I did it! My first General Membership Meeting went well...I stumbled on my words and turned 10 shades of red BUT I learned that I "could" do it, that I am human and I too, am a volunteer! I think that now I have this one under my belt, it will (hopefully) get a little easier! I managed to begin the meeting on time and kept within my 15 minute time frame (Our ENTIRE board gets sick at the thought of speaking!...So, I spoke for everyone!)and that included our principal speaking for a few moments too. I even had to present the Treasurer's report and make motions to have our audit and proposed budget approved (she was home with a sick child)! Its amazing how quickly my headache went away when I was done! After our meeting, we had a storyteller perform - He was FANTASTIC! If any of you ever have the opportunity to have Dylan Prichett come to your school, you should jump at the chance - He is amazing and the kids love him! He has been to our school five times BUT this is the first time that he actually performed for our school (twice during the day) and then came back for our meeting. It was an incredible gift for our PTA to be able to expose all of our children to him! Anyway, I know this is long and I could go on and on forever..I just wanted to share with you how it went.
Thank you again for your advice, suggestions and support!
Check out the Bonus Tools section of this site. There are sample agendas, minutes etc. that may help you move your first few meetings along a little more smoothly. Good luck~I'm a newbie too, so I feel your nervousness! If you've been involved for 4yrs., your way ahead of me. Once you getting going, you'll be fine!! Just remember, it is NOT the end of the world if you make a mistake, stumble on a few words or forget someone's name. We learn as we go! & anyone that has been involved w/your group will know that.
Believe me, I remember those feelings! You know though, I found that as long as you come in with a positive attitude, and a spirit of openess and friendliness that for the most part people will respond positively and jump in to help.
Putting the focus on family is wonderful. We've been doing much more of that the last couple of years and it really makes a difference in how our group is viewed by the school families and staff. It makes everything more fun too.
Thank you....I am so nervous! However, I must clarify...we have had two Executive Board Meetings already (where we have board and committee chairpersons attend, as well as teacher representative and our principal).
This week will be our first General Membership Meeting of the new school year....Hopefully, we will have a good turnout of students, parents and teachers. Historically, hardly anyone attends our GMM. Our current Executive Board changed the day of the week to Tuesday this year, since Thursdays are typically big nights for homework and studying for tests on Friday. Also we are focusing on "family" this year as our theme for our monthly get-to-gethers. You would think after being involved in our PTA for 4 years, I would have a good understanding! I am not feeling confident in my postion at all right now.
Robert's Rules of Order are great on the "etiquette" of conducting meetings.
As for our meeting structure:
We always have an agenda and try to follow it as closely as possible.
We try to limit the length discussions go on. If it seems like we're getting nowhere, we table the discussion until the next meeting when we can have more definitive info. or the Prez will stop the discussion, paraphrase what has been said and ask for a motion.
We have a time at the end of the meeting for "other business".
Since it's your first meeting, make it casual and friendly without too much "business stuff". Be sure to introduce all the board members too.
I am a new PTA President and we are having our first general membership meeting this week, followed by a family performance. I am seeking insight on "how to" conduct such meeting beginning with the pledge with a 15 minute time frame. We have a new board this year and not much information was passed along to us.
