Make the change saying"well this year let's start with a new fresh look", stay away from this is the way it has always been done BUT...make it more positive it will work better.

Capedad thanks for the advice I think your right I'll just go to our next meeting and be honest about why I think things need to be changed. I love the classroom participation idea I think that it can be easily introduce into or program with a minimum amout of resistance and it still would meet my goal of involving more kids in our celebration. Thanks again

I think your thread is getting derailed.

The way to make the change is to be honest and straightforward about your reasons for doing so and just do it.

If there is a committee running the fund raiser, discuss it there. Otherwise, do it at your regular meeting.

Anonounce that you are planning to make some changes to the big fundraiser and encourage people to attend. If an overwhelming majority wants things the same, maybe you should reconsider.

Some people will likely be opposed to the change. They will think that rewarding participation is important.

Just as many or more will likely agree with you.

Your first test as a leader.


As an aside, I don't see a problem with a party/incentive for those who meet a minimum level of participation, especially if that is set really low. A whole school goal is a fine idea, too. It just depends what you think will work at your school.

We do a classroom incentive (50% participation gets the class in) and a minimum sales incentive (a few items) as well as the company's individual incentives.

Yes we did believe that individual prizes should be award. Our top prize is a razor scooter. However we also thought that since as a group our children are raising over $30,000 they should be awarded as a group for reaching that goal. Thanks for the advice I'll take anymore suggestions you all might have.

By the way what a wonderful effort from your daughter I hope she enjoys her new bike.

highlandmom

Every coin has 2 sides. Let me tell you a story...

A couple of years ago we had a family at our school whose Mom underwent foot surgery and was bedridden for 13 weeks. Right before the surgery, the Dad's industry crashed as a trickle down from 9/11. The family was existing at below the poverty level for our area. The Daughter really wanted a bike but the Mom & Dad had NO extra funds for such an "extravant gift" and were disappointed. Along came the school fundraiser and the top selling girl & boy would win a bike. The Girl asked if she worked very hard could she win the bike. The parents agreed, but only if SHE did the selling (with Dad along). When the winners were announced, the Girl had outsold the next child by 2-1 and was so proud that SHE did it and was able to help HER school get some much needed equipment.

The same school had a "celebration" for all the kids in the school for meeting the goal and that is where they announced the winners.

That little girl learned she could accomplish anything if she worked hard enough (lesson most kids today need to learn, that you can't get something for nothing. Her best friend received a bike as a present and the best friend's mom was heard to say, "we'll just wait until after the sale and buy the product at cost because the school will need to get rid of it."

Our school also acknowledges those students and classes who raise the most funds for charity (diabetes walk, pennies for patients, etc).

It's not the size of one's family or wallet but the determination to make a difference/contribution.

And if you're wondering if the story is true, you'll have to ask my daughter when she finishes riding her bike...

GaMom is right. Start the discussion by saying the focus for this year is inclusion. That you hope to use the best fundraiser in the school to show that attitude...be effusive in your praise of the teacher for runnning the program and show her that you really appreciate what has been done in the past. Let her know that you are hoping to set an overall goal and track by grade success in the sales, or by a big thermometer--how the school as a whole is doing and celebrating that success of the whole at the end of the sales period. The goal of your PTO is to build community where every child feels a part of the success and has their spirit lifted by the efforts of the PTO. How can someone not buy into that....but be prepared to have someone else take over the fundraiser if the teacher is simply not able to be a part of the overall concept. Some folks just cannot stand the idea of change and become very attached to their pet projects. That in and of itself is a time for change in my mind. But again, if she says she cannot assist this year given the new "flair" that your group is pursuing, then praise her for her assistance in the past and her ability to mentor the next chairman who is more comfortable with the goals of the group. Just don't make it personal or sound like the teacher made other kids feel bad.

Congrats to you and your board for elevating the spirit of your school. I read a quote on here that I think is a PTA quote that says something like "When the water level rises...all the little boats go up!" THAT's what our groups should be all about!!!

d