hi what I have tried to do this past year was something that they wouldn't expect. At one meeting I had just read the FISH (fresh Ideas Start here) book which is about boosting morale, stuff like that. So I got a piece of blue poster board , took index cards and labeled them with a sea piece(fish,sand,seashells, bubbles,sea horse,etc.) They had to draw what was on the card they pulled and half way through themeeting while a report was given I left the area and glued it all together to make one picture. at the end I talked about how we are each one piece but together we make a beautiful picture!! They loved it! I have also had them do paper quilt squares and had all pto volunteers do it and I made a huge paper quilt that our princpal hung in the lobby to show TEAMWORK. I always try to plan something and parents show up not knowing what to expect and die laughing most of the time.We have also done a alphabet game and that they draw a letter and have to use one word to descripe the group!! I am planning on this year doing a question form that during the meeting we have a break and during the break you have to find someone who answers taht question(ex. more than five kids in thier family, can name all the beatles, has lived in a different state,etc.)Im also learning balloon art to do something with! The parents love it and they laugh so much that it really does break the ice..of course they think im nuts at times!!Sorry this is so long but I hope I have inspired you!! Our group is not quite two years old but new approaches like this is what is making it grow and grow!!
With small groups, you can have each person introduce themselves and answer some colorful question (e.g. where did you go to school? what is your favorite food?). Or have people pair off and talk for a few minutes, and then each person has to introduce their partner by telling their name and some fact that most people don't know about them.
When you get up to 50 people or so, "Get-Acquainted-Bingo" becomes a better option. Give each person an identical Bingo card, but instead of having numbers each square requires the name of a person present who matches some fact. You can only sign one square on a players card, and offer a prize to the first person who fills their entire card. Have some squares that just about anybody can fill, like "lived in this state all my life" and "born in a different state" (few folks can't fill one or the other). Have one or two odd ones, like "own a working 8-track tape player". When somebody calls winner, have them read off the names and each person must stand up -- then you can ask them a question, such as "what state were you born in?" or "WHY do you still have an 8-track tape player?"
Larger groups are better served with an ice-breaking activity. At the back-to-school night PTA meeting when we absorbed 80% of the student body of a neighboring school that had closed, I asked people to stand in groups (and remain standing). First I called for those who didn't have a child in elementary last year, and welcomed them to the adventure. Then those who didn't have a child in our school district last year, and welcomed them to the area. Next those who were not at our school last year, and welcomed them to our family. Finally those who were returning, and welcomed them back. Lastly, I asked everybody with a child at our school THIS year to sit down, and made a comment about how we may have arrived by different routes but we were now all in this as one community together.
Hi. I will be President this upcoming year. I have been very involved in PTO the past 2 years and have tried to sit back and listen to different comments others have made so that I can make some improvements. One comment that you always here is that our PTO Board is very "cliquish" As the new President and also expecting some new members I would like to start this year off on the right foot. Do any of you have any ideas for breaking the ice at our first meeting? I would like to play a little game or something that EVERYONE would be involved in to ease everyone into the new year. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
