I just mentioned what you're talking about at a nomination committee meeting this week. Our PTA sees our situation as the parent community is lazy, and the parent community feels that the PTA is too cliquey and unwelcoming and doesn't want any part of it if they can't have any say. I definitely agree with the parent community, but am stubbornly trying to change things from within. A friend of mine had to do it with Brownies. She told everyone involved that unless they were willing to dedicate themselves to leading two meetings a year, there would be no more troop. People bitched, but guess what--they stepped up to the plate, and found out why she had to do what she did.
There are people who don't agree with that line of thinking, and it's then easy to fall into a self-made martyrdom which doesn't help anyone in the end. I feel that unless someone has gone without, they can never know what it's like until they do. Honesty isn't always nice, but it is what it is.
The problem of volunteers is complicated but I can tell you from many years of experience that you have to go get them. People are often willing to help if you make a personal appeal to them. Although we have a nominating committee we do not expect replies. We talk to the teachers of the younger grades and ask who volunteers in the classroom. We look at the different committees and try to find the people that often show up even if they might not have signed up to help out. Talking friends and neighbors into events is also standard operating procedure. For the board, it's A LOT easier to talk someone into the secretarial positions and have more seasoned members just change positions. When you are trying to recruit someone, know all the details of the position and let them know that they will not be left alone to do the job. For me, the incentive was to have a voice in pta policyat our school and not just a vote.
It seems to be a common problem among the people who post ---obtaining volunteers. Our PTA has 5 ladies and myself who do it all. My story is this---the nominating committee sent out a ballot looking for volunteers for executive board members and chairs. We got one back! Has anyone ever sent a letter home with the students stating how the school's parent group would have to cut out programs/events due to lack of parential interest? Is this too harsh or can you shame people into helping??? HELP!!!!
