bensmom- We do supply baskets for the teachers with the most parents. They also get a school banner to hang by their door until the next meeting. We give 2 baskets because 3-5 grades always have such few parent as the primary grades and I got tired of them being left out because the intermediate teachers actually come and usually have valuable input. The baskets are about $15-$20 each filled with classroom supplies. I came up with this idea because I get tired of seeing such a long list of "needed materials" on the teachers newsletters that I hoped it would help. I usually got the supplies at Wal Mart and was able to put several things in there. We also have a small door prize and since we started having refreshments that seemed to help too. I guess some people can't pass up free food even if it is cookies.
We are going to try this next year. At our 3 general meetings we will hold a contest for the class who has the most parents come to the meeting. Gotta' come up with a GOOD prize !
No alcohol is allowed on our school property or tobacco so that's out of the question. Liability would also be a major issue. If someone caused an accident last server is very responsible. That's how it is where we are.
We have gone to 3 annual meetings. Sept. to discuss our major yearly issues (kick-off), Jan. to discuss where we are and what we need to do to finish out the year and to get any nominations or interests for following year, and in May to accept new budget, new officers, and new projects for fundraising for the following year. It worked for us so far. I do love the "get a friend to come to the meetings" !! Our committees seem to draw enough people to take care of monthly business or whatever issues the committee is for.
We are a small catholic school in Ohio. As long as there are no children at a function, alcohol can be served. We have to get a permit if we are selling it, which we are not. The pastor and the principal (who both attend) have no problem with it.
It's not like we are doing body shots or anything. Just having a few beers with friends.
Alcohol?! I have never heard of a PTO/PTA group serving/providing alcohol at a meeting. Where are your meetings held? at someone's home? We would never in a million years even consider that. It is like opening a can of worms here in our part of the world (NJ). What an interesting meeting that would be!! :eek:
It must be the mid-western Catholic in us. . . if there is alcohol, we will come.
A couple cases of beer, big bottle of wine and some 2 liters of pop is ususally what we have. We have a little can on the table for people to make donations to the refreshment kitty. Between that and split-the-pot, it's covered. The refreshment portion of our meetings lasts way longer than the actual meetings themselves.
I was just elected President for the next two years and I've been asking around to see if it's really necessary for Monthly General Meetings. The answer was always YES!! It's a social event for a lot these moms.
And, ya' know, if that's what it takes to get people involved, then I'm all for it.
