My recommendation to any president would be:
Remain visible before and after school and meet people. Introduce yourself to them, let them know you are the PTO/PTA president this year and that you would love to let them know about a couple of things coming up in the next month and ask if they have any questions that you may be able to answer for them.
Wear a SMILE and just meet people. Also don't overwhelm them with so many things that you need volunteers for, but instead work on one or two things at time.
Be sure to introduce others from the PTA/PTO board to those that you've recently meet. This takes the clique out of the organization and welcomes people together. People will be impressed and feel the friendship that you are extending.
Also consider doing a friendly social get together morning coffee each week after they drop off the kids - maybe at McDonalds, or such relaxing easy atmosphere place.
[This message has been edited by dcd (edited 07-22-2001).]
I'm a new Pres, but fortunate to be coming into something that's running fairly well. One suggestion I've heard, and used already, is to meet with the other Presidents in your town, or neighboring towns. You're not in competition, and they may turn out to be a great resource. Good luck
You have a few different question going on, so I will try and answer them individually. 1. Since you are a PTA, call your state PTA and ask them for leadership resources. They will be able to give you a ton. Also ask them when there are local leadership workshops and plan on attendeing with your officers. Plan on also attending PTA and the law. You want to have all the training you can get.If you are in a council, also get in touch with them. They are there to help. 2. Read over the last years minutes and budget. This will help you to get an idea of what your units goals and direction are. Aslo read a copy of your units by- laws. This document has helped cover me frequently the past year. 3. As for selling cookbooks, talk to other PTA/PTO's and find out what there success with this fund raiser was. Hopefully someone on this site can give you a past experience with this.4. The newsletter and a web site are great ideas. They help inform the parents and staff as to what your group is doing. Another good idea suggested by plw is to make up a flyer on your PTA's calendar of events. List all of your PTA's events throughout the year month by month with dates. This will help the parents and staff see all that your group does throughout the year. On the bottom, list your volunteer coodinators phone # for those who would like to help. Also list your membership chairpersons phone # for those who would like to join. Also utilize your local newspaper. Our paper loves to put in articles on what the schools-parent groups are doing. 5. Make up a volunteer list with duties and send them out via munchin mail. Also had out these out at kindergarten round up. Sometimes people just need to know specifically how they can help. However I have found the best way to get people to help is by a personal phone call or converstaion 6. Meet with your board this summer. Get a good relationship going with them and come up with common goals. It helps if the majority is all going in the same direction. 7. DELEGATE!!! Let your chairpeople do their jobs. Learn when to say no and make sure you take time out for your family, yourself and your freinds. You want to be sane at the end of the year hee hee.
I can't agree with Marion enough! You can't do everything yourself. If this is your second year in the school you proble don't know a lot of the parents. Don't let that be an excuse. They are out there and if you don't find them this year you will find them next year.
A lady that I met on this web site told me that when you do voulenteering you tend to lose out on your family time. Don't let that happen to you. It did me last year, but this year I have found people that want to help PTO. They didn't before because it was ran by two sisters that didn't need any help. Make sure you ask for help and use the help you get even if they don't do the things the way you would of. As long as the job gets done it doesn't matter how.
I also agree with Marion on the teachers. One of the best things that you can do is have a teacher on your board. She will be able to inform you on things that are going on at the school. It makes it easier then trying to be at the school every day yourself.
First thing you need to do is realize you can't do it all yourself! (seems like an obvious one, but it's taken me a while to realize that)
Make a list of the goals you have for the year. Meet w/ your executive board and discuss the goals, see what their goals are as well. Figure out what you'll need to do to reach those goals (how much money will you need to raise, how many volunteers, what are the deadlines, etc.)
Over the summer, contact parents that you know in the school. Find out if they're willing to volunteer some time and what they'd like to do. Have a volunteer sign-up sheet at your school's open house, and have people sign up for specific tasks. Have volunteer flyers prepared to go home for early events, such as fall fundraisers and school pictures. Make sure you contact these people.
Get to know as many teachers as possible. If possible, have at least one teacher on your Executive Board. Work hard to develop a good relationship with these people. Remember their first responsibility is to teach the kids, and show your appreciation for any after hours time they give to the PTO. Yes, it's in their interest to help the PTO, but they have families and lives of their own.
Speaking of good relationships - you need one with your prinicipal. Our prinicipal is part of our executive board and we have an excellent relationship.
Read this board, frequently. Everyone here has gone through what you're about to go through, and they're willing to offer advice. This site is a great resource if you want to find out about fundraisers or how to deal with problem members or staff members.
I'm going to repeat what I first said - remember you can't do it all. If you're like me, you have a million great ideas for improving the PTO and helping the kids. But, if you try to do it all yourself you'll burn out. If you aren't getting the number of volunteers you need, don't be afraid to scale back.
Good luck - it's a lot hard work, but it's a lot of fun. There's nothing like walking down the hall and having kids you sort of recognize greet you by name. The kids really appreciate your efforts.
Hi everyone, I somehow managed to get suckered into being pta pres next year (pretty much no-one wanted to do it). I have never done this before, my daughter just finished kindergarten this year. I'm not even sure how to phrase the questions I want to ask. :> ) What I would like to be able to do is make the pta visible and let people know what it does and that it isn't all about fundraising, etc..... How do I get people to volunteer for things, and how do I make sure people know about the events? Last year there was very little communication and I really have no idea what happened. I have some ideas about what I would like to do, (like having an up to date website, a good monthly newsletter, cookbooks instead of chocolates.... :> )) How do you guys do it? (I think that would be my basic question right there!) Thanks for any suggestions, advice, etc. maggie
