Robin Bear;128685 wrote: It is possible to bring in members and volunteers no matter what 3 letters you have behind you. It is all a frame of mind!
Remember...the more positive you are in life the more positives you get in return!
Hi Robin -
Welcome. On the involvement stuff, I couldn't agree with you more, bith about the acronym and about the tactics you used to grow involvement. Nice job.
The one trick about the acronym, though, is that -- if it doesn't matter -- then why pay for one when the other is free?
I came onto this message board to obtain information about switching to a PTO from a PTA....and now I find myself having to comment. I am a former PTA Co-President who was asked to get involved as our PTA was starting to fail. I had never even been on a committee, just a volunteer in the classroom. I will honestly admit I don't think I was the best "woman" for the job, but there was no one else! I owned my own business at the time and was afraid of the time committment, which is why we turned to a Co-Presidency. After agreeing to take the position and the nominating committee voting me in I went to my 1st meeting. WOW! As I sat with the other 3 people there I invisioned the then executive board in robes and white wigs! It was the most umwelcoming experience I have ever witnessed.
I have to tell you folks that if you are having volunteer problems...it is because you are NOT welcoming people in. The first meeting in September of 2004 had appproximately 22 people. I was told that wouldn't last!
Well, maybe it did because we swithched the format of seating to a square, so all could feel a part of the meeting and on the same level. We are all there because we care about our school and children...why not sit together?
Or was it because I welcomed everyone and thanked them at the start of each meeting for coming and all of their time already given...
Or was it because I said hello to everyone, especially those who were new faces, and asked them questions about their children...
Or was it because I asked everyone for comments or suggestions and made sure they were acted upon...
Or was it because each month in my presidents letter I wrote a warm and comfortable letter and made mention in different ways as to why it is important to be involved and how much it meant to their children. Start to personalize it folks...you will see a huge difference!
Or was it because I talked about succession planning and the future of the PTA.
The success of volunteers depends on the leaders and the principal of your school. I spoke about us all being a TEAM...soon we became one.
Last year when it was time to form a nominating committee and find new Co-Presidents and a treasurer it was a new world. Both positions had to be voted on as we had wonderful volunteers ready to step up! The monthly meetings had an average of 21 people for 2 years!
It is possible to bring in members and volunteers no matter what 3 letters you have behind you. It is all a frame of mind!
You see folks I have a very positive feeling toward our PTA...I am only here checking into PTO because our schools do not fit into the PTA way of thinking. The PTA is here to help those schools that have difficulty with funding and education cut backs. They suppported the bill 750 referendom which would have really hurt our school district. Many of the things they believe do not apply to us. That is what you need to think about when deciding to have an "A" or "O" after your organization!
Remember...the more positive you are in life the more positives you get in return!
I have to just say that when our school was PTA they paid over $800.00 to the National PTA and there were only about six people who actually did anything so for our school it was not worth it. I have found that being PTO has helped us in the long run, as far as resources this site has been a godsend and also the PTO 2 hour power pledge helped our volunteering increase dramatically. No cost, all the resources all ready to print off and use. Yesterday I did go to the PTA site for a resource and you can no longer print it off, you have to request the info. It said a PTA rep would be in touch, guess I have to pay huh?
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
Caty;127868 wrote: I have noticed that our PTA is acting like a PTO. Their meeting are not "official", they make all of their own decisions without voting and goign to the general body,
Just for clarification: that does not equal "acting like a PTO". The majority of PTOs -- just like the majority of PTAs -- follow bylaws and try their best to be open and inclusive. You've run into a group that may not be doing a good job on that front. You'll find both PTAs and PTOs who operate like that; it's got little or nothing to do with the acronym.
Caty;127868 wrote: I would like to know how the decision is made about switching from one to another. Is it voted on by the current PTA, general body, or does the principal have the decision? How does one get started? ....... If anyone has done the research and would like to make it available, that would be great.
As discussed earlier in this (and other) threads, changing from a PTA to a PTO (or vice versa) isn't a magic elixir for solving involvement problems. In fact, the acronym has little to do with involvement.
That said, I agree with you that if a group isn't using any PTA resources, there's no use to continue paying all those dues.
I am new to our state and to our school. I was an active PTA officer at our old school and being just a "normal" board member at our new school, I have noticed that our PTA is acting like a PTO. Their meeting are not "official", they make all of their own decisions without voting and goign to the general body, they are paying dues to state and national but not using any of their resources, etc. I would like to know how the decision is made about switching from one to another. Is it voted on by the current PTA, general body, or does the principal have the decision? How does one get started? Our PTA is the same group of women year after year that do not like change, nor do they like any "new" parent giving fresh ideas. They are set in THEIR ways and unfriendly. If anyone has done the research and would like to make it available, that would be great.
