I remember the first meeting I ran last year. I was a nervous wreck. Luckily, the pres. before me had always followed an agenda. That is the first thing I did. And I sent out a copy of the agenda about a week before the meeting for everyone to review and let me know if there were additions ahead of time. My agenda includes: Member attendance, treasurer's report, minutes from previous meeting approval, Scheduled Business ( this is a breakdown of every chairpship report), President's report (that was my new addition since I always had a new idea to share), teacher rep. reports and finally principal's report. I really act as a facilitator and then just follow along during the reports. The first 2 or 3 meetings were nerve wracking, but now that I am on my 2nd year, it really is the least of my worries. My biggest problem now is giving a speech to the parents at the Kindergarten Open House each fall! Ugh! It truly does get easier! Just focus on the fact that you are doing this for the children.

First off, our board meets the week before for about an hour to discuss what we are going to talk about, how the board stands on certain issues, what kind of snacks to have,who gets the door prizes that month, who will bring certain forms(sign in sheets,joke, agenda), etc.
At the meeting, have an agenda and stick to it. Don't let it get out of hand, bang your gavel (we have a meat tenderizer and block of wood) to get them back on the subject. Talk loud so everyone can hear you. This helps to show them you are in control of the situation. Be positive, laugh at yourself if you make a mistake, and be strong. When you go home you can fall apart! and you will. Our motto - Feed them and they will come. Have snacks, drinks and chocolate!
Good Luck - it will get easier.

I've been trying to prepare for tonights meeting all summer. I'm the new pto prez and am scared to death! I've attempted to meet with the other officers but our schedules have not allowed for that. They are planning on meeting only 30 minutes before our FIRST meeting which is tonight!!! How do you conduct your first PTO meeting? Our turnout in the past has been pathetic and I've heard that there are going to be A LOT of parents there tonight to kind of test me. I have a feeling that this meeting is gonna make or break our volunteer pool. How can I conduct this meeting properly and get these parents back into volunteering.... (a lot of them dropped out of the volunteer circle due to the last PTO board) What issues do I cover??? Please help.... sorry for the short notice!