Hi all [img]smile.gif[/img]

I am new here & I just wanted to thank everyone for their down to earth, no hold bar responses. It is nice to see so many dedicated people acting like people and getting along..while at the same time showing views.

I came here in search of help for one of our schools. I have 4 kids, 11, 8, 6, 5 . I am a single mom and 3 of my 4 kids have learning disabilities such as Autism and ADHD. Yet, I STILL find the time to give countless hours to 2 schools.

Hopefully, we will be able to turn around the two schools I am at now. I am helping because of their cries that no one is helping with anything.

Thank you again for being human, meaning, I see you all have good senses of humor, not alot of cries on offenses, etc. And thank you for taking the time to write so much.

I will be doing alot of reading. lol [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thank you [img]smile.gif[/img]

Saphrael, I'm sorry you weren't made to feel welcome in your PTO. Perhaps that's just the reason to JOIN...You can make it better. $20? That's alot. We are a PTA and our dues is $5. Perhaps yours is more, so that you don't have to do a MAJOR fundraiser? But I"m only guessing. Yes, I would like to know what your PTO does with the dues? Its probably not a big deal--but you have the right to know when you join. Why don't you go to the next meeting and bring that up.

Our dues is just added to our budget, and we do lots of things with our money. We have Family Fun Nights, we buy the teachers extra that the school district couldnt afford (more reading books, computer software, etc). Last year we spent $10k on landscaping for our new school. We got like 12 (4" dia) trees to help shade the playground. We also added picnic tables to the playground and benches to the front of the school for the parents to sit on while they wait for their kids.

Like I said, go to a meeting and give them your thoughts. If that doesnt work for you, then find her email address and write to her and the principal both.

Good luck!
Lisa @ Tx

I've read where some schools have 2 meetings. One during the day for SAHM, and one in the evening for the working parents. OR you can do a survey, asking for best time/day and say majority rules! When these people don't show up, call them and put them on the spot. "We tried to accomodate you and the 50 others, yet you didn't show up." Kinda tacky, but hey! Whatever works!

Good luck!
Lisa @ Tx

Greetings! Am new to the site, but a veteran at various school/community/sports/charitable orgs. The news is old: 10% of the people do 90% of the work. Anyway, need help here: We were blasted recently for not scheduling evening meetings for working parents. Problem: When we do,they don't show up anyway. We have to pay custodians overtime,most faculty don't live locally,are reluctant to hang out into the evening. I'm starting to resent the demands and expectations of some parents. Should those of us who "don't work" (!!?!!?!!?)accommodate those who do? How about taking a few hours off once a month to devote to your kid's welfare and make the meeting?! Feel much better now.

I'm in charge of Speakers at my school. FYI, I have gotten most for FREEEEE ! I had a professor talk about Crisis Support (death/divorce); and will have a former SWAT team instructor talk about Keeping your Child Safe. Both of these are free. The one tonight (Guide to Woman's Safety) is gonna cost me $100. I've got one coming next Jan for $50 who will talk about Organization. I have contacted local universities (try their outreach dept or child center), hospitals (outreach/community involvement dept) and did a net search under "Outreach -city-" Got many city and county organizations who come for free. Try your local health dept. The only investment we make is the refreshments. We have opted to offer 2 door prizes per program. The majority (if not all) of these prizes were donated by local businesses. Free hair cuts, dinners, oil changes, etc.) This will also entice more people to come! Oh, and offer child care (Ask your local high school for volunteers. Sometimes they need community service hours.) Also contact your local fire and police dept for "child safety" topics.

Hope some of this helps.
Lisa @ Tx

My children attend a private school, and our enrollment dropped severly in the last couple years. We now only have 80 students, however, we have a strong PTO. After reading this thread, I have to wonder if our attendance and strength comes from the fact that our school is private and we have chosen to pay for their education and in return that motivates people to be more involved because they want their money's worth? I would love to hear feed back on this.

Although we have a strong PTO, we do face the same challenges with parent involvement at the meetings. I can predict every month who will be there! =) One of our goals we are trying to accomplish is monthly speakers. This has been VERY effective. We try to keep the speakers topics varied, as to draw different people. This has been one of the most interesting and inviting ideas we have tried. I encourage all of you to try it. We battled over the money needed to pay the speakers, however, we see this as an investment. An investment that is reaping rewards. I have been enriched personally by our speakers as well as seeing our monthly attendance rise.

Our school also participates in SCRIPS. At our meetings, we have a drawing from all of those who have bought SCRIPS for that month for a $10 SCRIP of their choice, however, if that person is in attendance, then they win $20! I know this seems like it wouldnt be a big deal, but it has turned out to be something BIG. hehehe.

I know it can be frustrating, but I encourage everyone to keep up the great work. As sooooooo many of you said, we are doing this for the children. I love being known as the PTO LADY too! =)))) I feel good knowing, that I made a difference. All of you are making ENORMOUS differences and are being examples of positive, active parents! We all love those new, kindergarten moms who come to events and meetings excited. Try to focus on the people who do help and are as willing to help as you are. Try not to let the difficult situtions get you down.
(Boy, did i get on a soap box or what..hehe)

Oh..one more thing. Our school and many other private schools all have MANDATORY volunteer hours. Our schools policy is 35 hours a year or $150 if you do not meet that requirement. I know it would be very hard to have public schools make this mandantory, but how could we use this idea? What about incentives, such as gift certificates if you reach a certain level of hours? You could ask for donations of certificates from local business? Have volunteer awards, volunteer of the year, semester, credit people with a certificate and maybe a little treat (chocolates) for a great idea. Be sure to have a special thank you section in your newsletter or "friday folder" about volunteers. If you do the rewards for different levels of hours, I would create a big poster/s and have them hanging somewhere visable. Nothing like a little fun competition? =) And one last thing, we had a grandparents day about a month ago. IT WAS AN ENORMOUS SUCCESS. We had over 100 grandparents there. We had snacks, a craft and they kids, parents and teachers had a wonderful time sharing our school with important people in our children's lives. Our goals were simple, we wanted to have a special day for our grandparents. What we didnt know is...we now have a new list of volunteers. Once they came to our school, met people and saw for themselves how much we all love our school and want to support it, they came on board too. If anyone would like more info, feel free to e mail me. It was a blessing for us!

Okay, I am going to stop now before they charge me for the space I used...hehehe.

Good Luck everyone!
Keep up the GREAT work!
Let's do it for the kids!
Audra =)

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.