Here is my 0.02 cents. First, I would send 'reply with history' e-mail confirming that you had received her feedback, thank her for it and would state that you will be calling her on such and such date and time to discuss further. Copy all those on board and principal.
When you do speak to her, ask her EXACTLY what offends her...is it the fundraising part or the kid part or both or neither. Tell her that you would welcome her a member of the PTO and value any and all suggestions she can offer on how to raise funds for the school less obtrusively.
Above would be official line... My unofficial response would be to simply say "If you don't want to participate in a fundraiser, then don't. Your child gets a form sent home, as does every other child. We raise funds to support our programs and our fall fundraiser is how we do it."
What method are you planning to use to respond? E-mail, phone, or a personal note? I'm not usually an e-mail fan for responses to touchy situations, but in this case I would probably respond via e-mail and make sure I copied the rest of my board and the principal when I send it. I would then follow up with a personal note thanking the parent for letting you know of her concerns and express your hope that she is more comfortable with the situation now and if she has any further concerns to give you or any other board member a call.
I agree with the other posts. I also think sometimes parents might be uncomfortable with ( product) fundraisers becuase they are not in the position (financially) to support the school......We make a point of saying the reason we have multiple fundraisers is to give people a variety. They are in no way obligated to buy....and we explain that there are other ways to support PTO.....boxtops, campbells, escrip etc. These are just as important,
perhaps they can help by either running or collecting for one of these fundraisers................Rose
PZ had a lot of great inputs. I too think that it is worth sending a note or card that lets her know how important her feedback is and how much you appreciate hearing a different side. The reality of what you do as an organization forthe children and the school requires funding. You'd welcome her thoughts on how to continue the wonderful programs you offer with alternate type funding programs.
You can also emphasize that all fundraisers are voluntary and that you work hard to ensure that those things you do offer for sale are worthy of purchase by your families. The "thanks for the input and help us improve" has been working for retail for years...and who knows--she just might step up to the plate.
If she doesn't however, she will have no room to lament to others that you didn't pay attention.
d
I'll let you put this in your own words. There are several things I'd work on including.
1) Sorry, didn't mean to offend you
2) It's optional
3) Reasons you're trying to raise funds, what you do with those funds, how they'll benefit her child
4) Hope she'll join the PTO and help you improve communications in the future and help steer the PTO to do the things she sees as important.
