Originally posted by ihad2muchcoffee:
Ask the school if you can write a letter for the newsletter to introduce yourself, talk about your plans & goals and what you would like the PTO to accomplish the rest of the year--and also plea for parents to step up and join the board or to volunteer at your planned events... let them know the PTO can't do it without them!

Hope this helps!

Congratulations & the best of luck to you!

It hepls so much! I never tought of that idea but it is one that is most important. These parents need to know who I am and what my intention are for 05'. So, I will start on this project first.

Thank you for the encouragement!

[ 12-09-2004, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: delene touchine ]

Originally posted by JHB:

If you don't need a BIG fundraiser, then I'd go for a family night at a restaurant where the PTO gets a percentage of the proceeds that particular night. It's not big bucks, but it's a fun, easy event with very little work other than a flyer or two encouraging people to support the school and eat at XZY one night.

Definitely - keep it simple the first time. You don't want to do something like a Carnival right out of the gate.

I like the thought of faimly nites. I should be reciving the Family nite art and crafts kit, so iI am excited about that. We live in a area where Native American Art is everywhere. I think I can get local artist to help with the teaching of different types of art. Our art teacher is part time and is shared with another school, so this may her her also.

The resturant thing may not work well but it had sprung another idea... I was thinking about a Family Nite at the Movies. There is a beautiful theater downtown and I'm sure we can reserve it for a night at no charge to the PTO. It would be a great way to spark interst in potential PTO members.

Originally posted by PTOPres03:
Do you have other officers? Have you met with them yet? Maybe one of them has more experience. Just sharing ideas can be a huge help. Also, I'd call a couple of nearby schools and see if they can put you in contact with their PTO or PTA presidents. Take them out for a cup of coffee and pick their brains! While this won't help right now, see if you can attend one of the PTO Today conferences. You won't believe what a help they are, and you'll make greta contacts, too! Good luck.

Hey, Thanks! There is a school near by and they always have awesome events. I will call and set up something with their group. I'm loving the ideas!

[ 12-09-2004, 01:34 PM: Message edited by: delene touchine ]

Originally posted by TheMetzyMom:
On the fundraising: Or you can do what we've done in the past: Go to your local merchants. Ask them to donate boxes of candy canes. Tie a gift tag (To/From) to each one. Sell each candy cane individually for .50 or classroom quantity for $10 (covers every child and the teacher per classroom). Put your sales down on lined paper, using a To and From column. Sell them in the mornings before school. When you close up each morning, take your list and write the "To's" and "From's" on the tags that are attached to the candy canes. Have Santa deliver the sold canes to the classrooms the last day you have school before Christmas break. This sale traditionally brings in about $4000 for a school of 700 students. That is selling them each day, before school, for 7-10 days.

The nice thing about this sale is it only takes a few volunteers, each working about 1/2 hour each morning. The downside? The reason we no longer do this sale is because I find it heart wrenching when Santa visits a class and only a few students get a candy cane. It is hard for a small child to understand why Santa didn't bring them one. You can always "give" out small candy canes during Santa's visit, and use the larger canes to sell. Just don't let anyone know that each child will get a candy cane anyway or it will cost you sales.

Good Luck!

Thank You! I love this idea. Some kids at the school my not have a chance to see Santa at the mall or any other place. Its a great oppurtunity to raise a little money and ensure the childrens happiness. Ilove it! Thanks Again!

Ask the school if you can write a letter for the newsletter to introduce yourself, talk about your plans & goals and what you would like the PTO to accomplish the rest of the year--and also plea for parents to step up and join the board or to volunteer at your planned events... let them know the PTO can't do it without them!

Hope this helps!

Congratulations & the best of luck to you!

TheMetzyMom - I kind of agree with you on the brochure idea, but I'd probably narrow it and lean towards cookie dough (unless someone else in the neighborhood is doing it).

We find it's something that buyers fairly universally like and purchase, so there's not so much backlash about unwanted knicknacks and overpriced wrapping paper. The general catalog sales CAN certainly be successful, I just don't know if I'd do one first.

Note - the cookie dough delivery is a bit more complex. You are dealing with a refrigerated product so have to be very firm about families picking it up during the designated time.

If you don't need a BIG fundraiser, then I'd go for a family night at a restaurant where the PTO gets a percentage of the proceeds that particular night. It's not big bucks, but it's a fun, easy event with very little work other than a flyer or two encouraging people to support the school and eat at XZY one night.

Definitely - keep it simple the first time. You don't want to do something like a Carnival right out of the gate.

[ 12-09-2004, 12:14 AM: Message edited by: JHB ]