I will begin by saying that I've never received any awards for tact. That said, here is what I have done, not only for school events, but for Scouting, Sports, Church, etc., anything where you are dealing with other peoples children and end up as the babysitter:
First thing I tell EVERYONE that I am not a babysitter and that if I were, my children will attest to the fact that I treat all children the same...and sometimes that means disciplining them and I am not afraid to do so. I tell them that if they can not give their children the same time I do, that they can leave right now. I tell them that I expect them to attend at least every other meeting and that everyone is expected to either chair or serve on a committee. I realize that this all sounds harsh, but I've found that if I put MY expectations right up front, that people actually get on board because they don't want any one to think that they don't care or don't have enough time for their kids. One suggestion I have made before and I will make again, is to use CO-CHAIRS. I find that people are much more willing to do stuff if they are not the only ones being held accountable. I assign our PTVO Officers to oversee committees. This involves helping them get started and helping them to elect CO-CHAIRMEN. Make it sound like a social event ("Tea at Suzie's to discuss Teacher Appreciation Week" or maybe "Kegger at Donna's to work on staff Christmas gifts"...lol) and put it in your monthly newsletter. Remember, these folks are followers. If they were leaders they would be trying to figure out how to make YOU come. Put their shoes on and figure out what it would take to get you to come to one of their meetings and commit yourself to stuff.... Good Luck!
Elizabeth Metz
Kingman, Arizona This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. :eek:
I am the PTO Director for a really wonderful campus. I have the support of the principals, the staff and the teachers. I have been the director for 2 years now and now have two handfuls of parents to help. Sounds good right? Well the handful of parents will not commit to being a chairperson or take on any kind of project. They are all willing to donate their time and provide needed items, but no commitment is coming forth on really important issuance. I have scheduled planning meetings on the first Monday of every month at two different times to encourage input and interest - one at 3:30 and one at 5:30. I expressed my intent of keeping these meetings to 30 minutes due to their busy schedules. Am I missing something? Does anyone else have this problem?
Also, the school district is a very transient district. We have a 2-year technical college campus in our district where the students may be there for a year and then move on. They are young and just starting out with kids which makes it very difficult for them. We also have alot of rent property in our district so people come and go. The problem is many of the parents just don't care one way or the other about their kids or their kids' schooling. Many use our events as drop off babysitting and expect the school to raise their kids for them. How do we reach these people and show them the importance of caring and being involved? It is so frustrating for me and for the staff. (Not to mention their children.) How do we reach them? The politicians say Texas will not have any 2nd rate schools. How can that be when there are parents out there like this? Do any of you have this problem?
