Barbara-
You raise a really good point. PTOs or PTAs want to be approachable and friendly and sometimes the jargon works against this goal. Robert's Rules terms add a whole other dimension to the jargon! Here is an Ask Elly piece that I think you will like that speaks to this: www.ptotoday.com/ask-elly?view=question&question=10388
I had a parent, who is a new committee member, contact me with a frustration yesterday. During the course of the exchange she made the comment that parents feel like the PTO is "speaking Greek" most of the time and therefore tune us out.
That phrase stuck with me because encouraging a more positive perception of the PTO among the parents has been a major goal. It reminded me of when I managed hotels and how we used to strive to train desk clerks not to use "hotel lingo" when conversing with a guest since majority of the time the guest had no clue what the "lingo" meant. It also reminded me of a meeting I was in recently for the long range planning of the county schools where I live. I left with a list of items to research once I returned home because I had no clue what was meant by some phrases since my background is not in education and the majority of those present have that type of background so fully understood what was being discussed. It was frustrating to say the least.
So... that being said. What are some phrases that parent groups may use, without realizing it, that are like Greek to the none PTO parent?
What acronyms, or phrases, do we (meaning parent group leaders) use that may leave that impression?
What are some non-verbal ways that parent groups may be speaking "Greek" to parents?
What steps has your organization taken to help prevent/resolve this problem?
What are some ideas that might help to change that perception, especially if it is all ready present and strong?
How many times do you think organizations chalk items up to parents not caring/wanting to be involved when in reality maybe it is they don't understand what is being asked of them?
