What a great idea! I'm a new PTO pres. and am having a hard time defining what our direction is. Questions like yours would help lead the group to a goal. Also, we have some conflict within our group as to what the purpose of the PTO is.
I feel we should be finding ways to enhance our childrens education by providing entertaining experiences so that teachers can focus on teaching. I also feel that we should assist the teachers whenever possible by providing volunteers at their request and doing things like announcing activities in our newsletter.
Others in our group feel that PTO should announce our fundraisers and activities and that the PTO alone should decide how we spend our money. A couple of years ago we had a very successful fundraiser and had the opportunity to purchase new playground equipment at half price. The PTO pres. got the PTO board to approve spending the money on the equipment then bought it without asking if it fit with the schools plans. A lot of the teachers were a bit ticked off to say the least. They felt the money could have been spent better elsewhere.
Sooo, my questions will be 1. "What do you feel is the purpose of the PTO?" and 2. "What is your idea for a long term project for the PTO?" (these ideas would then be presented to the teachers and superintendent.
In my past meetings we have done round table introductions but instead of the same old "name, rank and serial number" we've added, name, grade of child- favorite movie and why or favorite book and why or what your favorite kids toy was when you were growing up. It starts a little bit of conversation and the toys question, for example gets a lot of laughs and "I remember that!"
We have had two meetings so far this year and at the beginning of each, after introductions, I have opened with a discussion question. I like this because it gets everyone greared to the meeting and gives the latecomers a chance to get settled. The first month I asked, what do you think of when someone says PTO and the sencond meeting I asked, what do you want to take away from being a member of this committee. These questions did really well and helped get people motivated toward the meeting, so I like doing this, but I can't think of one for the next meeting. Do any of you do this or something similar to get the brains moving in the PTO direction before you jump into the business?
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
