Since I'm the person who does our PTO website, I came up with a teacher's Wish List incentive plan. It costs me nothing but has lots of potential value to the teachers.
Every teacher at the school can get a "Wish List" on our school website. However as an incentive I will give them quarterly or monthly updates to the Wish list. Since the plan is to have a committee dedicated to trying to get the Wish List items, this could REALLY pay off for the teachers.
At our school we use "Privlege Cards" since any parent of a child attending our school it automatically a "member" of our PTO. The Privlege Card costs $5 and entitles holder to a discounted fee to our events (Pancake Breakfast, Movie Night, Sock Hop, Scrapbook Crop etc). On the back we put our calender of events and meeting schedule.
You can purchase blank business cards at any office supply and print them in Word. They have templates built in for just about every kind of blank business card. Create a basic card with the name left blank and print. Write in the names as needed.
We do a couple of things for incentives:
1st) When someone joins (teacher, parent, anyone), they will receive an envelope full of coupons as well as their membership card. These coupons are from neighborhood restaurants that donate them to us. Examples are: Free Frosty from Wendy's, Free kids meal to Jason' Deli, Red Robin and Chick Fi La, ice cream from Baskin Robbins, Sonic and McDonalds. $5.00 off total bill from Red Robin. Our dues are $5.50, but the value of the coupons far outweighs the cost of membership.
2nd) Members get special incentives as well. All who join get their name in a hat for fabulous prizes (spirit items, and prizes we've received from fundraising companies - even a television one year). They also can present their membership card at different events and get something free. A hotdog at our movie night. Free tickets at the carnival. Free drink at the game night. Anything you want. You could offer a "reserved parking space" at a school event (draw a different name each event), a "cut to the front of the line" at parent pick up (draw a different name each week). A non-uniform day to all those whose parents joined. So many things.
For teachers - ask the principal what they could get. Leave when the kids leave one day. A special thank you reception for them one morning before school. Have a drawing for those who join gets a free day off - the school provides the sub. "extra" recess for the teacher.
This day and age, everyone wants something for their money. I wish all people understood that the membership fees go to help the school out and directly gives back to their own students. But unfortunately, just receiving a "membership card" doesnt cut it. Our membership does increase when incentives are offered. Good luck.
We print out cards on cardstock with our school name, the year, and blank lines for the member name. On the back, we have a listing of all the PTO meetings (which are events like math night and reading night, etc) with the dates.
We sell water bottles at the begining of the year and every member who bought a water bottle can get a free refill at the fall carnival we do in october. not a huge perk, but helps.
Our PTO Board just had a meeting, and our teacher representative brought up an interesting point. She said at their faculty meeting one of the teachers asked what the "BENEFITS" were to paying dues to become a member of PTO.
At our school, everyone is invited to the PTO meetings or to all the school events sponsored by the PTO. So - we were trying to come up with ideas that would be for "Members Only" or some benefit.
Also - we have never had "membership cards" and would love to start those. Do any of you have card ideas to share?
