We are going to try something new this year. We are putting together classified ads listing all the committees and charipersons positions for next year. So far we have filled 1-1/2 pages. Not all the ads are for big jobs but we hope to let everyone know that we need lots of help and even a small amount of time and energy can help with an activity. We are adding lots of little tidbits about how research shows that children who have parents that participate in their school, at all levels, do better. (A little guilt to get them to keep reading) I will let you know what happens after it comes out in May. We will probably send it out again at the beginning the next school year.

here are some ideas that i am going to propose for our next year drive to attract people.

1. i am going to contact the other schools and see if they would be interested in running a ad in our local paper when the school information comes out. in this ad we will post our first meeting, names and phone numbers of someone they can call, motto. etc.

2. along with this we hope to have what is called
a silent partner for those who like to work from
home, they will be put on a list with things they
like to do such as baking, making phone calls, counting box tops, or whatever they specialty is.

i truly believe that people want to help but most feel that can not do anything, but allowing them
to state what they can do or will help with lets them be apart of helping children.

but also listen to all ideas from all parents that
attend meetings and be opening minded, try to make
they contribution work is some way. most feel they
are not listened to and stop attending, they want
to feel they are making a difference and this will also incourage others to speak out in meetings and to parents they know, it might such
create more people attended.

Dry....meetings that are dry--that is what drives people away. You can have fun and accomplish a lot at the same time. I usually end our meetings with a nice, "deep" poem or quick story and a joke or something light and funny. We laugh, we create,we plan, we succeed, and we have fun. We still abide by an agenda, a strict start-at-7-end-at-8 policy (which people really appreciate!), we motion- 2nd and all in favor/oppose and other Robert's Rules of Order (Sec. report, Treas. report, committee reports, etc.) But I want people to leave our meetings feeling good, that we accomplished something.
We also offer baby-sitting, door prizes and refreshments.
Themes seemed to have helped us too. We have an annual membership drive that has a theme that runs through the year. This year was "PTO- Parent Involvement Connects". We used puzzle pieces for everything- meeting reminder slips, newsletters, even put the #'s on puzzle pieces to do the door prize drawings. I will be giving the officers picture frames made out of puzzle pieces at the end of the year- to thank them for being a piece of the puzzle, the big picture of supporting our school.
Our volunteer appreciation dinner at the end of the year always has a theme. That generates big excitement....
Creating a sense of comraderie amongst your members goes a long way. These people might not be friends outside of school, but at PTO and our events, they work alongside each other like they were old buddies.
The President, I feel, sets the tone..... as ring master it's up to him/her to keep things moving along, but to also make sure everyone feels welcome and needed.
People talk, and the more positive experiences you give them to talk about, the more they will talk and encourage others to get involved.
Oh, one big thing that worked for us was when we implemented a Parent Volunteer Program. It's for those parents that can't/won't come to meetings, but still want to help. They fill out a form at the beginning of the year and they are put on a call list that is given to event chairpeople. Then when they are needed, and if their schedule allows they are given a job to do. Our parents love the flexibility and no pressure.
Just so you know that I speak from experience,,,,,when I took over as Pres. we had barely 10 at a meeting. Four years later I'm proud to say that we average 25 or more at our monthly meetings!! Here's a "shout" to them... Way to go!!!

[ 03-05-2002: Message edited by: berneunionpto ]</p>

I too am a president. I too have been fighting the "ATTENDANCE BATTLE" and I have found that attendance at the meetings is not required! You board members were voted in to "run" the PTO. I gave you the right to "vote" for me when I voted you into office. If I am unhappy with the way things are going then I can run off at the mouth all I want, but until I run for office and am willing to accept that responsability I don't have a dog in the fight!
The attendance is needed at the special events that the organiztion puts on. That is where the objectives are being met, when we bring our student together with their Parents and Teachers at our school. This is where your child "lives" for eight hours a day, it is important for you the parent to see where they eat, play, and study. It is equally important for the teacher to see the parent interact with the student as well as the parent see how the teacher interacts with the student. After all these are the people who are taking care of our children all day. We need to let them know that they are appreciated and that we are interested in what is going on in their lives.

I too am a president. I too have been fighting the "ATTENDANCE BATTLE" and I have found that attendance at the meetings is not required! You board members were voted in to "run" the PTO. I gave you the right to "vote" for me when I voted you into office. If I am unhappy with the way things are going then I can run off at the mouth all I want, but until I run for office and am willing to accept that responsability I don't have a dog in the fight!
The attendance is needed at the special events that the organiztion puts on. That is where the objectives are being met, when we bring our student together with their Parents and Teachers at our school. This is where your child "lives" for eight hours a day, it is important for you the parent to see where they eat, play, and study. It is equally important for the teacher to see the parent interact with the student as well as the parent see how the teacher interacts with the student. After all these are the people who are taking care of our children all day. We need to let them know that they are appreciated and that we are interested in what is going on in their lives.

Just a few more ideas for you. A few months ago i noticed that the board meeting was not being attended by everyone i called everyone of them two nites before and reminded them and everyone showed up. The following week we had our regular meeting and i had each board member personally invite a parent they knew. Our attendance doubled! I have questioned some of these people as to why they are never come and i got the usual 1) i didn't know anyone that attended 2)i don't know what the meetings were like etc. These new vistiors have turned out to be some of my greatest volunteers. They just needed a personal invitation from someone they knew. Lastly, at our last meeting one of the parents (new visitor) volunteered to enter the email addresses of all the parents, who summited them for our directory. She them will email them our newsletter, list of volunteers when needed, a copy of the treasurer's report, meeting minutes, and to remind them of meetings. We will have to see if that works. email me with any questions This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.