For the health of the organization as a whole, it's best if key positions have term limits. No one person should be holding executive positions for more than 2-3 years... less if at all possible. While your wealth of knowledge due to your history with the PTO is extraordinarily valuble, encouraging fresh blood to take over the reins and lead at regular intervals through term limits creates a stronger board and PTO overall.
This is my fourth year as president, I was secretary before that. I get burned out a lot and my officers have changed almost every year!
The PTO also does the Box Tops/other labels contest. This keep something different going on, we change the prizes, etc.
We usually do a spring carnival, fall festival or booth. we do a haunted house with the 8th grade during the school day. (our school is k-8) We sponsor dances and game nights.
We have several sale during the year, including a spirit wear sale.
We don't do the mom/dad/grandparents events. A teacher who tutors always does it as a way to show what the kids are doing.
The only advice i have is take a break! no matter what we do, it's better than if the PTO was not there. So if you're burned out, you're still providing events that others are going to feel exciting until you think of something new.
We have had the wizards come to our school several times. Everyone has a great time. It's worth it.
Ideas for you to try at your school-
Childrens auction: Ask families to donate new toys and gently used items such as books. Make sure that they are age specific to your school. Put them out 'tricky tray' style, numbered etc. Give each child a sheet of tickets (from party city) for them to put into each bag next to the item. Offer snacks and juice, do contests (jelly beans in a jar) etc. After 30 minutes of preview, run the 'auction'. Have the students or teachers do the calling. Should last about 90 minutes from start to finish. Parents clean out their homes, kids get something new and everyone has a nice night out.
Crop night - offer parents a night to come out, scrapbook, exchange ideas with other parents. Can bring in vendors to sell as well. Offer coffee and water. Minimal charge. Could expand to mother daughter evening out. Godd function for dead of winter.
Go Green - sponsor the planting of garden at your school. Very project based... kids do most of the work, parents oversee it. Kids can design the garden, research the amendments needed for the soil, get your local cooperative extension involved, fencing, weeding, harvest... all kinds of functions can be distributed to the students. Once you are able to harvest, either sell the produce or give to cafeteria to serve at lunchtime. Can do flower garden as well, with small bouquets sent home at mother's day.
Well-what I did was stop for a while. You guys are not able to do that as much like the pig in a bacon and egg breakfast - you're commited to the event. Having said that--do something fun like have a margarita night with some of your regulars, or a coffee and kahlua breakfast or maybe start a walking group with some of the regulars so you can get a break from the same old thing. Also--take time to be with the kids, get on the morning announcements, stand up in front of the next awards ceremony and start a PTO spirit award. Just do something to connect with the children you're assisting and don't be afraid to let the principal know you need a morale boost (or say your team does) and let THEM come up with something for you guys. Nothing big--but something you can have as a deposit for everything you do. Next time you have an event...don't stay there and just run things...talk to the kids and see if they're having fun. Don't worry about meeting population--maybe they're not coming cause they trust you! Don't beg for volunteers, just commandeer the person as they walk in the room (I didn't that exact thing once for our Holiday Craft Night).
Next board meeting--have a "Great things we've done" word search and time who can finish it first.
Just relax, breathe in and don't, DO NOT, punish yourself. Maybe next year, step back for a while. Even if NO ONE ELSE STEPS UP. You've done your part and reflect on that. You're no good to the kids if this become drudgery.
This is my 3rd year as president, and I face the same old thing every year. No one shows up to meetings, and we have to beg for volunteers. This year, I am faced with a new dilemma. Our PTO secretary and vice president quit! Now I am all alone to run the PTO. What a bummer!
