Having been involved with parent groups for more than 9 years with two children, having chaired many committees, been president 2 years and a very involved parent, overall, I would say to put little time into whether parents attend meetings. I would put your time, energy and focus into your events and programs. That's what really counts! Engage parents and children in positive ways at your school and in the evenings when they can all be together. That's where your focus should be.
You have a board of officers and a bunch of chairpeople and they can certainly take care of the business end of things. Some parents will make time to attend meetings, but most won't; no matter what you do. So, take my advice and put your energy where it matters; events and programs to benefit the families/children/staff at your school and in your community!
Too many parent groups spend so much time trying to get parents to meetings. People are just too busy, and let's be honest, the meetings are really pretty boring and most of the decisions have been made before you even get to a general meeting. Times have changed and so must our expectations of parents. Parent groups need to stop gauging their success by how many parents attend their meetings. Gauge your success by how many families attend your events/programs! Just my two-cents.
We have a brochure for our school/PTO for all parents. It is given out during the Back to School night or sent home with the children at the beginning of the school year. We also have a Parent Desk by the Main Office that keeps parents abreast of all events throughout the school year. There is also informational packets there as well for various issues. I could send you a brochure if you wish, just email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
PattyK, that is my greatest fear , becoming the Prez. Not that I don't think that I'd enjoy it, but I work full time and would not really be able to be at the school all the time like the ones before my time.
My time involved at the school will be quite a few years since my daughter is in the first grade and my son is almost three. My husband just might ban me from taking on any more things outside of the home :eek: but time will tell.
I started by taking over small areas, volunteering when no one else did, like being the coordinator for a fundraiser and taking some of the load off the officers. It was most welcomed.
You have great ideas. One doesn't have to hold an office to be instrumental in creating money, fun or otherwise contibuting to the PTO.
I started just like you did with energy and passion. I was nobody... that was four years ago, now I'm President.. giggle giggle... just had to throw that at yoU! [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]
I am new at being President this year, but it has been a great experience. One key thing that has helped me is an e-mail network I started. Each week I e-mail each homeroom parent a "What's happening the week of (date)" and bullet the meetings, events, and areas where we need help. It is a miricle how many people respond with one e-mail sent out. The Home room parent forwards my e-mail out to the parents in their classroom... it has worked great.
We also send a welcome basket to every new family that moves in our school once the year has begun. I call each one personally to introduce myself and invite them to our meetings.
Laslty we have fun events.. just for fun. We are having a Mom's go to the Movies on a Wednesday night. We bought tickets at a reduced rate, will sell them at the door and the mom's can see whatever movie is showing in the 14 theatres. Afterwards we will go to Starbucks for a cup of coffee and conversation. This event will be a hit!
, becoming the Prez. Not that I don't think that I'd enjoy it, but I work full time and would not really be able to be at the school all the time like the ones before my time.