I am a new pres.for this year don't know what I am doing ,our last pres. didn't do anything everything got caneclled and she blamed it all on someone else. She did not take any responsibility at all. So the teachers asked me to run for pres. so i did and beat her the first time. Then someone vote didn't count because they didn't sign their absentee ballot,so we had an other one and I beat her again.I hope we all can get together and make this year better for the kids. I am so glad i found this site.

Just a note: Because of this forum, for the first time we sent a survey home at the end of this last school year. Oh wow, it was full of good information: We ask the same sort of questions as JHB. What it really showed us was the areas that we were not communicating well for example: Should we continue wrapping paper sales? A lot of the answers were like.. Only if we make a lot of money (We have 550 kids and we make an average of 19,000 with little or not effort) mental note...first newsletter make sure people know this! (although it was published in the newsletter last year!!) But they came up with a lot of new ideas for our fall festival and spring dance! In other words send it home, read them with an open and not defensive mind!

Our end-of-year survey provides invaluable information to help us in planning and give the parents a chance to be heard. It asks the parents to prioritize interest in supporting programs on a 5 (important) to 1 (unimportant)scale:

Art Programs
General Educational Program Supplements
Math
Physical Activities/Sports
Reading Programs
School Facilities & Playgrounds
School Spirit
Science
Technology
Theatre Arts

We also ask about the value of the newsletter.

Then we have questions pertinent to the specific year.

Our group only holds 2 general meetings per year, relying on a large Executive Board to manage PTO business. Last year, we asked if the parents wanted this to change. (Receieved an overwhelming vote to leave as is!) We were also looking at whether the group wanted to continue with family night (bingo, silent auction, sock hop) or go back to a carnival as the Spring event.

This year we asked if parents would be interested in the PTO selling school supply kits.

Sometimes we have generic, open ended questions:

What could the PTO do to encourage more parent volunteers for school activities and programs?

In your opinion, what are the strengths and benefits of {name} PTO?

In your opinion, in what areas could the PTO do a better job/what should be done differently?

We keep the form on one page, but people can write extra comments on the back. It's been very helpful.

I, also, am new to the PTO. I have been cruising around on this site for weeks, getting TONS of great ideas. Now, if I could just get them in order and meet with the rest of the board. We are going to try for August. I was lucky enough to "inherit" the old co-chair's large notebook. She says that I can call her anytime. I just need to organize all of my hundreds of wuestions for her! I was wondering about the survey mentioned. What other questions do you include on it? It is a great idea. The past board has come a long way from where they were just told "Congrats! You are the new board." But I would love to see the PTO continually improve! So, what other kinds of questions do you ask, without opening yourself wide open? Thanks!

Just one more suggestion to add to the great ones posted...My first year as President, the board got together a couple times over the summer to discuss just about everything. We spent that time creating our budget, and really getting to know each other(and some alone time without the kids). It was a great thing to do and once school started we were all on the same page and ready to go. We have found that tackling all the big stuff before school starts helps tremendously, it is awful being overwhelmed that hectic time of the year. I also include all of the board members in everything we do...we work great as a team. Good luck on your first year...You'll do great

I am a newly elected PTO President as well. I asked our last president if he had anything for me. He said no, just a copy of the By-laws and gave me the stack of information to file with the IRS for tax exemption status. Fortunately, I was on the board last year so I have some history. It has made it a bit easier for me. We are having our first meeting as a new board next week. I have an agenda typed up - with lots of stuff on it as we are in the beginning of budgeting. I don't want to spend a lot of time going around in circles. I am working hard to keep a great relationship going with staff and the principal. They can make your life awful if you don't get along. Politics is not a dirty word!

Our last president did a good job. I am simply anal and want folks turning up to meetings well prepared. Also, I know exactly what needs to be discussed at the meeting. Everyone will have some time to think about the issues at hand and come prepared to discuss them. They will either hate me or love me. We will see.