It's funny as I read this I thought about what I was told and heard four years ago as we started. that was that our former PTA never told anyone what they were doing and that they never asked for help...right off the bat I started a monthly minute flyer/newsletter that went home to all families. Can you reach a point that is too much, I put it all out there at the beginning of the year (thats when parents are more willing) then in November we wean off some, in January I put a little push in the school newsletter and the last month of school I do a big writeup about being involved. All year long we send out the minutes, meeting flyers, school newsletter articles, so constantly reminding them that they can become involved at any time. One other thing is if you have access to a main bulletin board do a volunteer board with lots of pictures, that seems to also reaffirm any time...any place.
As far as event/project publicity there can never truly be enough(ok if you send something out everyday...ha ha ha) Yesterday I had presented our interim principal with the flyers for September we have 9 going out the first month...is it too much? Not sure...you can never please everyone. my old principal and I tried streamlining the info a year ago and we decided that wasnt a option because we would be withholding some valuable info...communication can help that "click" reputation that some groups are accused of.... you can't be accused of hiding anything!
Can't please everyone! I hear all thesame stuff. can't everyone just be happy and positive like me? NOPE! I just sent out one survey at the end of last year, heard what the parents wanted and now I go forward knowing my goal is to keep open communication with teachers & parents and focus on the children of our school.
I also learned not to ask for to many opinions!
I know my position as pres. and will now learn to ask for help!
good luck.
If you are having more people sign up or help than before, then you are moving in the right direction. As a first year, it is very easy to swing back and forth between both ends of the spectrum. To find out what you are doing right or wrong-too much or too little-ask people at your school their opinion and listen when they give it. Some will be good and some will be bad because not everyone can be happy all the time, but hopefully what they say will give you the insight you need.
I was told I sent home too many notes, even though other staff were suggesting I send out more. I was also told that I'm always around to listen and try to find a solution and that this is very different from the last person who was always around (lurking) and gossiping, though someone else asked me why I needed to be at the school almost everyday.
The fact that you know that there is a line you need to walk is a very good start! I'm sure people will see how hard you are trying and maybe they will want to join you. Keep up the good work.
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
so i'm the new president, the biggest complaint of the PTO was "I didn't know how to get involved" so i've been trying to put things to together to draw people in, volunteer forms that includes checking off what you want to volunteer for, sign up posters for each committee (10), and outline of committees with time approximates
when is it too much? will is scare away parents?
what if no one wants to volunteer?
how do you find a balance?
