Do not get discouraged! This is the second year since I have taken over as President. Our school had a very nasty group of parents who were running things (if you could call it that) before I came aboard. It took 2 years, one to get them all to hate me because I had many idea's and a good attitude (they all quit) and 1 year to audit their mess and get it up and running as I thought it should. I took a lot of heat and nasty attitudes. They even wrote into the local paper and tried to smear me. I did not give up. This is the second year and at my last meeting I had 100 people. I had to change a ton of things, but I turned to ptotoday for help and it worked. You must change your attitude! Would you want to go to a boring cliqish meeting? So we got the idea to have theme meetings. And it works! We started with a science night and about 45 people showed up but word got out and we had 100 people attend our movie night/parent club meeting. You can do it if you ask for help. Use your resources and keep at it! Your kids are worth it. By the way, we have been getting more parents to ask us how they can help since we stopped asking "how can you help us".
I would finish your year knowing you did what you could do. As far as the money maybe there is a really great project that you could spend it on, I would however ask you to consider leaving a token amount 1500.00 in case someone does step up next year. The first thing that they shouldn't have to do is try to raise money, if they have some money then they can concentrate on getting parents involved. Good luck and remember you did make a difference...
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
We send out newsletters, reminders, notes, etc. Only 5 people show up at the meetings, with 4 being officers of the PTO and the other being the principal. It is so sad that parents don't want to help out at the school that their child attends. What message is this sending the children? Just keep doing what you are doing until your child graduates from the school.
Personally, I would try to spend as much money as you can before you leave because you worked so hard to raise it. We have a Field Day at the end of the school year. If you don't already do this at your school, it's a lot of fun. You could buy all of the kids a t-shirt, water bottles, pencils, ribbons or medals. You could easily spend several thousand dollars on this event. You could also have several programs for the children in the auditorium. The Chinese Acrobats are great! Good luck to you and remember to stop stressing about this situation. It's not worth risking your own health.
We had a period, prior to my children being at our school, where the PTO couldn't keep parents and the principal and a handful of teachers took over. When you have willing parents, this isn't the best idea, but our district requires all end of the year money go back to district so the PTO account is the only way to save money for projects or from year to year. Two years later they got parents again.
Keep in mind, lots of schools are going through what you are, including ours. Try not to feel guilty for moving on or stress out trying to recruit people. You have enough on your plate.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
When I started w/PTA 2 years ago we had the same problem of the same 3 attending the meetings and no one responding to volunteer requests. When I became Pres. I changed the meeting time to accomodate working parents. I found out the previous boards were not open to anyone else being involved,but themselves. This left a "bad taste" in parents mouth to become involved.
Have you sent out a survey???? Find out why they do not join/what is best times for meetings/what they would like for events etc.etc.
Geez, where do I start!! 2 years ago, the principal of our school decided that we needed to get the PTO going again. It had been dormant for a year because noone wanted the responsibility. I agreed with the understanding that I was going to need help. Here I am, 2 years later and the only people showing up to meetings are myself and the principal. I am now every officer in the organization. I have tried many different ways to recruit to no avail. Everyone is "too busy" or doesn't want to have anything to do with it.
This is my last year as my son is moving on to Jr. High. We have raised tons of money for the school, but there is no appreciation whatsoever.
Do we disband or go dormant? If noone will come to the meetings now, how do I decide what to do with the money at the end of the year????
