You do have two choices- walk away, or stay and make it better. Which one would benefit the children most? Hopefully your answer is staying. I agree with the other posts. Fins some small way in which you are welcomed to help out, and then slowly add things that you are comfortable with. Sometimes, having an 'outsider' who is so willing can be frightening to someone who has a 'head' thing going on. All you can do is try... good luck.
Keep being involved. Why don't you suggest creating a small one-page newsletter to send out to families each month giving some information on what the PTO is doing in the school. Maybe by seeing what the PTO does to enhance the students' day, parents will be more apt to donate to fundraisers and step up and volunteer.
Rather than a dinner, having a sundae party on a Friday night is a nice & easy atmosphere for parents to bring the kids. they don't feel they have to stay long, either. Each family would get a flyer as they left thanking them for attending and listing upcoming PTO events and a phone number if the parents want to come and help.
Keeping them in the dark is why they have a lack of volunteers. When you have parents like yourself that like to get involved & share the experiences with their kids, they will step up. But if they are not aware of what is going on, its an opportunity lost.
I know it is frustrating, but I would still be involved in the school. You can help out in your child's classroom, help in the office, make copies for the teachers, go on field trips, help in the lunchroom. The list goes on and on. Don't let the other parents dictate your involvement in the school. Good luck to you.
Thank you all for all your help. I did sign up to be on the PTO, I even said that I would like to be an officer. That's when I was told that they didn't need the help. Since than I spoke with the principal about the situation, and the comment about not needing help, which lead me to believe that they wanted to run it their own way. The very next day after speaking witht he principal, I received a phone call about wanting my help. I went to speak with the 'Lead Officer,' and was picking her brain about what they do, and why she feels that they don't have parent involvement. She explained to me that 'they have tried everything.' When I suggested if they have tried to have a dinner to raise money and then speak to everyone about PTO, and what it is and does. It seemed as though it wasn't something that they were willing to try. Insead she told me that they almost didn't have a PTO this year. This school is the most unorganized school we have been to. Not informative at all!!! So I work with the teacher every week, and have decided that I will help when they need me, or IF they need me. I am going to be the 'Classroom Mom.' I am involved other ways, but wanted more. So, I will go above and beyond my call of duty as 'Classroom Mom,' and see if they notice!!! Thanks again for all your help. I am still going to pick brains about the PTO, because it is a total disappointment that they don't seem willing to hear other ideas let alone hold meetings to see if anyone wants to get involved. Sincerely Thankful, Dawn
Since you are new, don't be quick to form judgement. Take it slow and keep your eyes and ears open. Speak to other parents at the school events and ask questions about how you can get involved, how do you sign up etc. If you hear anyone complain about the lack of involvement, that is the time to speak up and say you were willing to volunteer, but was told none was needed at the time.
As you find out more about how the organization is run, you can possibly take a lead role in running an event or take a position. That is when you can make a difference and change how the organization is run. Have meetings, open the lines of communication with parents, send out volunteer forms and post newsletters so parents know what is going on.
Unfortunately, there are still schools out there that have parents that want to control everything and they do shut out parents and then complain about how much work it is for them. They complain parents don't appreciate what they do; but the fact is parents don't know WHAT they do since they don't share any information with anyone. They spin their own web.
Take it slow and get your foot in the door and then make the changes when the time is right and you have made a positive name for yourself in the school and have parent support.
Beignets. Thanks for your reply I do work in my daughters classroom, but I want to do more. I don't feel that the ladies that have the PTO now have searched out all possible avenues to try to get parents involved. So that is my goal today since after speaking with the principal on Monday. I received a phone call from who other than the 'Lead Officer,' and how I can help. So we shall see what happens today. Thanks again, Dawn
