My last group had about 20 voting members. During our last meeting each year we held officer elections, spent excess funds and worked on the next year's budget. We also had it at a restaurant so there was some social time too. Because it's fun and we have lots of important business to attend to most of the voting members turn up.

I think that would be all our dreams- I think we've always done pretty good on election night- remember less than 50% of the US population votes in an election year- and 80% bitch, whine and complain afterwards.... I think we've got it pretty good with our small turnouts on PTA/PTO election nights.

I feel better knowing that you guys are pretty much in the same boat. From the tones of conversations on the board, I was picturing a room full of people voting and participating.......Or maybe that was a dream I had the other night.

we get the same 5 at elections, that come to regular meetings. the others that are there and vote, consist of the already elected board members (about 15). thats it. for a parent population of 1000.................

if it aint broke dont fix it (or change it) seems to be the MO around here.

Our meetings consist of the same parents month after month (15-20). However, when there was a posibility last year that a negative, outspoken parent wanted to run, a huge turnout came out in support of me. Since our bylaws state that you either have to attend 2 meetings or volunteer, many parents that volunteered, but aren't usual meeting attendees were able to come & vote.
Unfortunately, many feel that until it affects them, it doesn't matter. When we had to cancel our Winter Enrichment program this year due to lack of volunteers, we all of a sudden heard from parents. When trying to get volunteers for our Fun Fair event, we stated that we would have to cancel this event too if we did not have enough parent volunteers. Well, they came out from hiding and we had more than enough. Sometimes it takes some "shaking up" to wake up parents and make them aware of what they stand to lose. If you have a captive audience, that is the time to address them with a short, but valuable speech about how much the PTO needs their support by voicing their opinions & voting.

We dont have a large turnout for our elections either just a few parents. This year we have a parent for the officer positions but no has claimed being chairperson for any events. BUMMER