We can ask teachers to help out at PTO functions, but no way we could require them to be at even one because of their contract. Their contract states they have to participate in one school event all year (not necesarily PTO) and most fulfilled that with the back to school ice cream social. Many of our teachers are disallusioned with our school right now because we have a new principal who is very different from the popular one who just moved on,and the PTO gave teachers no money last year. Of course,most of it was stolen, but that isn't common knowledge. And I understand that point of view.

Having said that, the new board this year has worked super hard on our fall festival which is coming up this weekend and is our biggest fall fundraiser. The teachers have seen what we are doing and they know it is to raise money for them, and almost every teacher has volunteered to help out by running the carnival games or working in the kitchen-- a much bigger turn out that we expected. And not only that, but we are doing class baskets for a silent auction this year, and almost every class had a much bigger basket than I expected. Many teachers went into their own pockets to help with the baskets,even after I told them not to because we have plenty of other auction items. I am so impressed with what the teachers are doing to help, and it's mostly because our enthusiasm has caught on.

I was one who complained and was frustrated by the lack of teacher interest earlier this year, but I have seen a big turn around. Maybe if you do the same, show teachers how hard you are working, they will be inspired to do the same.

Anywhere you go you will find people that want money for doing only what is required of them. If you want them to do something, propose that your group make stipulations requiring a minimum amount of service required before funds can be requested or tell the staff that since you can not get all of them to help your group, you will not be able to support them as strongly financially in the future.
As for adding events, our principal prefers we schedule all of our events before the school calendar is printed so staff can plan ahead what they can volunteer for. Several of them, make monetary donations when they are unable to attend anything for the year. But when you think of the conferences and performances and lord only knows what else they are required to stay for, I'm not sure I would want to stay either unless I could see a direct benefit or loss as a result. I bet your principal was refering to not asking too much of the ones that do help.
My honest suggestion, talk to your teachers. Let them know your group is frustrated by the lack of the majority to help keep your events afloat. Remind them that you are a team, they are to help you and you are to support them. Don't be surprised if some of them are upset by this. I had one teacher tell me I could keep my funds, she didn't have time for her 2 jobs and her familiy as it was, that PTO money wasn't worth her time.

We do have teacher participation but its always the same teachers. For the most part our teachers are very helpful for day events in our school but we do have a few that just expect us to hand money over to them like its theirs or something.
This past week I tried to get an event in the evening for our students. We wanted the High School students to perform at our elementary school as a family event.
The principal didnt want it as a evening event because its hard for the teachers to come also because they have families. When she said this I was kind of dumbfounded becauses I was well more than half dont come anyways so what does it matter its for the students and the parents not the teachers.


Cindy

I hear what all of you are saying. I understand that the teachers in our area have been underpaid compared to other districts for many years resulting in many of them needing to have additional jobs to support themselves besides those that have families and kids and events for those kids at their schools.
I always ask for teacher support and remind them that they put the T in PTO as well as children and families coming to school events to get to see their teacher. I am also understanding that they can't always come and when they tell me they can't come, I always ask if they know of any parents in their class THEY could get to volunteer in their place. This year we also cut a lot of our in school events and are doing more off site events because they require less from our group and the staff as well as the families quit coming to the same boring stuff. This has made everyone happier.
You should never expect every teacher to come to every meeting unless there is a real problem with your group. By not coming, I feel like we, as well as the teacher reps, are doing their jobs and keeping everyone happy. If teachers are complaining, I tell them to bring it up at a meeting or tell their rep to bring it up.

We don't get alot of staff particpation at events but they do offer support in other ways when we need it. I mean at our Fall Fest last week we had about 10 staff helpers (out of like 92 staff), it is hard to expect them to stay and help when they have families as well. I was talking to a teacher yesterday and she was asking me about what is going on and she is a big advocate to push our group in her weekly class room newsletter, that can be a way of supporting a group as well. Yes it many be frustrated but don't put all your energy into it, I learned that the hard way=)

Thank you for letting me know that I am not way off base!! I would like to hear if other PTOs have this problem and what their response is - if any.