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it until I figure something out. Sorry this was so long but I really needed to get that off my chest, Thank You!
