I just sent out "we've missed you" postcards to every card carrying member of PTA that hasn't been to a meeting lately. This list included teachers that have paid dues but have never attended. I don't know if they are going to show but the head teacher sent us a letter explaining why she hasn't been able to attend and telling us how she supports us in other ways (she's right-they are supportive but don't go to meetings). I'm thinking of asking some to give quick presentations at our meetings next year on maybe phonics, they're doing a new math next year etc. This gets them involved in meetings and gets info out to parents.

I have just thought about this, so it needs fleshing out. I don't know how well it will go over, but I think it would be cool when we have PTA meetings to ask parents to bring a simple, inexpensive donation - glue stick, glue bottle, scissor, stapler, etc, - that can be put into a box and then raffled off to any teachers that are present at the meetings. Or maybe put into a closed box with a hole in it so teachers can reach in like a grab bag and pull out a surprise. Make it a fun event so the parents can see how appreciative the teachers are and the kids can see their teachers being silly.

Or something like that.

[ 05-08-2003: Message edited by: Hyway ]</p>

I am thinking about including a coupon at the bottom of a teacher survey for a $25 gift card (or whatever our PTA can afford)to be distributed at the beginning of the year. The coupon can be redeemed upon completion and submittal of the form. Also, on the form I will post a plea that they join the PTA but not make it a requirement for redemption of the coupon.

Does anyone have any interesting ideas on how to get the teachers more involved in their PTO?

Currently our PTO gives the teachers $150 at the beginning of the year to spend on their classrooms. The PTO Executive Board is considering lowering the start-up allotment at the beginning of the year and then paying the teachers $25(either cash or gift card from a teaching store) each time they attend a PTO meeting or volunteer at a PTO function.

One neat idea I read about was to ask each teacher to collect items (from their classroom students) for a themed basket to have as a raffle or auction for a carnival, bingo night, etc. and then the classroom who donated the basket would get to keep the proceeds for the basket they donated.

Any other ideas? [img]smile.gif[/img]