First, don't panic! You have taken on quite a responsibility, but you can do it. Refer to the resources posted above. PTO Today is a great resource.

The first thing you should focus on is recruiting your board. Before you even think about fundraising or anything else, you need a solid group of volunteers who can work together. No need to rush into fundraising or putting on a big event. It may take a while, but you need the traction of a good group of volunteers.

Getting people involved can be difficult. Tap people you know, but also make sure you reach out to the whole community of parents. If you don't have a contact list (including emails), start building one right away.

You may want to think about starting with a survey, as I explain on this blog post .

Good luck! You'll be great!!

smcooper-
You've come to the right place -- lots of great articles, tools, and programs to help re-start your group. PRS-VP has given you some good advice - you'll find loads of flyers, forms, and hand outs that will save you a lot of time in our file exchange:
PTO Today File Exchange

Another good place to start is by downloading the new leader kit (free):
New Leader Kit
That should help you get off on the right foot.

As for advice on fundraising:
Keys to Fundraising Success - PTOToday.com

For meetings check out this blog post:
PTO Today Blog Blog Archive My Tip of the Week: Preparing for Your First Meeting

I hope this gives you a place to start. Your instinct to post on the message boards is a good one - hope to see you back often.
Best of luck,
Lisa

Do you have access to an email list of parents in your school? Or perhaps the office would be willing to work with you on this. Send a mass email letting every parent and guardian know that the PTA or PTO is returning to XYZ School and that you need help. List open positions, and state what the main goals of the group will be. Make sure to include that you're looking for a group who wants to have fun while providing an enhanced learning environment for every student. Check out the file exchange for the Top 10 Reasons to join the PTO and include that in the email. Also be sure to include your contact information, encouraging anyone to call you for more details and to answer any questions they may have. Hope this gives you a good start!

I am the new PTA president for my daughters school. We have not had a PTA in three years, so needless to say we have no funds nor do I have a vice president or secretary.

I have ideas but I have no idea where to begin. DO any of you have any tips, ideas, suggestion you can give me on fund raising, meetings, and so on. This is my first daughter in school, 1st grade, so I have never even been to a PTA meeting, we had none last year. Any help any of you can give would be a great help!