good luck. our organization changed from pta to pto about 15 years ago. it took some time, but out of 500 families in the district, we registered 400 members strong (@ $5.00 per year dues).

I brought up the discussion at an officer's meeting in March. We talked about it during our April and also before the vote at the May meeting. We only had nine paid members this year and I let everone of them know it was important to be there for the vote, so that we would have a quorum. All but one were in attendance.
I sent the required two week prior to vote notification. I really just wrote that since we were not in compliance of being members "in good stasnding" due to not having 25 members and that we don't avail ourselves of their resources, that it didn't make sense for us to continue being a PTA. Not a word back from our state folks. There isn't a state rep anywhere in this area of Michigan. Guess they didn't want to send someone to taslk us out of it all the way from Lansing. LOL
I also posted on our bulletin board that there would be a vote. As secretary, it is my duty to notify them that we voted to disband. I have had no time, will get to that next week, after school is out and my son is at camp.
As for the dollars, we opened a PTO account and transferred. Left enough in the old account to keep it open for outstanding checks.
All in all, it went smoothly.

Robin D...we've been using the Three for Me volunteer program for two full years now. We get wonderful responses back from parents, fully 2/3 of our 500 school families send back their sign up sheets that specify what areas events and programs they would like to be involved in. The problem seems to be that when we call those folks, there are one million and one excuses for why they can't help.
I know that situations change, etc but I give ALL the detail needed for ALL volunteer opportunities in our two buildings. I want them to write these things on their calendars, commit to doing them and not pull some lame excuse like I have to shampoo my dog that afternoon. LOL For real!
We sponsor a fall craft show and were having a HUGE issue getting parents to help. I e-mailed over 60 employees at our two buildings asking for just a two hour commitment from any of them. I got TWO E-MAILS BACK!!!
We're in a unique area of Michigan. Our county has one town in it, sitting pretty much in the middle of a 50 mile east-west stretch and a 30 mile north-south stretch. We have no busing, so when folks get home, 15 miles out of town, they don't want to get back out for various things. We know that feeding them pizza works though and we use it as much as is financially feasible.
I really just want folks to have a sense of ownership in this parent group. I've found some awesome beginning of the year welcome type letters on here. One specified that as parents of the school, everyone is automatically a member of the PTO and as members, helping is expected. It was wonderfully worded, not in your face. I will tweak the letters for our schools and use it as the cover letter when we send home Three for Me info.
Good grief...a novel later....thanks for your suggestions. I am going to try something along the lines of the specific invitations that you suggested. Something I can create on the computer and change up for specific events and then send home, followed by a phone call.
OK, my fingers are tired now. Thanks again.

Well, first, congratulations! I am sure you had some bumps along the way.

Secondly, please. please. please don't get discouraged when you don't see your number of participants rise by leaps and bounds. I think most people on these boards can attest that the average participation rate is less than 10% of total parent population of the school.

As many of us have said in the past.. the best way to get people involved is NOT by surveys, general newsletters and meetings, but by individual invitations for specific events.

For example, blurb from newsletter " Need help for Spring Carnival, Monday June 18th- please call 867-5309, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Better way.. calling, emailing or face to face " Hello Tim, we are having a Spring Carnival on June 18th and we would love your support if you are available. We are serving food, playing tug of war, and have an obstacle course. Would you be willing to help with one of those events either from 10-12 or 1-3 that day? "

ok.. you get the point. WE all see the big vision and what has to be done for an event.. but the average parent who doesn't know what's going on, and who, frankly, doesn't care.. needs a specific time.. it always works.. I promise

( did anyone pick up on that pseudo phone # I used? )

Hi Debbie --

Any summary of how it went for you? How many meetings? Any visitors or contentiousness? How'd you handle the $$? etc.

Tim

After four years as a PTA, we voted last week to drop our affiliation with PTA and go the "O" way.
My fingers and toes and hairs are crossed that this new marketing of everyone being a member will fire some folks up and increase involvement. I know it's not a cure all for what ails us but it may be enough of a booster.
Wish us luck!