many grade levels can encourage dads to come in a read, be a part of career day, help out on field day and at any winter carnival as well. We got quite a few dads help out at our fair in February and we put a special thanks to all the dads that participated and put pictures of the events highlighting the dad's on our PTO bulletin board. We included the line in our memos asking for volunteers "be a hero to your child and volunteer"

Its the same with all groups find out what, where, when, why?

then change the perception that PTwhatever isnt just for Mom

some ideas that work for some wont work for others- getting dad involved

As a 'Token Dad', it is easier it seems once one of us gets onboard --

Talk to the dads, do Donuts with Dads, find out what would get them interested/ involved -- I'd stay away from only focusing on the coach and tools stuff for dads (yes many like it and it a good way but dont make it the only focus)

Last year was my first year as PTO President, and I think my being involved, as a dad, helped break the "ladies only" concept.

More important though we started to provide elementary age childcare during the meetings. Think about it this way...

The men that are most likely to get involved are the ones who have wives that are involved. If someone has to stay home with the kids then it's going to be the dad, while the active PTO mom goes to the meeting. But once we started providing the childcare all of a sudden one other dad (a husband of an active PTOer) showed up, then another, and now we have four very active male PTO members, one of which even volunteered to be Treasurer this year, while I am continuing my role as President.

I'm was actually worried about the impression of the "men taking over" when one inquired about being the V.P.

Anyway, this new involvement has been great. With these new members we actually ran a Golf Tournament fundraiser and a couple of poker tournament fundraisers, things that we have never done before. These have proven to be extremely profitable.

So give the childcare a try, it's really worth say $20 a month, if you can't get it free. We worked with a local college outreach program, but at times used a member's own sitter when needed.

The added males may be partly due to my involvement, but I know that without the childcare these three other guys could not be involved as they are now.

Good luck,
PresidentJim

Another school in our district has started Watch DOGS (Dads Of Great Students).

From their website they describe it as: provide a positive role model for students,help monitor playgrounds, read within individual classrooms, and provide sense of security.

I think we are going to discuss something along this line for our school at our first meeting.

When we took our PTSA Youth Leadership Team on the annual retreat, they came up with a very unique idea. We haven't done it yet-- but I'll share it and let you decide what you think.

Our group of boys came up with the idea of having an old car at Back-to-school Night and each membership will receive 3 swings at the car. There will be certain spots on the cars (we decided to have 2 in the front of the school) that will have rewards and bonuses attached for the first person to hit that spot.

It's a different idea and not really my 'thing', but for a town that loves it's famous Demolition Derby-- I think it just might work! I'll let you know how it goes!

By the way-- moms and girls will also get to swing at the cars. It was surprising how excited the girls and PTA Moms were to get in on the action!

I don't know if this will help you think but I just wanted to share, last month we did our very first Donuts With Dad event, our new vp (who is a guy) was totally in charge of it. I handed the whole thing over and said that he also had to be prepared to address the group.
Well him being in the fore front and the talking made a difference in some dads heads. How do we know that? Because at the end they were asking they can do to help out, our vp talked about two hours is something so dont feel like you dont have time. It was amazing how many seeing him connected with that male figure. I am anxious to see this fall and we will continue to have this dad be in front, he has volunteered for years, and has drawn men in so this year will be a test.
We did see an increase last year of males after we did the 2 hour pledge, sometimes they help with fundraising distribution, game day, sporting events versus staff, carnival type events. Also even being a guest reader, last year for read across america week we focused on local people trying to hit different careers, we had a plumber come in whose kids go to our school and the kids LOVED him, he had a plant manager, a electrian, things like that. That is a easy way to get male figures in. Guest speakers, field trips.
I would get one or two dads who are dynamic and just push...I have to say it is nice seeing those faces.