It sounds good in theory, Angela, but the hard, cold fact is that people who attend meetings end up doing the bulk of the work. One of the reasons that is, sadly, is because it is harder to say NO in person, than say, over the phone. I did find a way to include everyone, especially the folks at home, who for whatever reason would not or could not attend meetings. Babysitting, snacks, door prizes, etc., are provided as incentives to attend, courtesies you might say, but are by no means only for those who "need or want to attend" as you put it. Personal Thank You notes go home (I have been an advocate for these little notes since my very first PTVO Meeting), the usual incentives (mentioned above), end of the year blow out (at my own expense) for adults only are intended for everyone, and they attract a much larger voluteer base than anything I could or would have "wished" for.

On the other hand, I wish you luck in your endeavor because without new ideas being tried all the time, none of us would have our Tried and Trues. They were once just "Theories" and personal goals too.

Thing is, Angela, you have to be careful not to slam the "Tried and True" that works for others, for so many others I might add. If it doesn't work for you, if you have better, newer, fresher, ideas, that's cool, and we want you to share how it works out when put into use, but please take care how you address what works for so many of the rest of us. Sometimes, it does just take a flyer going home to get it started! The trick is to figure out what to put into the flyer...

[ 07-16-2002: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]</p>

Some food for thought on the members at meetings....do we really need more people at meetings, or do we just need more help with activities, more brains to pick with fresh ideas,etc..., the post that had the "wiifm" is on to something, everyone is so busy and have so many challenges in day to day life that the thought of going to the school and sitting at a meeting is just not appealing to anyone. i am on the board and it doesnt do much for me, but, just n bcuz they dont show up for meetings doesnt mean they arent interested in helping in the childs school. our past board took low meeting attendance to mean low interest. it takes more personal contact than a flyer sent home to get people active. and people need to know their involement means somoething, not so much to you or the pto, but to their own child and family. door prizes, food, all of that make the meetings fun for those of us who need and want to attend, we do all of that too, but, as board members i think our #1 job is to reach out in a personal way to the famililies and invilte them to be involved for the benefit of themselves and their children. this will be my challenge to myself and this years board, then meeting attendance i think will go up all on its own!!!! Have a great day all! [img]smile.gif[/img]

I am also a new president this year. I have already thought about door prizes for each meeting but I am also going to keep track of attendance of each volunteer and teacher so that at the end of the year I would like to give a substantial prize. If anyone has done this before please tell me if this has worked for you. This year we also might be charging more for events if you did not buy a PTA membership card.

Suzanne,
I also am a new co-chair in CT. I was wondering if you had found any state PTO site. I haven't been able to find much about anything in Connecticut, including fundraising or grant ideas. I wanted to thank you for posting this in the first place, it has given me,as well as others, a great chance to hear from the old pros.

Funny story time - when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade the PTO/PTA did this at each meeting, though the prize was $50 cash. I am one of 4 kids and we had all decided that if any of our names were called we would split the money - each getting $12.50. Well - one of us won, my parents came home and said are you all sure you want to share and we did. Then one of my brothers asked which of us had one and it was me - I immediately renegged, demanding all the $$. Well, my parents for some reason gave me the money. Two years ago I wrote each of my 3 brothers a check for $12.50 plus 5% interest compounded since that time because I was still carrying the guilt. Not trying to tell you NOT to do this - I am just still clearing my conscience, I guess.

One more comment to make about getting more attendance at meetings. At each meeting, parents that attended, entered their child into a drawing for a $50 savings bond. When a childs name was drawn, at the end of the meeting, if that childs parents were (still) there, that child received the savings bond. That did help a little with the attendance. Just a thought. :eek: