Thanks to everyone for their input. I guess I was having a pessimistic day. The teachers may surprise me and be very excited. Our meeting is next week...we will see.
I agree with mykidsmom, just post up something for them to sign-up with and to contact you via e-mail if possible. That's what we do. It seems to go great. The principal also announces as well in her staff meeting. I never remind them what we've done for them they already know. And I as well have seen the same flame as "mykidsmom"
What has worked for us in the past is to post a notice in the teachers lounge to let them know their help is needed along with an idea of how much time would be needed from they--a huge issue!
It is also mentioned by the Principal at the morning staff meeting that the PTO would love their help. We give an e-mail address for them to contact us at rather than a phone number- you could even do both if you want!
Many stay away because of the 'politics'; fear of a parent approaching them; the long meetings; and I have even been told 'I didn't know I was a member!' (My thought was 'thanks for listening to my welcome during your meeting')
Anyway, I hope this helps and I wish you luck! Oh one more thing, please don't remind them of what you have done for them, just ask if they can help you with this. Quilt doesn't work here, trust me!! I've seen it bad fire big time!!
I wish I had an answer for you regarding teacher involvement but our school faces the same problem. It seems as if the PTO does all the work and while the students and teachers benefit, I feel that the teachers could be involved more, such as coming to PTO meetings. We (as a PTO) have begun to work on 5th grade camp and not one of the fifth grade teachers has offered to help organize or get their parents to help out. The PTO usually helps with this but has never been "in charge", only with the money part. Any ideas on how we can get more help. I know they have a lot to do but we sometimes wonder if we're being too intrusive on their "time".
Each Fall we host a festival with each classrooom or special area teacher(art, PE..) hosting a booth. A PTO parent does all the arranging, recruiting. The teacher can "pick" the booth theme, help send home notices from the room parent. All we ask is that the teacher show up on festival day (a Sat.) Some get really involved, most just hang out. We just promise them equal cuts in all profits from that day if they show up (and we do check). This is the only opportunity for them to be guaranteed money in their budgets from PTO each year. As a PTO we "match" or "round up" each teachers' cut as able, never announced ahead of time. In the past three years the teachers' take had doubled each year. I wanted to give $ up front at the beginning of the year, but we just couldn't afford it, plus this does encourage involvement.
How do you get teachers involved in PTO activities. Our PTO wants to put on a Spring Carnival (the first one in several years). As a few of us were brainstorming for ideas, there were some things we thought would be appropriate for the teachers to take care of. How do you go about assigning/recruiting teachers to do these tasks. From our past meetings, I can say that our teachers are not interested in what the PTO is doing...ie we barely get one teacher to come to the meetings. So, how can we plan these things without teacher involvement?
Let me just blow off some steam...We give the teachers $400 every year for class room extras. We do teacher appreciation every month. We cook them dinner when they have to stay late for conferences. We supply them with money for special events/items they would like. I feel like we are doing our part, why can't they?
Ok, I am off my soap box. Does anyone else have them same problems?
