My one question would be "are you making people feel welcome if they show an interest?"
I know that my school's PTO is having a hard time building up membership as well, and I can pinpoint the ONE reason why this is happening..... lack of friendly environment.
I attempted to join a couple of years ago, and after being virtually ignored through the entire meeting I left in tears and have not been back since.
We informed our membership that the dues go toward the insurance we buy to cover the Board and everyone at Board sponsered events. We just had our back to school blast and went from 11 families last year (mostly the Board who had to pay to be on the Board and vote) to 43 of 68 families signing up the first night. If you consider that 14 families didn't make the event, we're around 80% of those that came to the event.
Maybe just explaining some of the things that have to be paid for will help convince some to join.
the magnets, tshirts and extras (the fluff) only goes so far (or doesnt work) as insentives to join.
Its having a clear defined misssion, goals and quality programs that get them to join (and changing the culture that this IS 1 of the MOST important objectives for your childs education, wellbeing etc)
Stuff (fluff) is nice but usually not the deciding factor
Talk, talk, talk, listen, listen, listen and show them the way with good quality parent and student activities/programs/educational experiences
<font size=""1""><font color="#"black"">Liberalism is not an affilation its a curable disease. </font></font><br /><br><font color="#"gray"">~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus</font><br /><br><font color="#"blue""><font size=""1"">The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is...
OneandOnly;135938 wrote: Is the car magnet the only thing that a member would get that a non-member would not? Could a non-member still purchase the car magnet?
Our members pay a $5.00 annual dues and they are added to our emergency phone chain and obtain a PTO school directory. These are not available to non members and are great incentives for parents to join.
During the first 6 weeks or so of school. Only those who become a member will get the car magnet with a 10 donation. After te membership drive we will ofer them at other school functions or in the school store,
Karmon<br />
<br>Director of Membership, PTCO<br />
<br>Henderson Elementary
Is the car magnet the only thing that a member would get that a non-member would not? Could a non-member still purchase the car magnet?
Our members pay a $5.00 annual dues and they are added to our emergency phone chain and obtain a PTO school directory. These are not available to non members and are great incentives for parents to join.
Hi Karmon--I'm not sure that any incentive is enough to get folks to join (we've gone that route as well). What I think works is offering programs that are strong enough, and goals that are clear enough that you get folks to want to join the team. Many here think that you don't even need to charge for membership and that by definition of being in the school they are in the PTO...certainly a valid approach.
Our membership has increased each year (not by huge numbers but it has increased); and I really think the crux of it is from our email program and our information sharing through our website and our newsletter. We also have a very specific target for our membership dollars that let's folks know exactly where that money goes (into our building fund for building enhancements).
Good luck--
d
