We are combining elementary schools in our community in an effort to save money. Our school will go from 250 students to 470 this fall. I was just reelected as President and I must tell you I think I have my work cut out for me. I already dealt with issues this past school year where parents made snide comments about the "other" school. This came from both sides and I was just really disgusted with some parents. I have made it very clear that we will all work together and I won't tolerate the "we" "they" comments. We invited the parents from the school that will be joining us to all of our meetings last year and to be involved in our spring carnival. It broke down some of the barriers but it's far from over. I made sure to send the last newsletter to ALL the parents and tell them about nominations and elections. One parent from the other school came forward to be on the board. Then one of my friends told me she had a parent from the other school tell her that she heard that "we" will be running the school still because "we" didn't put any of their parents on the board. She was of course very wrong. I'm sure there will be lots more comments like that made. I'm working on my smile and my "invite them to come on board" speech for this fall. It should be really interesting!!
Pati,
I can tell you from experience that when I went around and stuck my hand for a hand shake to people and told them who I was. It's like shield went down between them and the PTO. I guess everyone is different if your a little shy, just walk up and tell them who you are and that you look forward to working with them and hope that they jump in when help is needed. We also have a diverse school as well.
Our school is also financially diverse and I too would like to make everyone feel welcome. I never went around introducing myself to people because I didn't want anyone to think I was doing it to brag or announce to the world that I am the president of the PTO!! Maybe I shouldn't think of it that way. I might be coming off to everyone as being stuck up. Thanks for your post.
I'm into my 2nd year as President...was VP for a year as well, I found that the first year with a new board after a very "clickish" long standing board was basically a wash. The former board slammed us at every meeting so many newcomers didn't come back... but after plugging along this year none of the "grumpy" group comes to the meetings and we have a whole new set of parents. I am the only one on the board who has been there for years though (oldest just went to middle school and middle son is in first grade) so I'm at an advantage of knowing two "sets" of parents.
I agree that communication is the biggest assest we have I set up a pto email system where I asked people for their email and keep them up to date. This is especially helpful for newcomers because it is much easier to write email at first than jump right in. I send emails just for fun to them as well...so they feel like they know me before they actually meet me.
We experienced the same thing- the old board and previous boards were a clique--We were a brand new board..the 1st thing I did as President was to send home a letter invitibg eveyone to particpate in our PTa. I provided my phone# and email in this flyer--Everything that goes home from our PTA has the chairpersons phone# and my phone# on it. nd biggest thing you could do- Smile and talk with everyone you see--When i see parents waiing in the lobby for pick up i don't just go and talk or say hello to the ones I know I say hello and smile to the ones I don't know. I always introduce myself at events to people I do not know i shake their hands and talk with them..REMEMBER ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THEN WORDS**
The next thing you have to rmeber is separate yourself from the parents whose primary focus is to spread gossip. I just put it out to my board at a mtg that i do not particpate in gossip. If someone is talking it- I will not comment on it and i will not repeat it and I would appreciate them doing the same.
Next invite people to be involved..When you see a parent often go up and ask if they would like to be involved in a certain committee or if they would like to help out for something, or would they like to go to a training course the PTA offers..Communication verbal and physical are your keys!!
I am taking over as PTO President for the 2002-03 school year. My main goal is getting more parents involved in PTO events and on the board. The school became rated an "A" school this school year (2001-02) but at the same time it is also has been rated as a Title 1 school. So we have a low income population. I have noticed over the years parent involvement in all areas has really slacked off. Unfortunately I feel the board is viewed as a "click" but we are actually very diverse in our social/economic backgrounds. (my husband is a plumbing supervisor) If it wasnt for the same people participating year after year, our PTO probably wouldn't exist. How can I get the message out that we want people from all walks of life and not just the wealthy stay at home moms? We have tried non fundraising ideas such as a Family Fun Day and Family Dinner Nights but to no avail. I know people work but so do I and I find the time... What gives??!!
