prob wrong thread so you might not get many answers but it depends on what type of group you are, and what your bylaws say. Our group is a pto non profit org so we are a seperate identity then the school itself.

Hi can you help me, I have a meeting in less than 20 min, and I am a first time Pres....everyone wants to know if the princeapal can force us to run our funds throug his general fund ?

I know you said you did not want to cancel the parties, and I agree that it is NOT the children's fault, but, if no parents/family members are willing to help, especially parents from kinder,even after letters have been sent out, maybe the party needs to be cancelled, that way they will know that if they do not cooperate with their kids class/school, their children will not get the party/treat. A final letter could always be sent out making a final request for room parents and the outcome of not having one.

I agree to try for at least one rep for each party. We actually do several for each party. Sometimes we end up without anyone, but usually not. If you have multiples, we assign each person something to bring/handle. Some of them don't even attend the party, they send their craft or food, or whatever rather than attending the party.

My Room Parent Coordinator and I have encountered the same problem. We have been making phone calls to parents who signed up under other areas of the sheet(to bring treats, help w/ yearbook, etc.). The personal phone calls seem to be most beneficial. It's harder to say "No." when your talking person to person. We always encourage co-room parents too. It makes it easier and seems to get some of those hesitant parents to jump in if they know they'll have a partner. I have one class to go and if I can't find anyone by the end of this week, I'll do the party.(It's a unique situation with 2 classes and 2 teachers who are team teaching. Since my daughter is in one of the classes, I can just as easily coordinate for all the kids.) My hope though is that I can "guilt" someone into it at the Halloween party, since lots of parents come for the costume parade and then stay for the party after.

What makes the situation even worse to me is that two of the classes are kindergarten. When my son was in kindergarten we had people who had hurt feelings when they didn't get to be the room mom.