Ha, NEW BABY, you mean I could have used that one????
We find our chairs at our first meeting of the year. Of course, by the time that the later events roll around, people start losing interest and I usually end up being the chair.
We kinda have the same problem in our school. I am still a newby kinda. I was secretary this year and not sure what I am going to be next year yet (elections are this week!). I was wondering if anyone would share their list of events to chair or lists of different committees that you have at your schools. I want to try to get a bunch of stuff organized for our back to school '07. Thanks so much!
Although I would like to, our PTO doesn't focus on finding chairpeople for our events. There just aren't enough people willing to step up. That leaves 3 of us overworked for the entire school year. We always manage to find volunteers for our events, but no one wants the responsibility of taking charge of anything.
oh, and another thing.. here's one of my posts from the fall.. it better explains our thoughts behind " volunteer opportunities"... We choose this method over the " threatening" to drop programs method.. and find our positive approach works well... so, below is a copy of my own post on these boards:
We have just started a new " technique" and it is working VERY well for us. Instead of the usual cattle-calls via email and newsletter that say " we need help.. we can't do this event without help" and blah blah blah.. we have started offering " Volunteer Opportunities".
We will send out an email prior to events and list the " opportunities".. like for a santa's workshop helper.. we might say here's what needs to be done, any xyz hours and days.. and then add " anyone with retail experience?"...
we also list all the prep stuff that needs to go on before an event,- ( you know, all that stuff WE do that makes an event go smoothly)
Well, what a difference this has made. People are stepping up like crazy.. and here's why:
1. We are OFFERING something to them ( the opportunity to share in the giving to our school).. NOT begging them to be our " helpers".. which, can be intimidating, and they don't want to be " worker bees" for other people.
2. We are offering VERY concise jobs, with finite responsibilities, with a time frame that they can fit into their lives.. Asking for " blanket help" scares the daylights out of people because they feel like they will get sucked into the vortex we all know as PTO Volunteers!
TRY IT! Start selling your events to YOUR parents as " opportunities".. it's amazing how the point of view will change!
PresidentJim;131987 wrote: I would recommend just trying to focus on the events that are planned towards the start of the school year, such as Open House and such. This would give you time to get new membership or talk with some of your active members.
I have found that most members are nervous about taking chair responsibilities. We tried a team approach this year for many events and programs and this seems to have really worked well. In this way you can couple the mentor program (taking an experienced member and pairing them up with a new member) with the team approach. A new member is more likely to step up if it is with their mentor than if it is by themselves.
Good luck,
PresidentJim
Jim, we do the same thing.. and we offer events as ' Volunteer Opportunities".. people run for the hills when they hear the words CHAIRPERSON because they think it will be too much of a responsibility.. but.. when you have a meeting or send out a flyer regarding an " opportunity" and you get a vibe that someone is really enthusiastic about it... you STRIKE while the iron is hot.. and invite them to be the chair.
Another thing, personal invites do wonders for egos.... people like to be asked... and when you ask in person, it's tough for people to say no to the busiest volunteer at school! Always add that you and the officers are there for support, and they ( the new chairpeople) will never really be flying solo!
