I would grab the by-laws for your PTO and memorize them. If they seem to be out of sync with what your group has done in the past, I'd revise them, and vote on them first thing in the fall. Make sure everyone knows what their official duties and responsibilities are. Look at your 'mission' for the year, and plan according to it, not necessarily to tradition. Plan your general meeting 'programs' now and begin lining up guest speakers asap. Make sure all general meetings are informative, useful, fun and don't last too long.
Don't let regularly board meetings go. It is important to meet at a set time each month- even if yiu see everybody at school everyday.
Some things just can't be talked baout in the hall.
Don't make all of the board meetings boring- vary the place. Meet in a restaurant, at someone's house etc. as well as at school. People are more apt to some to meetings if they are comfortable and can bring their kids.
Meet with your board casually BRFORE you sit down with the principal to talk about your year's plans.Use that first meeting to brainstorm.
Be ready to change plans if things happen you just can't predict.
Lastly- Remember to say "Thank you" to everybody OFTEN! Either written, or verbally. People need to know they are appreciated. I have always tried to have a treat at every meeting- to let them know I care about them and value all of their help.
Good luck!
You have definitely come to the right place. You can get a lot of help from our site and this discussion forum. If your group feels that you want some additional help - you should take a look at the National PTO Network (NPN)
NPN Info
. NPN is like AAA for parent groups and includes expert guidebooks on parent involvement, treasury, and other topics as well as an 800 help-line for those really tricky questions.
