Are you lumping fund raisers and events (that might make a little bit) together to come up with your 3 per semester? From what I've seen, a lot of people dont realize that not all events make money. Some are just for fun. I know a lot of parents think that if they come and spend money it was a "fund raiser" when in reality, we probably just broke even!

For example, our fall "monster mash": We have a DJ (games, music, dancing), sell pizza, pop, popcorn, pictures and glow necklaces. Its $1 to get in. Many view it as a PTA "fundraiser". We did make a little bit, but really the prices were set to just cover the expense of the event. If you are including things like that with actual fundraisers (selling things with the intent of making profit) then, you could probably do 2-3 per sememester if you have the volunters to back you up.

You can also consider membership dues to help supplement your budget. Some PTO's don't charge membership dues at all, but our group does.

Good luck to you!

Have to agree with Tim on this one, six fundraisers have me running already. Work on getting parents excited, and increasing involvement before you put so much importance on doing fundraisers, you will burn your families out and they will probably see your group as money bags instead of what you want them to see you as. Good luck!

Originally posted by <Shake>:
I'm thinking about fundraising events too. (no more than 3 per semester)

Hi Shake -

Glad you found us here and glad you're getting involved. It's well worth it.

But -- whoa -- 6 fundraisers per year? Ouch.

With a brand new group you have such a great opportunity to make a first impression. And you want that first and lasting impression to be about involvement and community and service -- way more than fundraising.

So many legacy/older groups are now struggling to get away from a reputation as "that fundraising group." It's so hard to engage parents and build up your volunteers when your known that way. not many folks are sitting home wondering how they can fundraise, y'know?

Two thoughts:

1. Focus your early efforts and nearly all your public attention on involvement and community-building.

2. When it comes to fundraising, think: "less". You want to do fewer fundraisers more effectively and then spend a lot more time and attention on the non-fundraising stuff. On so many levels, two fundraisers run really well are so much better than 4 run just OK. At 6, you'll not only get a rep as a fundraising group(as opposed to a service and community and involvement group), it'll be deserved.

Tons more ideas throughout this site on all of the above.

Good luck,

Tim

[ 03-11-2006, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

OOPS

I meant to say in the Teacher's lunch, 1 person, not 1hour, to answer phones, etc.

Also, of course, tell the head of school, that you want to frequently touch-base with him or her so that the 2 of you can work more as a team to organize and exicute things. It always helps to have some one in that position backing you up, and he/she may have ideas from their previous experiences.

They may also want the PTO to set up something with the students, for them to make for their teachers.

Jan

Hi Shake,

I think that you are close to the smallest school I've seen on here, except for my daughter's.
We are currently 42 kids, pre-K thru3rd, going back up to 4th this fall. There are 36 families, with total availability for 90 kids. I volunteered to be the PTO president this past fall when nobody else wanted the job. I met a lot of opposition to "change" from other parents (they felt that no one would volunteer to do things, so don't try to do more or different things, they were wrong. The teachers, 4 plus an aide, all of whom are wonderful teachers, were afraid that they would have to "do even more." I had to organize more to get around their resistance, but now, they have thanked me for what has been done this year, and are more willing to be involved, and to be more flexible.
The Board of Trustees, many of them have or had children in the school, are leary about change, because they don't want to stop or change "what works" because they're afraid that something different won't work as well. They ask my advice regularly, now.

It's exciting having a PTO for a small school. You can raise money for interesting creative additions to the school. I refer to it as "more color to the curriculum."

At this point in the year, you want to get parents interested in being involved with the school. Tell them that it improves their children's interest in school, and because of the parent's direct involvement, the parents better know what is happening with their kid's education. It makes interactions with their kid's teachers easier and more open conversations take place which have real effects on their kid's education. Tell the parents, that by being involved, and doing things with the school greatly improves the quality of the school that they chose to send their kids to.

When you have your first meeting, see what things have been done before, and ask the head of school, and the teachers fill out a questionaire of what they've liked in the past, and what they think would be good things to do in the future.
Ask parents to come to the meeting to discuss their ideas and for all of you to make a list of the top 6-10 things you want to compliment the school with. Then discuss the need to do fundraisers, and volunteerism to make these things happen. Send a notice home a week before the meeting, and ask people to send back the info before the meeting, so you can look at it, organize it, and, probably get ideas from people who won't show up. Offer babysitting and refreshments.

When you've made your lists, send a letter home to all of the parents, asking them which things they are willing to get involved in. RE-ASSURE parents that all project involvement (jobs) will be well DEFINED, so that they can feel comfortable that they won't be called on to do an endless job.

For teacher appreciation week, we are doing a teacher appreciation lunch for the teachers, aides and secretary. We will cater in food, make the teacher's lounge all dressed up, and we need 4 volunteer parents to help for 2 hours each. 1/2 hour to set up, 1/hour to cover the phones, and 3 to do lunch duty and recess.
Then 1/2 hour to clean-up. If your school is similar to ours, you may need 4-6 volunteers to do this, and the teachers really appreciate it.

Now, you will need to do atleast one fundraiser before this. It's a little late to do a catalogue fundraiser for easter, but go to your local garden/nursery, and tell them you need their help with "wholesale" priced plants. Put out a flyer to all the families and teachers with a few choices for Holiday Plants, and try to mark them up, close to 100% if possible. Even if you only make $4 profit, per plant, if there are 100 orders, that's a quick $400. Parents should fill out the forms and send in with the money and tell them the PTO will send home a notice with their children to let them know when they can pick them up.

Look for other ideas under "fundraising"

The other thing I just saw today, was "read-a-thon ideas". It's posted under Today's Active Topics, under "School Family Events." This looks like a great fundraiser that should make everyone happy.

Best of luck. If want to reach me via e-mail, go to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jan, AKA Rachel's mom