ok as far as attending family events. The key here is to put their kids on stage or have them perform in some manner. Then you will be beating off those camcorder holding parents with a stick!!! ie. at a holiday event, have the kids sing simple songs. Chances are they are being taught them during school anyone so its not to hard to put on. Just make sure there is a variety and not religious. If the kids want there parents to be there than the parents will come. Also--art show during one. buy a bunch of ribbons give everyone honorable mentions and pick a few for 1st, 2nd , 3rd. Main point--find a way to showcase the kids and the parents will come. Good Luck!

We have a student population of 400+. We had a free pancake breakfast in January (25 parents attended), a spaghetti dinner in March (36 parents attended) and just yesterday held the PTO Today's College Funding Night (Only 2 parents attended!!!!) This was the most disappointing!! I am desperately calling on anyone who has had this same difficulty and found a way to overcome it. What free events have you held that had high attendance? What events that parents had to pay for netted large profits ($1500.00 or more). Please help!!!