Kyle I know exactly how you feel. After being a member for almost 4 years at school doing the same old same old and little ole me trying and trying to breathe some life into it was shot down at every suggestion every turn every chance I had. Last year I had had enough and carried through on my New Year's resolution. I attended the fisrt meeting of the year. and after the meeting conered the pres and treasurer. I was on a mission to impliment a bazaar "festival" I was shot down but would not take no as an answer i sounded like a pre-Ker Why why why why. Finally I heard the magic words "well possibly if we had someone to organize it we may look into it" No it wasn't a yes and they did not share my excitement however I took as a plea for help. I went home created an outline, agenda, volunteer slips, donation letter, flyers to go home, a budget, everything I felt would be needed presented it at the next meeting and was horifically shot down. All that hard work all that planning for nothing. They had no intention of entertaining such a notion. Aha A light at the end of the tunnel for all my hard work. Most schools normally raise money separate from the PTO you know school picture, Dare programs, coke machines ETC... the school gets their cut. I wounder if the principal would be interested. He attends all PTO functions after his speach I presented him with my packet and he said he would review it and I went home. the next day I recieved a call that we would have our Bazaar and preperations went into full swing. Of course once the principal okayed it the PTO was only too happy to oblige. As the new PTO prez I make sure every suggestion is followed thru. Admittedly not all suggestions have been implimented but each "suggetor" has recived a call form me and the only ones not implimemted are so far are ones that even they admit they have no time to committ.
Sorry to hear you are having such a bad experience. It sounds like a very closed minded group. But, remember, it's for the benefit of the kids and not about changing the world. Do what you can and try to fun!
Thanks for the reply guys. The biggest problem I have with the pto is that the don't have any committees. They have no intention of forming any. They only hold 4 meetings a year. The fundraisers I was suggesting to the PTO, we not ones that needed to be contracted out. They were little things like having grab bags at our Fall festival, selling some refreshments, silly things like that. I also offered to open a PTO booth at the open house this week and was shot down. The only fundraiser they have planned for the year IS the Fall Festival. We only have 4 grand in our account and the Festival on average only brings in a couple hundred dollars. Now granted, we live in a "poorer" community, not down right poor, but working families who live in old mobile homes and old communities. The PTO just don't seem to want to do anything. The President a VP are a nice little clique that are only concerned with themselves and the outside businesses that they own. The even worse thing is, the both have kids in the same grade as mine so the will be in office until who knows when. We only have 6 memebrs including myself, and only 2 of us are not in the "clique". Any more input you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for letting me vent guys.
Kyle
Our Spring fundraiser is usually picked out in January and the fall fundraiser is usually nailed down in early Spring. I would suggest getting on the fundraiser committee. I know that I learned a lot by doing that and was able to help choose fundraisers I felt good about after the experience. I had no idea how much wrap and candy fundraisers brought in compared to the profit margins of more "interesting" fundraisers. What we did was find the best wrap and candy fundraiser we could.
Our group also plans fundraisers the year prior. It is the way you secure your dates with not just the school, but the vendor as well.
Kyle, hang in there. I went through what you are going through now. Even though it is hard, just remember that you may not have all the facts. The biggest thing I can remember is that I didn't know the school district rules and the current leaders did. I thought it would be just fine for us to have a sixth grade dance, but the district doesn't allow that. I didn't know. Anyway, that is one example.
Sign up for what you can this year and by the time the voting comes around for the following year's fundraising and events, you'll find yourself right in the thick of it. Meanwhile, write down those ideas, or better yet, Share Them With Us!!!
Most often our major fundraisers are planned for the year before. But we do have impromtu furndraisers to raise funds for a specific, unexpected goal. My advice, if you are passionate about this idea or another - tell them you are willing to wait and will chair the event/fundraiser for next year. Sometimes it is hard to break through the core group. [img]redface.gif[/img] ) Keep pushing though and don't give up!
