I'm going to suggest this to our school officials. I think it sounds like a great idea. PTO can be a wonderful tool if everyone is working for the same cause and keeps focused on the reasons we are there!

I was in the same position last year. I just want to say ditto on what dlf said. Our past president did great things for our school but she didnt follow a lot of the bylaws when it came to spending money.
We just came out with a vengenace to get ourselves out there as new officers, asking questions from the parents, teachers, principal, on what worked what didnt. Also meeting and greeting thats the main thing they want to know who you are and what you want for the school.

We did a survey at our first meeting when all the parents show up and they filled it our right there. Alot of times they get sent home and you don't get anything back. We sent one to the teachers too to get ideas from them.

We also got the word out what a PTO was and what our funds are used for. Many parents don't realize what/ how much they help the school out. Ex. field trips, music, whatever your school uses funds for that aren't in the school budget. Many of our parents were blown away by this. We did a brochure also explaining this.

On the survey we asked
What events they liked/ didnt like?
What fundraisers they liked/didn't like?
Did they have suggestions for new events?
Did they have suggestions for new fundraiser?
How would they like the PTO funds spent?
Were they involved in the PTO why or why not?

If I can think of anymore I'll let you know.

Cindy

At the risk of starting another "me too" line...I will be happy to send you a copy of our climate survey but you must email me at

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I am curious about the end of year survey that you sent out. Do you happen to have a copy? I would love to use that. Our parent involvement is low and I think it is because they don't feel they have a say in anything. Which is how the organiation was run before. I want the parents and staff to know that the door is open..

Thanks.

Mine would be to not consider whatyou can't do, but to focus on what you can. Do some team building events for the new leadership to get to meet the parents. Get letters of introduction about yourselves out to the families before summer break and let them know a little bit about you. Make your next PTO a bit of a meet and greet and perhaps a round robin to garner inputs from families on what they'd like to see. I send out a year end climate survey that let's me hear back what the parents enjoyed and did not. If you are new, they are curious about you so get the word out and let them feel like you want to be embraced. I would suggest an immediate meeting with the principal (administrators). Tell them how excited you are to be in the position and DO NOT put down anything the last group did. They were in it for the kids too...so you share that commonality. Consider a small presentation for the outgoing officers and tell them how much you appreciate all that they've done. Even though we had some tough times with our last president, I made it a point to speak of all her accomplishments in front of her when I took over and to present her with an engraved keychain that said PTO President and the years. It will be the legacy you give to your organization if you honor those that have come ahead of you....If you can give those folks meaningful chairs to support with that would probably inculcate their expertise...good luck...

The old regime did not win the election so we are the new officers wanted to know if anyone has been down this road. We know that there will be road blocks put in front of us from these individuals as well as principals, administrators etc.., this is unfortunate all we want to do is for the kids know we have these obstacles can anyone give us ideas or suggestions!!!????