We just had our first meeting of the year tonight and had 30 parents, this is larger than any meeting last year. In addition, we published a PTO handbook listing every activity and fund raiser that we could do, with this we sent a volunteer sheet and have already received 75 back, not bad for 275 students. Keep fighting for help and it will come.
We basically had a new PTO board last year and were in desparate need of parent involvement. Communication was our biggest improvement last year. I also made phone calls to everyone who sent their sheets back saying they would volunteer. Our principal actually came up with the idea to get more parents at the meetings. We got 2 classroom representatives for each grade. We only have a school of 125. So we went from have only board members at the meetings to having at least 10 parents at every meeting. It was very encouraging. We plan on doing it again this year. We have gotten alot of great ideas and a renewed school spirit!
Patti
You go girl!! 55 parents at one meeting that is unheard of. We have done the newsletters and been very visable too and we might get 3 but thats rare. This is my 5th year, well hopefully 5th, but thats a differt story and thought it would always be that way I gave up
Last year was our best year with getting new faces at our PTA meetings, (I mean parents, not teachers - I won't go there...). I think one of the big reasons was because we communicated with them more than in the past. We sent home Newsletters, made phone calls, etc. Some parents never come to meetings but their always there helping out.
We've had a problem in the past of parents thinking the PTA is full of clicks. I'm sure this may have been true in the past, but we've tried to spread the word that it has changed.
Many problems parents have with PTO's is not enough information is shared.
I am thinking about starting a private message board for our members. Sometimes it is not possible to attend meetings. Many parents are working and cannot participate, however, they would like to be an active member.
