It's a fact that these days it can be hard to get people's attention and hold it long enough to get things done. What with people working, driving kids around to activities, helping with homework, and leading our own lives (!) parents are busy people these days.

I've been mulling over the possibility of suggesting that we (that is, interested parents in our school), create a bulletin board type of list, like a Yahoo group, for the parents in our school. This would NOT be affiliated with the school or PTO, nor would it be run by them. It would be independent, run by and for parents within the school (of course staff and teachers would also be welcome!) It would also be membership approved, so only people within the school could join (for security and for keeping out spammers/griefers/etc.)

I'm thinking that this might be a soft and easy way for more parents to connect, share ideas, etc. It would need to be moderated, it wouldn't be a 'venting' place. It could be appropriate to share information about events in the area that could be of interest to parents, or info about items someone's seen for sale (ex- the Five and Below has Zoombinis software for $5 today!), etc.

And, in the course of events, it could ultimately galvanize people somewhat to get more involved with things. Papers come home from school, get lost in the shuffle. Months later you vaguely remember something, but who was it from? Who could you ask? A bulletin board could be just the place. Someone might write in about their involvement with a certain committee, how much fun it was, or how hard it was, and that could get people thinking, "Hey, that sounds like something I'd enjoy, or something I could help with!"

Now, frankly, I don't know enough people in my school to ramp up this kind of thing. I'd be more than willing to be a moderator, but it would take more than one person. And while this kind of board wouldn't require the school's approval, neither would I want to annoy anyone unnecessarily.

Has anyone here done this? Do people in your school maintain such a board? What has your experience been? And what's your opinion of the whole idea? I'd be interested to hear.