I sent out a "Volunteer Opportunites" questionaire this year. I got a 43 out of 300 response, which I'm considering pretty good. It at least lets them know that we need help and welcome it. They used to just solicit the people who attended meetings, and that is even less. I also try to keep everyone informed and go for a "you don't have to attend meetings to be involved attitude". This is my second year as chairman. It's a slow attitude change. We also had a Boo Hoo breakfast this year and I used it as a recruiting session also. We had a great response. I think openess and a welcoming attitude are the best ways to attrack new, active people. P.S. please excuse any spelling errors. Good luck! Oh, and a personal invitation is always a ringer. Wendy.
At least it's a common problem that we have, huh? I am like you, alot of the diehard hard workers are parents of Fifth graders and are leaving for Middle School after this year. Someone post that knows what will work to motivate more people. Some of you have been PTO presidents for multiple years (I'm a first timer)
I was hoping some older wiser folks out there would help us with some tried and true schemes! I am still hoping....please respond, those of you who have tried to combat a "sick PTO culture" with twenty people doing everything all the time. Even if what you tried didn't work it would still be helpful to know what DOESN't work so we won't waste time on it!!! Thanks!
I would love to hear replies to this. Same thing here. As the saying goes, typically 20% of the people do 80% of the work. We are easily less than 10% of the people doing closer to 90%. And I'm losing a lot of them after this year.
We have a serious burn-out problem in our school. We are Pre-S-thru 5th grade and by the time people are having kids to 3rd grade the same ones have been doing everything and they are like DON"T CALL ME!! b/c they are worn out. The problem is, the same ones do everything, and trying to get new blood is hard. I am trying as PTO President to work on this "sick culture" and make the work spread out to more people.
Any suggestions, things that you all have tried to get the whole base to volunteer more rather the same worn out 20 people? Help/ things that work/ or creative ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
