I really like Renee's idea. I think the point is to go slowly and not come on gang busters. Maybe request a meeting with the new board and let them know how excited you are about the move and how much you can't wait to help them with their programs. Any PTO that isn't open armed to wonderful volunteers is missing a few. If however, you come off like "we did so much more than you" I suspect you'll have a hard road ahead and one that won't expand well to accomodate you. Don't judge too quickly their level of activity, may be they have different circumstance than what you are aware of.
Put together a binder of all the things you did. What worked, what didn't, what companies used, examples of letters, all formats used in planning/setting up of events.... all the treasurer's info, by-laws.....(if possible put the info on a disc,too) This is something that can be passed on each yr. & the new board can add stuff. Good Luck!!
As soon as practical, I would try to set up a getting-to-know-you meeting with the other board, or at least the Presidents. Try and keep it informal and focus on an exchange of ideas. You need to keep it non-threatening. Remember that the new school has a PTO made up of parents just as dedicated as you and they are more experienced and comfortable in how they operate, have a better feel for how the Principal will react, and know what the expecctations the existing parents already have.
Present it that the "moving parents" are involved in the school and want to integrate in as quickly as possible. Discuss what kinds of activities they normally do in a year and hopefully you will find a lot of common ground. You can then discuss some of the ones that are important to you (not too many!) and what you get out of it. Hopefully they will get the hint and offer to add some of those programs to the schedule when you join in.
An influx of 250 families is a lot to absorb at one time (it is about 2/3s the size of my school). In all likelihood, it will take you a year to get used to the new routine and understand how the school operates anyway. During that time you can volunteer to help with events, serve on committees and even chair a few.
OUr school is wonderful. Everything about it is. However growth has caused a rezoning. The masss majority of the PTO will be going to a different school with an exisiting PTO.
Myself as president, our secretary, 7 board members, and seriously 90% of our workers are all going. We've got our replacements intraining to continue the cause after we are gone.
Does anyone have any ideas what we can do to ease the transisition? Our PTO does 3 times as much as the school we will be attending. We don't want to step on anyones toes and we don't expect to be officers and board members, but we would like to continue the things we do now, like movie nights and fall fest.
I have met with the principan and assistant at our new school about a tour/reception for the parents. The guidence dept. is taking care of the kids transition.
It's hard to explain how special this group of 250 parents are and I hate to see them back off and not feel n eeded.
eeded. 