Hi,
Last year we only had teachers at meetings where their classes preformed. We also gave each class $30 to spend. This year we are not doing that as we had some teachers not spend their money. We are instead giving $25.00 to the teacher that has the most at meetings (that teacher has to be a paid member, dues are $3.00)and a class party. We are giving them $25.00 to the one class, per grade level, that have the most to join and a party. We are also running 2 box tops and tyson a+ contest, (one from sept-Dec and the other from Jan-May) with $$$ to the teacher, a party for the winning class and a nice prize to the overall student winner. We are planning to give teachers that help at any of our events a chance to win $$$ or something they would like for their class. We are going to try door prizes at meetings also. We had food but we took home more than we sold. The other members wouldn't let the snacks be free. Our Principal is a bit more in our corner this year. It was a hard battle last year to get everyone to turn around in their attitude of PTO. We busted our rears. But, several feel that we "kissed-up" to much and spoiled the teachers and that the teachers need to give and work with us, not just receive everything they ask for. So we're taking a slightly different approach. Basically they will have to work some for what they want. We are going to show our vlounteers more that they are appreciated to. We're adding a Doughnuts for Room Parents, and a volunteer appreciation week. We will still feed the teachers at parent/teacher conferences, and do the teacher/secretary/principal/nurse appreciation. Also, at our open house membership drive we make up a basket, approx. $30.00 donated items school supplies and something for the adults, that we draw for from the names of those that join that day. We will probably also draw for a few free raffle tickets for our Wal-Mart gift certificate raffle.
We had the same problem at our last meeting even the principal cancelled on coming. Staff is so busy and sometimes they think us PTO are just busy boddies. We ended the year with a great teacher appreciation lunch, with great gifts. I wanted to start the year off with some nice gesture to the teachers. But the other board members thought we do enough that they should be giving us lunch!! Hopeing they support us more this year!
The problem isn't new - how do you get school staff not only to meetings, but to events. This past year was the first year in some time that we finally got one teacher to come to our monthly meetings. Other than the principal, no staff was even showing up at events.
It has been suggested that we come up with some type of incentive to not only get staff there, but to get staff to encourage parents to show up.
One suggestion was to have a prize go to the teacher that has the most parents show up at the monthly meeting. (Our biggest meeting this year was a total of 11 people; it's usually 8).
Another, was to only give the annual $30 teacher/classroom fund to the teachers that show up to at least one event.
Are there any other ideas out there? It sounds kind of hard nosed to me, but we are desperate and things must change.
