I just put the finishing touches on my "Tim's Turn" column for our October print issue, and let's just say that the theme is very much like your first post. I agree with you -- meeting attendance is the most overrated statistic for PTOs, in my opinion.
Hi..I think for our group the main reason I like to see a high turnout(we averaged 18 last year) is that there are more parents to talk over issues, plan events and just be aware of what is being planned and how.three years our pta exsisted of only about 4 active members who decided everything.Meetings consited of two or three at times!! True you could say that if someone really wanted to be involved they would be, i just find it's easier to plan with more people. Then I also have had really large turnouts(35-40) and find that being too much to handle because there are so many personalties!!We seem to have two parts of our group 1-those who attend meetings and work events and 2-those who work events . they both play a very important role and we couldnt do without the other. for reference it's about 18 that come and then another 16/17 that work events only. Our numbers are really small compared to alot of schools but considering we only ahd about 4/5 three years ago I think it's great!!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
Well I'd like to add my thoughts. Let me start by saying I understand that there are families who are unable to attend. Like myself for the first time in 3 years.
PTO meetings are a great chance for parents to talk to teachers. When they don't come it's a little heartbreaking. Also the board members and staff pour their heart and soul into everything. I would've like to have known I was supported. I would've even been happy if someone would have said "Hey, why don't we do....?". I don't feel that 3 or 4 people should have to make decisions concerning everyone's children. Of course the world will not end due to low attendance, but it sure does make you feel that all you hard free work is worth while, not just by the little people(the children). Plus, sometimes all the griping got to me when all they would had to have done is come to a meeting and bring it up. You can read on this site how important parent involvement is. I've seen first hand what a difference it makes. My 7 and 8 year-old boys were concerned that I couldn't make it to the meetings. I assured them that I would be talking to the board members and finding out about things. I didn't even think they paid attention to everything I've done in the past 2 years. Going to PTO meetings is a great way to be involved. I think I've went on long enough, I'll let someone else have a turn.
For me, it's not so much that the attendance itself is low...it's that the parental involvement is so low. Because it seems for us, unlike what you seem to be describing, that we DON'T have parents volunteering to do tasks but just not showing up for meetings. We don't have the parents period. And I'm not sure how to engage them....although I keep trying.
I read a lot of messages dealing with frustrated board members because of the lack of participation. There's an upset over the fact that very few parents come to the meetings. At one time I felt this way myself, but then I thought to myself, "SELF! Why am I all worked up about this?" I didn't have a good answer. Our PTO is running smoothly, and we have many volunteers who share the workload in putting on many fun family events throughout the year. The fact that they aren't able to attend all the meetings shouldn't really bother me. They come when it's absolutely necessary, but if they can't, we have phones and e-mail! Our main focus is on what we can do for the school and the community, not who comes to all the meetings.
Just my humble opinion - not meant to step on toes. I hope you don't take it that way. [img]smile.gif[/img]
