Thanks, ladies! I had an idea what approach I wanted to take and your words reinforced that and gave me confidence. I wasn't terribly surprised to have been nominated president, but I was surprised at the speed at which I was going to be standing in front of a crowd and SPEAKING. I guess I'd figured I'd have a few weeks until the next meeting to get my ducks in a row. I have very little experience with formal public speaking and even when addressing a large group of people I don't know well informally, I get all shaky. But I got through it, and smiled at people until I thought I was a high school cheerleader again. While the turnout at this event was smaller than at other literacy fairs I've attended, we had 27 parents put their names down on our prospective member list.
I am definitely lucky in that I do have other PTO resources in the district... in fact, the 4-8 school is directly across the street. It's just a matter of figuring out which of the nearly 25 schools have PTO's and which of those are most effective. My district is experiencing tremendous growth right now... there are two more schools in the planning stages. Fortunately, I have developed a strong (and positive!) relationship with our principal... not only is she considered a good administrator by parents and teachers alike, she is an alumni, so she doesn't just look at the school as an administrator... she's been there as a student too, back when it was one of the newer schools in the district.
You know Curlykidz, I think you are very lucky! Three years ago I started our PTO. The school had one that only one parent was part of and ran and we also had a change in Principals at the time. I called the Principal to see what interest she had in a parent group. Because of that I was able to work closely with the Principal and just run with anything! I have no idea how many schools are in your District, but the best way to start is by teaming up with your Principal. Share your vision and find out what his/hers looks like. Also, advertise a first meeting to see if anyone would like to help create the PTO mission/vision. If you have the roles of your parent group and they are made clear (no finger pointing) and you work hard at promoting a "fresh & new" PTO I am sure things will be just fine! Hard work and a lot of energy (and hand shaking) is what it takes! Have faith in yourself. If you are raising children the PTO will be a breeze!
Are there any schools close by that you can go and talk to their PTO Board? It's nice to get into other schools and PTO's to see what and how, and why they are doing what they are doing.
Otherwise, I'd start with getting the information out there. Start with your speech, then move on to a flyer in the next couple of weeks announcing your first meeting. Make it enticing. Use catchy phrases to get them to come. Then start a one page monthly "newsletter" to inform parents that they are welcome to participate. Then get sign up sheets for events however small they are. Ask for phone numbers and e-mail addresses and keep them informed. Not just about upcoming fundraisers or events, but about school stuff, nice curriculum stuff, awards that may have been given a child etc. Put a craft corner or recipe corner in there to fill the page.
Get them loving the school and the community and slowly but surely I think they will come out to be a part of it. It won't happen over night, but you can get a flyer together over night. So go for it.
Think about the advertising that businesses do to get people to come to their store or buy their product. You have to entice them and make them want to come. It seems you may have some damage control to do, but remember, there are probably new parents in that school who were not privy to the bad stuff a few years ago. Good luck.
My children's school has not had a PTO in quite some time. This year there have been two informational meetings about PTSO, and both times only myself and the same other parent attended. Last night I was nominated PTSO president. Not only do I have the challenge of starting a PTO from scratch... I've never been involved in PTO at any level. There is a literacy carnival tonight and the principal asked me to say a few words (boy, she's really socking it to me for pestering her about PTSO these last two years). I've written a brief speech, designed a flyer, and have done some research (mostly courtesy of this site... thanks!).
I think our community has a wealth of untapped resources, but I happen to know that many years ago a parent advocacy group for gifted children got to be pretty powerful and the 'political' atmosphere became very tense between the group and the school/district, with parents pointing fingers at teachers over classroom technique in board meetings and the like. There hasn't been a gifted advocacy group since, nor a PTO group in at least three years, if not longer. I think there is a good chance in this community that some parents and staff may still remember the previous negative issues and be hesitant to get involved in another parent group.
So here I am, with no pracical experience, starting a PTO from scratch in a school community that has some baggage. Any suggestions for starting off on the right foot and creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere?
