We charge a 7.50 fee..this is only our second year and honestly we needed the dues money initially to set up business. Then we struck upon the idea of having the membership fee go into something we call our Sun Fund (which is short for sunny day fund). The SF is our parents direct contribution to the structure of our school and maintenance of it's grounds. We use that money in particular for things like remulching, flower pots, and structural enhancements. That way no one group that walks the hallways has to fund raise for that type of improvement. All other monies raised are for us to use to support other programs that all of our children participate in. We have about 254 members this year (up 25 percent) from last year. Folks don't seem to mind the fee, and they also receive a calendar and a car magnet (well last year it was a car magnet--next year it will be a different incentive).
So that's how we do it....I'll have to ask folks if they think the fee is a deterrent. It's a good question.
If you've never charged a membership fee or dues before, I would worry that starting it now would actually decrease membership and involvement.
I personally wouldn't pay dues and would find alternative ways to be involved in the community.
Money is only one way for a family to support it's school. Why not also reward people who can give time instead of money. Maybe a good way to include more people would be to ask for a variety of pledges: a specific dollar amount, a certain # of volunteer hours, in kind donations...
Tapping into the communities resources and welcoming everyone who has something to contribute seems like a good idea to me.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
The only perk we offer for membership ($10 per family)is a school directory containing students names, address, phone etc.
Prerequisite to running a committee/volunteering is that you are an active PTO member.
Yes, it does give you good start up capital in the beginning of the year. Yes, it does seem exclusionary and may be off-putting to some families. As with everything else, membership dues are a double edged sword.
Our PTO offers discount cards for business' around town. We charge ten dollars and it basically pays for itself with the first couple BOGO lattes or pizzas!
WE HAVE A HARD ENOUGH TIME TRYING TO GET PARENTS TO THE MEETING,LET ALONE CHARGING THEM DUES.BUT IF IT WORKS FOR YOU GO FOR IT. AND IF IT DOES NOT WORK YOU HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING. THEN TRY TRY AGAIN . :eek:
