My group meets on a monthly basis. I just feel that we have so much going on that a monthly meeting is needed.
My best recommendation would be to set up a meeting with your Executive members, and possibly even a second one with the Principal. I would suggest doing this prior to your monthly meeting. Go through everything that your group does normally for the year. Find out from those involved what has worked, what does not, what needs improvement, etc. Then talk about areas where you feel your group is lacking. It may be that you guys don't do enough family events. It may be that you need to raise more funds. It may be that you need to support more enrichment, such as Field Trips or equipment. It may be multiple things...
Write down all of these things. Try to determine your yearly timeline for everything your group does.
Effectively define your prioritieis for the year. This way at the first meeting you can start off by discussing your new priorities. My first year my priorities were to increase communication and to increase membership. Then I explained some of my ideas, such as getting the monthly newsletter going and creating a new website.
KByrd--congrats and welcome. The good news is you're now a member of a very select group; the bad news is--you're the junior member (hahaha).
My suggestion-start with your board. Have a very informal meeting (but do have an agenda to show you're organized) introduce yourself and then see what the goals are that your group would like to set for the year (events, fundraisers, programs). This doesn't have to be a decision meeting, just a brainstorming session so all the ideas can come out. You can do this at the PTO meeting level--but sometimes those groups are too large and it is better to come to them with a list of ideas that have been approved. You can solicit those ideas from the larger group if you have an email outreach (which I think is incredibly important to communicate with your parents).
Next--look at the list realistically, discussing how reasonable it is to accomplish them all, and then list them in order from "Really want to do" to "if we have time".
I'd take that list, with your VP, and then set up a meeting with the Principal to see what his/her goals are for the group and you can do an exchange. You may find that he doesn't like your #1 idea but loves #32....okay...this is where dialogue, compromise and team building come in.
Once you have your list-work the calendar and see where things can lay down and from there--it is a lot of Chairperson finding, backward planning, organizing, budgeting, resourcing and sleepless nights.
This is obviously a very rough overview--but is a good way to get things started.
Oh and did I mention, become an expert with your bylaws. They may outline when you need to have meetings (ours are quarterly at least). Also stay open but stay firm. Your job is to say yes a lot and to say no without ever uttering that particular word. The president's position is an artful one that allows a velvet glove to wield a hammer.
Check out these boards and if you want to find out something do a search using the search link at the top right.
Good luck and come back often to share you're successes and frustrations..this is a terrific place to vent and celebrate (check out page 2 for a bit more around the world discussion).
:confused: I was just named our PTO Pres. I am really excited!! But I have not idea where to start?!! How often does the group meet? I have lost of ideas for fundraisers but need help on the first PTO meeting for this year.
Would love to hear anything you are willing to share with me!!
