Tim,
Thanks for the great article. I too cherished and made copies for all my board members to know the reason that we are involved. It's just not fundraising. The activities sponsored by PTO make you feel good when you see the children enjoying themselves. Doing activities @ school when you know that's the only fun they will have. That's the important thing for me is too see the children smiling and having a good time.
mykidsmom wrote: "Come for lunch or bring them a surprise for lunch. It works for me!" I will never forget a newly divorced dad smiled and said "I think I can handle that, Thank You!"
Your reply was super and so was his response! I can just picture a few dads that I know respond in just this same manner! Kids love it when dads come eat with them and their friends and the humor that many dads bring to the table just puts smiles on the kids all around!
I recall one teacher that always knew when a particular dad had been at the lunch table - the kids just couldn't stop talking about him when they came back from lunch recess. She always joked with him about not being able to handle the kids following his visit, but she and he really knew how much it meant to his child and the others as well.
We need more dads to break for lunch and come eat with the kiddos!
great article! I made copies of it for our entire board, as I think they need to be reminded sometimes that we aren't just doing this for fundraising.
Moreover, I really appreciate your positive tone; often I find myself kneedeep in negativity, especially when I feel overwhelmed. That just works against our organization; who the heck wants to join up with a bunch of whiners? Its important to keep up a positive front and remember that is the reality we are trying to create, those are the people we want to help us, and that is the future we want for our children. Thanks!!!!!
I wish I had this article a year ago when I started my term in office. So much of the article matches my experience. If I had to do it all over again I would definitely reach out more and sell the value of belonging to our group. I often made the mistake of begging and pleading for help, as if people would be doing me a favor. I already printed this for our current prez.
Hi Tim!! The article (that I've read so far..4 kids at so much laundry!)is really great and I am showing it to my Principal. She ends all her talks with parents by asking them to read to their children 20 minutes every night. When I'm asked "How can I be more involved in my child's school?" I reply "Come for lunch or bring them a surprise for lunch. It works for me!" I will never forget a newly divorced dad smiled and said "I think I can handle that, Thank You!"
