Originally posted by dlf: VolunteerMom3-- Meetings are unimportant in my mind...it is the events. I take lower attendance as a sign that folks are happy with the way things are going (okay maybe that is a pollyanna sense but it keeps me going).
d- I really like this statement! I have never thought about it that way. Now this year I am going to have your thought in my mind every time I walk into the school before the meetings. If there's lots of people there, either they are truly supporting the PTO or there's a HUGE problem. And if it's just the board members, then so be it. We will conduct business like always and not worry about low attendence.
B
VolunteerMom3--I really have to say (and you "old Message folks" will know my mantra)...you have got to communicate with folks and establish a "personal relationship" with them. I think the biggest success toward doing that is creating an email list that passes out information routinely about the happenings of the school. You should keep the emails light and upbeat (never desperate)and send them out like they are a service to your "members". I think doing this kind of thing (and signing them with your name at the bottom) breaks down many, many of the fences that cause so much frustration. People come to have a sense of you and the organization, see the good things you are doing and then will pitch in. We're a new school with many helpful parents but at our volunteer breakfast this past year we literally sent out 175 volunteer invitations, and these were all 'active' volunteers. If you can just get one person to come that hasn't helped before, and then empower them in some way, they in turn will bring their friends. Meetings are unimportant in my mind...it is the events. I take lower attendance as a sign that folks are happy with the way things are going (okay maybe that is a pollyanna sense but it keeps me going).
So consider your means of communications...fun and informative newsletters, websites and upbeat "winner" emails will get you a lot of ground. You can see examples of ours at brentpto.com. Good luck...
I agree, www.three4me.com
has some great tools to help encourage parental involvement. I especially like the foot prints that parents get for volunteering for 3 hours. We are going to start it this year in our school.
Have you checked out Three for Me? It is a great program with lots of info on how to increase involvement, and lots of ideas on helping dads get involved!
Does any one have any ideas on how to get parents interested and volunteering.
We have had our P.T.O. since spring 2001 and have not had any luck. We do not charge a membership fee. We have tried everything from serving refreshments to offering free babysitting and still no luck. The first couple of meetings we may end up with 10 parents attending (325 students enrolled) and by the middle of the year end up with only two showing up for meetings. We ask parents to volunteer, making sure not to ask the same one repeatedly, and either they agree and pull a no-show or say they are too busy.
In recent years we have lost the vice president, secretary, treasurer and my only "loyal" volunteers as their children have moved onto middle school.
This year I have the principal, and two returning parents who can help out when they can. Any suggestions??
