I'm so glad to see that someone else wanted to do the samething as me!!! I'm hoping to take the president seat next year(nobody is running against me). I came up with the idea 3 nights ago when I was asked to please take the office. My head teacher thought it was a great idea! It made me feel better to see you wanted to do it also. Our PTO has been in really bad shape for about 3 years now. Alot of the moms have felt there is a lack of communication, and I think this will help close that gap a bit. I think you are doing the right thing!
We always try to have next year's board/chairmen in place before the end of the current school year. There's so much to do over the summer!!!
Yes, Writermom, some volunteers do back out on commitments (or forget) but the majority don't.
A brochure in the registration packet is good for informational purposes. You can set up a dedicated email address using a free service such as yahoo or hotmail for interested people to contact.
Our biggest recruitment opportunity is during registration week, which happens three weeks before the first day of school. Our PTO sets up a table and mans it with officers and chairmen. We're on hand to answer questions and, hopefully, fill the volunteer sign up sheets. We have a clipboard for each committee, asking for name, phone #, address and email. The sheets are then given to the respective chairmen who contact people via phone, postcard or email.
This is my last year as president. Our slated president for next year is going to use our May meeting this year as a PTO Open House. She hopes this will help fill open chairmen slots and reach out to new parents and encourage them to get involved next year. It's our first year to try this but she's confident and organized and I think it'll work for her! She put a notice in the April newsletter, sent fliers home and has an announcment on the school's website. Even if it only brings in a handful of parents, it's more than we have now.
All of that said, though, it's good to leave a few things wide open. Parents new to the school next year will feel more welcome if there are ways for them to still get involved.
I am trying hard to at least announce next year's board at the annual meeting on May 2. It has been tough to get anyone to agree to chair anything, though. Most people don't want to look past summer at this point here.
It will make things so much easier for next year's auction and holiday shop if we get started early, but I am one of only a few who can see it at our school.
If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down. <img src=images/smilies/smile.gif>
I am also a newly elected president. I just sent out an e-mail to next years board members requesting a 'Gathering of the Gals' at my house. There was some tension with the elections and I want everyone to move past that. I thought the best way was to have them over for a few hours and begin working on next year. It also redirects our thoughts on the future events and not the past.
I know what you mean, and even though I've decided to not put myself up for any board position next year, I still find myself thinking of ideas. One nice thing is I can always pass them on to the next President and Board.
I don't know what it is about us PTO-ers! When everyone else is winding down and getting ready for summer, we're kicking it into high gear and getting all excited about next year!!
I'm planning (if I get re-elected...always gotta have that disclaimer) on meeting with my new board over the summer to get a jump start on next year. We've typically waited until August and then it's too late to get parents at Meet-the-Teacher night. Or what happened this year....I man the PTO booth all night by myself and my kids teacher's never even see me!
I've been wanting to meet with the principal to plan next year's calendar, but I'm trying hard to wait until after elections next month. I don't want to per her off acting like I'm a sure winner.
