Here is our letter for folks that join:
Hello – and welcome to _____ PTO,
We are so happy to have you as a part of this very talented and creative group of families at _________. It is our absolute goal to ensure that our children have the best start to their learning experience. Your help will ensure that we can do just that.
Our PTO was formed just one year ago. I can tell you however, that we have myriad talents amongst our members. At the core of it all we have a heart and spirit that is unsurpassed. Just having your family’s name on our roles gives us the moral support we need, and your contributions of time and energy keep the spirit growing and showing.
Take a look at our packet. It outlines what we’ve done to date as well as where your particular help is needed. If you have an idea that you don’t see SPEAK UP!!! I promise you we take all suggestions very seriously and are incorporating ideas from your survey sheets from last year into this year’s programs.
I also want to personally thank you. I know that some folks shy away from joining the PTO out of fear of constant requirements to volunteer. While we of course appreciate any type of support you can provide and realize that your time is very valuable, we also know that in some cases it just is not possible. Our board is comprised of working families as well as stay at home parents so we maintain an even perspective on what impact we have on you. If you cannot volunteer, just mark that on your membership form and we WILL NOT call you.
Finally-look around you at our great school. I cannot say often enough how lucky we are to have this place of learning, this group of teachers and staff, and all of these wonderfully supportive families to form our learning community. Get set for a great year and remember that we are here to leave our prints on tomorrow….so let’s get started.
Sincerely,
Here is our letter for folks looking to join:
Dear Bobcat Parents:
You don’t have to volunteer when you join the PTO! Phew, I hope I said that early enough in my letter that I still have your attention. I mean it…really…if you check on your form that you don’t wish to volunteer – WE WON’T CALL YOU. We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, and that for some families spending time at the school is just not possible. That’s why we do what we do; so that all the children can have the benefit of all the parents’ efforts. By joining the team, you are telling those of us that can and do volunteer that you appreciate our time and efforts. You give us the backing to move forward with initiatives knowing that you’re on board with us. Joining also gives you access to tons of updates on school events. We use our email extensively to let you know what is going on and to get feedback from you. We’re talking serious service here.
We believe that’s what our efforts are, they are the payback to you for the ways you support this organization. Through your help with fundraisers and donations of soda, salads, baked goods and yes time, you allow us to keep the spirit of our children and faculty soaring. In the September Bobcat Prints, or on our website you’ll see some of the things we accomplished last year CLEARLY OUTLINED. We hope that if you have questions, you’ll ask us, and if they are questions we cannot answer, you’ll help us find the answer. The term “we can’t do it†IS NOT in this board’s vocabulary. So please—join us as we build our membership by filling out the attached form and including a check of 7.50 to MBES PTO and returning it in your child’s backpack. It’s that simple to make a difference.
Okay—I’ll close like I started, your membership is about you being on the team, and what we can do for our school and all of our children with your support. It’s about leaving prints, making trails and getting through the forest together. So whether you donate your time, your services, your skills or your spirit…YOU will be the reason we are a successful organization for our children.
Sincerely,
Here is my first newsletter article:
September 2005…first Bobcat Prints and it already feels like we’ve been in school 6 months. What a busy start. This PTO has already completed 3 major projects and we aren’t even done with the first month yet. While I started to use this space to tell you all the things we have planned, all the work where you can contribute etcetera, etcetera…I’ve decided instead to tell you what WE your 05/06 board are going to do for you.
-We’re gonna be efficient. That means if you volunteer your time, the project you arrive to support will be well planned, and well executed so we don’t waste your time.
-We’re gonna spend money…on this school, on our kids and on our programs. You all work hard to support PTO fundraisers, and we want you to see the benefit of your work. In this article alone you’ll read about the events, and things we’ve funded with time, money and spirit.
-We’re gonna make money. Your board this year is working hard to find products that are worthwhile to sell and purchase, and events that will make you want to join us.
- We’re gonna listen to you on how we focus our fundraisers and our energy. It seems most of you liked the pizzas we sold last year, so we’re doing that again, you liked the Holiday Shoppe but some wanted more supervision over your children’s spending, so we’re changing the set up of the Holiday Shoppe this year. You loved the Talent Show, TAG, the Carnival, the Dr. Seuss Night and we’re planning on doing those again, although Dr. Seuss may become an alternate year event with a multicultural celebration.
-We’re gonna do new stuff. This year we’ve added a Fall Fun Night at the skating rink. We’re looking into the legalities of holding a Movie Night for the family during those dreary winter months.
-We’re gonna give you our talents. This years volunteers are some of the most talented people I know. From stay at home moms, to working FBI professionals, from former accountants, to former PTO board members. I doubt you’ll ever hear us say “we can’tâ€, but we might say “can we bring our childrenâ€.
-Finally, we’re gonna have fun, and if you want to have fun and do great things we’re going to ask you to join us. But don’t sit around waiting for us either. If you’ve checked a box and haven’t heard from us, committee chair names and numbers are PLASTERED all over the place. Call us…we’re human and lord knows we have families to take care of, so we’re not being cliquish, or rude or even standoffish…we may have just made a mistake. If you’ve got something you’d like to head up, start off, take charge of…even if you’ve never done it before—we’ll be your backup and make things work. We’d love to get a volunteer mentoring/tutoring program going in the school, but we need the team leader to get it off the ground. CALL ME—we’ll make it happen.
Finally-I pledge to you that I will work my butt off to make this organization the best it can be. With such great folks it will be hard to not do tremendous things, but I promise you that success or failure, I’ll be out front to answer the mail.
Have a Brilliant Day!
