Michael when I first read your post I thought wow what great numbers and then I was reading some other posts and am thinking that you are from a private school, are you? If you are then that explains to alot of us your numbers, it has always been that private schools have more parents involved at a higher level. alot of times schools are parent co-op or a required amount of time is required, does your school do this? I attended a seminar by Joyce Epstein last year in Baltimore and she had some great percentages for volunteers, it was something like 30% of parents are involved internally at schools(volunteers in school areas, etc.) I would take 30% of my school's families volunteering during the year than to worry how to get more than 25 at a monthly pto meeting. For the record we have 40% of families covered for volunteering at some point during the year, and about 8% attend meetings on a regular basis.
I think it is important that numbers don't dictate how good a group can be, a group that stops growing stops learning. If you add two new people a year then you are growing and new people can bring lots of new ideas. A small group of people can make a difference and has...
Wow, I am amazed! I was ripping into our attendance at meetings,but I am impressed w/th #'s we get. School of 175 kids/120 families first meeting 100+ after that lowest attendance is about 40. How can your PTO evolve adn your events get better if there are only so few giving their input? Sure having all your volunteeers for an event is great..but do you know Suzy Smith or is she Tommy's mom. Our organization at our school is not just commoraderie or family, It's people who care alot about whats going on with our kids, teachers and school. It's making decisions that will affect things in and outside the school.
If your having succesful years with 10 people in your meeting imagine how much more succesful you could be if you had 40 or 50 at your meeting?
Maybe some of you like it with just 5 or 10 of you making all the decisions. If you want them to come out they will come its all about presentation adn education.
If anyone is interested in boosting attendance or has ideas of their own email me and we can chat and exchange ideas!
We have around 475 students. There are always 5 of us that attend-2 parents, 2 teachers, and the principal. The first meeting or two we have up to 7 more parents come. They usually want to give their ideas and leave. We have recruited one more parent for this year for our board.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
We have around 200 students. Only the PTO Board shows up for meetings - 7. We usually get 20-30 parents to volunteer for field day and holiday shop. When we have fun nights we ask the staff and usually get around 10.
We have about 550 families, about 25 active committees, an executive board of 6, and a monthly meeting that averages 20, but the range is 40 down to 9! We don't freak out about meeting attendance, though. We had over 150 different parents help at our two biggest events last year. Meetings are just another communication method, and some fellowship. As long as we have at least 15, we can vote if necessary. Our Exec Board also meets separately a few days prior to the open meeting.
