We call our PTO Exec Board Meetings "PTO Business Meetings" as that doesn't sound quite so scary and formal. We want to encourage anyone interested to attend.
Have a fun family night and have order forms for elastic shoe laces and personalized books. Successful fundraisers have variety. The reason body lotion didn't work is only so many people like body lotion, even less want to try a new kind. The more variety you offer the greater response. However, I wouldn't have 10 sales a year. We do one fundraiser a year, the wrapping paper/candy and clear $30,000 a year (800 kids, K-5). We make about $4000 at our fun fair and that's not even considered a fundraiser. We do School Supply kits as a service and I have had parents tell me they'd pay double for the kits they are so easy and convenient, which could be a fundraiser, that would make about $8000 if they really paid double. I guess I'm saying; would the shoelaces or books bring that in? I'm not sure what your goals are or the types of things you spend money on, but you could earmark the funds, shoelaces for playground equipment and books for library books. I think, while parents like something appealing to buy they are more interested in where the money raised will be spent. Stay away from being the Fundraising group and concentrate on parent involvement. You'll get more ideas as you get more parents involved. PTO today's conference has about 200 fundraising vendors if you need more ideas.
Executive Board meeting definitely scare people away. We have a general meeting once a month. We've kind of planned out our calendar and have 30 communities and hundreds of volunteers, but you may start with "Any interested parents please come to our Family Fun Night Planning meeting". Don't spend a real long time arguing about shoelaces or books, discuss and vote. You know if they go for shoelaces, embrace it, sell those shoelaces and decide on something practical to spend the funds on. If they don't sell, "well, we told you so".
Teachers are a real good source of what to spend the money on. The latest teaching tool, technology, innovative reading programs. Parents are better at deciding on what they will buy.
soccermom- Can I get a copy of your top 10 lists? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Thank you very much!!!!
We used to have both types of meetings. The Exec board decided what would be done, then the general meeting was to tell them what we were doing. Sounds kind of silly now that I see it in print. LOL
[ 11-18-2004, 12:49 PM: Message edited by: Lisa Stovall ]
I think changing the name might get you at least a couple new people who didn't feel comfortable enough to come before. I also tried putting out a little reminder note about our meeting and told the parents that this is a great opportunity to have the principals ear for an hour in a small group. We also have two teacher representatives so it was a chance for them to get a little more familiar with the teachers in the school as well. It didn't make a big difference, but we got two more people who now volunteer quite often. Good Luck!
Our school used to have both and it was known that anyone could attend a board meeting but were not allowed to vote, so no one went. Some parents went to the general meeting but felt like they were left out of the loop and we have low attendance and participation. So 2 years ago they decided that 2 meeting was too much and they were just repeating the same stuff and not getting much feedback. Though anyone can speak their views, we don't typically have people outside the board attend meetings to worry about who votes and who doesn't. If someone told me there was a PTO Board meeting at my new school, I wouldn't think much of it, but if they told me there was a PTO or Parent Group meeting, I would be the first one there. It's all in the wording.
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
Went through a very similar situation last year. Parents don't want to come unless they think they are on the PTA "Board". Here's what we did...maybe it'll work for you.
#1--We have a family event every month--movie night, arts and crafts, etc. We do the PTA meeting at the event--you have the parents there anyhow. (And the teachers are there and provide childcare and "warm up activities" with the kids)
#2--Changed "Board" meeting title to "PTA Meeting" on the monthly calendar that goes home with the children. That way, there's no confusion as to who's invited and who's not.
#3--I send out a funny "Top 10" every month to the families to at least get their attention & many parents have approached me to say that the Top 10 was the reason they decided to come...it made them think that maybe the PTA could actually be fun! (or at least there were a few parents in the PTA with a sense of humor!)
