I agree Communicate & Communicate again. Sounds like you're doing that so asking why it isn't working is a good question.
With our PTO we were always asking for a "chair person" and got little response. When we started asking for committee members - overwhelming numbers said yes.
Another sticking spot it asking for the "general" we need volunteers. We now make sure we're telling specifics. IE: the start time & ending time of the event, how many people needed for each time slot and that if we get enough volunteers, no one is expected to be there the whole event. I think that has also been a significant reason for our increased volunteers. No one feels like they have to give up the whole afternoon/evening to volunteer and will have time to enjoy the event with their kids as well as spend time volunteering.
I'm like dlf, I run the website (
Lake Center PTO
) and also write up the Newsletter. So I make sure we're thanking people for their time. I also try to make it so others know we're having fun while we volunteer, it's not a hard, boring job.
I don't necessarily hand write out thank you's to people, but I do make sure that when I see them that I thank them again and reach out to talk with them at other events or in the hallways, etc.