Thanks for all the advice. I guess we have been asking for too much, too soon. I've already suggested one activity. I'll just go with it and see where it takes me. Thanks Again!!
I agree that change takes time.See what little changes you can make this year and build on this. Find some ways to be involved either with your PTO or with your school. This gets your face and name known, and allows people the chance to gradually trust you with responsibility. If your PTO is not receptive a family night. Take another route and talk to your principal or put in a reqest with your school site base committee (try and get throught the back door). On the fip side I am in charge of an event the end of this month. I am purposefully calling new people-people I don't even know and asking them to help out. We need some new blood and their is no better time than the present to find it. [img]smile.gif[/img]
OK...they have fundraisers. Where does the money go?
Have you tried to create your own position? They are easily added. Tell them you would like $100 to have a family fun night. The majority of your supplies/food can be donated. You can offer drinks and desserts (have friends bake cookies), door prizes and rent/borrow a karaoke machine. It will be alot of fun. Tell them you will be in charge, just ask for their cooperation. You can set up a date with the Pres and Principal. Perhaps if you have all your ducks in a row she will be more accepting. Maybe she thinks you are bringing more work on her and the small group.
I know how you feel. When my son started kindergarten 2 yrs. ago my PTO was the same way. They did nothing for the kids only fundraisers. They would not include anyone else. I started by volunteering to take over the Labels for Education and Box Tops programs which they just let sit. In 1 yrs. time I generated double the amount of labels then they had ever collected and volunteered for everything I could, they only wanted volunteers to do the "dirty" work. The following year I was asked by them to be on the board as corresponding secretary. Little by little I was given more responsibles. The parents at our school finally opened their eyes to what our school was missing. Low and be hold I'm this years PTO president and they are all off the board. Since the new board has taken over we make every effort to get parents involved and let them know whats going on by issuing a monthly newsletter and have included alot of family events which are going over very well. We just scheduled a family volley ball night and are working on a kiddy bingo night. Don't be discouraged.. hang in there.. it will happen.. it takes time. Good luck.
"The journey of a thousand miles began with one step."
Your group will not change overnight.
You have great ideas and those ideas are worth fighting for, because increased involvement is so, so valuable. That said, you may have to think in terms of a two or three year plan to make fundamental changes.
Stay involved now. Volunteer for existing events. Network. Educate parents at your school (slowly and tactfully) on the value of involvement. Aim to add one nice event this year and then do your best to make it a smashing success. When it succeeds, deflect praise onto everyone else and then aim for another victory.
HELP!!
We are new parents of a kindergartener and have been to several PTO meetings and everytime we offer new ideas we are shot down. There is no Parent Involvement Committee, actually there are very minimal events held throughout the year. Only 3!!! We would like to have the PTO sponser some family activities at the school, but no one wants to make changes. My feeling is that the school needs to connect with the community. However, the only events that happen are fundraising. Don't get me wrong fundraising is important, but without involvement then how can it be successful. All in all every meeting we have gone to there is only the board members and a handful of parents in attendance. Only one staff member and the principal attends. Making it only 15 people at the meetings. We are very discouraged and upset at the same time. We would love to here any advice.
On the fip side I am in charge of an event the end of this month. I am purposefully calling new people-people I don't even know and asking them to help out. We need some new blood and their is no better time than the present to find it. [img]smile.gif[/img] 