I didn't read all the replies so I hope I don't sound repeitive.

We do all the regular stuff minutes, reports read, old and new business. Which does seem like a lot of fundraising. We also mention in newsletters and meetings how the money benefited us and how much the students enjoyed it. We also have a slot for "PTO related topics not on the agenda" pretty much a free for all.

I really fish for input when discussing anything on the agenda, sometimes I feel like Ferris Bueller's teacher "Anyone? Anyone?" but I feel like this will make our members feel more comfortable with asking questions or suggestions and hopefully helps with the rut of all the normal business.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> JHB I wasn't sure if you meant "agenda" as the template for the meeting or as underlying direction of the group, so I tried to hit both. <hr></blockquote>

Thank you so much for both views. I like the ideas and will use some of them to help me in the direction of our PTO monthly meetings! I love that we can share so much here! Great information!

LUVMYKIDS wrote:

&lt;&lt;We have also been involved in curriculum changes ... We've begun to look at more than what can we BUY and more at what can we DO to make our school a better place. &gt;&gt;

Can you expand on these two things? What kind of curriculum changes have you explored? I would love to do something about the exhorbitant amount of time the school(s) spend "teaching to the test" each year. (A whole other subject I won't elaborate on here.)

I'd also be interested in any ideas you've come up with on things you can DO vs. what you can BUY. This seems to be a rut our PTO has fallen into as well.

Thanks!
Sheila
PTO Co-Pres

Last school year we eliminated membership dues and the "joining" process and just said that every parent with a child in "X school" and every staff member are considered members of the PTO and can get involved to whatever extent the feel comfortable. This made it all the more important to communicate what the PTO does and needs. We have volunteer programs, teachers' discretionary fund, and pay for many special programs. In the pamphlet we distributed at registration and the monthly newsletter we talk about what we do and our successes. Lastly, we talk about what it takes to pay for it all. We try not to make fundraising the "main topic" of meetings by empowering the board to pretty much make the selection of the fundraisers(we sort through the choices and make a recommendation).
As for other areas to be involved in: we consider any issue that effects students as something we want to be involved in. For example, this year we are already working on a playground-and I don't mean just money and which slide to buy. We just expanded and also took in the special needs programs so we are planning the whole playground with the school district. We are getting into ADA compliance, environmental impact, reduction in the number of overweight children, and how to make a playground where ALL the children can play together. We are also involved in trying to get the city and school district to upgrade the street in front of the school so sidewalks can be installed for the whole area(we have kids who currently walk in a very busy street to get to school). This one's a real educational experience-I love politics and asking people for big $.(just joking there!!) We have also been involved in curriculum changes and construction plans-I had to give a speech on logic in relation to putting a large heating duct through the center of a classroom without insulating around it for noise reduction. So I guess I just want to say that the PTO can be more involved than just fundraising and spending the money. We've begun to look at more than what can we BUY and more at what can we DO to make our school a better place.

I wasn't sure if you meant "agenda" as the template for the meeting or as underlying direction of the group, so I tried to hit both.

Our group is a bit different as we gave up on general meetings long before I became active. Instead, we have a large Board (25-35) people who meet monthly for a business meeting. That meeting is open to anyone and well publicized. We only have general meetings twice a year, in August to approve the budget and in May to elect officers.

So while monthly attendance isn't an problem(thank heavens!), the same core issues remain. How do you get your message across to the parents, build credibility, and instill a sense of cooperation and ownership?

I'm no longer President, but when I was, I found we had to be very savvy about how we presented ourselves. Here are some things to consider:

1) Communication is key. We started a monthly newsletter that really made a difference.

2) Be smart about your message. It's so easy to get trapped into focusing on what you NEED. If you aren't careful, every note that goes home, every notice in the newsletter is asking for something. Take equal time to shout your accomplishments and milestones. It's not bragging, it's congratualting the parents on THEIR success and showing them how critical their help is and that it pays off.

3) Do NOT let your organization be seen as a fundraising machine. Both blatently and subtly I constantly sent the message: "Our number one purpose is volunteerism. Here are our priorities (list). As you can see fundraising is about #4. It is not the reason we exist, just one tool we use to meet out goals."

We didn't want a distinction in PTO and non-PTO events. If something was happening in the school that required volunteers, we played a role.

4)Make sure people understand there is room for everyone to help. List tasks big and small. Someone can't come up to school, maybe they could make a few calls or write thank you notes.

5) Have no qualms about applying a little pressure via the kids (in a positive way). Single out children of volunteers and be very verbal about congratulating them on their mom/dad's help. (Obviously, you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.) But make it "cool" for the kids that their parents are in PTO. Add some perks. We have times where classes win a snowcone party, so 2 or 3 of our 30 classes are rewarded. But, if your mom is dishing out snowcones as a PTO volunteer, you get one, even if you aren't in the winning class. On a hot Texas day, being the only kid in your class with snowcone has impact.

6)Make sure you have a well-promoted list of accomplishments to use at the end of one year and beginning of the next. Even when your officers are just talking, teach them to be careful how they state things. Do not let people say that "we raised $10,000 (or whatever) this year". That makes the money the goal and affects your image. Focus on what you donated, how many field trips you funded, equipment you bought, volunteer hours provided, safety issues you affected.

It's really about marketing. Build an image of an organization your parents are proud to join.

This addresses the larger issue of membership and participation, not necessarily how many attend the meetings. Some of others have some great ideas for that part with programs, speakers, door prizes, etc.

Good luck!

[ 12-18-2002: Message edited by: JHB ]</p>

We read the minutes, approve them for the record, as well as the treasurer's report. Then each chair gives a report of what is planned for the next month or two. We also might talk about concerns about the school or education in general. For example, our district is losing alot of money in funding next year so we are in the process of sending home a flyer to all parents explaining the situation and asking them to write to their representatives in Austin (we are in Tx).

HTH,
Lisa @ Tx