My group ok'd a fundraiser that we just kicked off & we're using the funds for technology. Our teachers need some updated equip.(laminator,projectors,elmos,speaker system for multi purpose room...) so that will be our focus. I've been trying to get our principal to approve this for several months, she finally agreed. Just keep trying & don't be afraid to ask why not. Good luck.

This is interesting... Tim, thanks for your input, too! I see what you mean by having direction. Perhaps I will determine a need for the fundraiser (as I have requested from our Superintendant); then draft that in outline form for the next meeting. Then, when they mention the "tabled" items, I can the present it in a formal manner with identifying the needs of the school. If they shoot down the fundraiser idea I presented, at least then I'm laying down the fact that the school has given me a list of needs.

Great advice & support from everyone! Please continue to send ideas, as I'm soaking it up like a sponge!!! I appreciate it SO MUCH!!!!

This website is so wonderful. I have mentioned it to several of my allies in PTO (including our principals and superintendant!)!!!! Thank you PTO Today for providing this avenue of networking. It is wonderful!

-Angi

AngiY are there other parents in your group who notice this too? Maybe you, your friend and the others can out vote the officers. Our president only votes to break a tie, other than that she doesn't vote at all. It is in our by-laws. The rest of the parents (not many) usually say what ever we decide is okay with them. We really don't get a lot of input from them. I agree with the others about YOU running next time. Hope things get better.

Originally posted by AngiY:
So if I ran for office, does that mean officers can implement ideas regardless if the members vote them down?

No, not in a correctly-functioning group. Just as your feeling put-upon now, imagine how other new members might feel/react, if you go into office and just do whatever you like. It's a quick recipe for the "clique" accusation and even lower involvement.

Originally posted by AngiY:

Perhaps it's in the presentation ....

-- we can't be the only ones doing it all....

....It almost seems dysfunctional looking at it like that!

It definitely *could* be in the presentation; that certainly can play a big role in how things are perceived and received.

But it seems to me like you're putting the cart before the horse. You've got ideas for a $10k fundraiser that are getting shot down; there are only 5 active people (and maybe 2 who are real active); there is little in the way of systems or rules -- you've got to start with the most basic problem first: involvement.

You and your "ally" need to focus on gettiung more people involved who share a vision for what your PTO can be or wants to be? If you have 2 now, can you get to 6 or 8? Even those 3 who aren't supportive currently -- are you guys on the same page as to what you want the PTO to be/do? Gotta get there. First.

And if you get a team all agreeing on direction, then start some planning together. Pick one or two involvement activities (a School Family Night maybe?) and work on connecting with and engaging more school parents. Then your 6 or 8 can hopefully become 10 or 12 (volunteers/workers) and dozens and dozens more parents who participate.

Starting with involvement is key because: 1) research proves just how essential increased involvement is to school performance; and 2) even your fundraising efforts will struggle, unless you raise involvement first.

Love to continue the discussion and here from others.

Tim

[ 03-10-2006, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

So if I ran for office, does that mean officers can implement ideas regardless if the members vote them down? How does that work?

Perhaps it's in the presentation -- because I showed them the fundraiser idea and then they voted -- maybe I should have simply said, "this is the fundraiser that we're going to do" -- more or less telling them what we're going to do rather than asking if they wanted to do it?

And, it's just not the fundrasier idea, there are several more -- it's just depressing that I have the energy (along with my friend), but we both have families and have commitments there, so we really need everyone's support to make all of these things happen for our school -- we can't be the only ones doing it all.

I DO appreciate the advice! And, I will keep my chin up! Thank you! That is encouragment to keep me focused and to continue what I am doing!


Oh well... I don't even think we have an election for officers, it's just if you want to be the president or whatever, just speak up & they'll let you. It almost seems dysfunctional looking at it like that!

I'm running into that's a good idea but I'm the one doing it all(& I'm the pres.) & no one is offering any other ideas.. I mean I organize & plan & recruit volunteers. I'm in a school that has really done nothing fun for the kids so I'm trying to change that. My closed school always had something fun going on whether it was a pto event or the principal did something. I now have a principal (wondering how she became one) 'that is not all there.' Keep your chin up & run for office.