I'm in Virginia and our school does it's testing the first 2 weeks of May. I love this website so much and I really want to attend a show. I want to be home to review, have my child in bed early, and have him eat healthy. I wish you few headaches in organizing the shows for this year !
I thank YOU and YOUR CREW for all that you do for us !!

Good points, KrisAnn. Thanks.

Getting the dates exactly right is an ongoing challenge. We went much earlier in the year in 03 (first event in Dallas in February) and we had a tough time getting enough people out. We had far more attendees at all locales in 04, and all the events were later in the year. Another factor is the schedules of the exhibitors (folks who help make the conferences possible). It's a balancing act that we'll continue to work on.

One thing we've tried to do is encourage groups to send their new leaders and their "up-and-coming-leaders-to-be" to the conferences. Most groups can name the 4 or 5 non-officers who are most likely to be officers in the future. We've even had some groups bring brand new volunteers to the event and -- because of the positive vibes at the conference -- those new volunteers moved right up to leadership. Nice.

In any case, we'll keep trying to get the dates right.

Tim

I attended the Chicago conference this past year - flew in from TN - I know we were very stretched coming because of all the other actities going on and then when we came back we did not have the opportunity to share information I would have liked with the group because we were gearing up to the end of school events. Personally I would like to see a conference in a non-snowy place that would take place in January or early Feb. This would allow the ones who attend to present and implement ideas for the next year. I think this would also help Parent groups not be so weary of sending people who are getting ready to leave the organization. We learned so much that we could have used in our spring events but now have to wait until September. January/February is also one of the least busy times for our PTO in the area of activities and it is before testing.

Krisann

I agree, as a parent, I would definitely want to be home during the weeks of state assessment testing. This can be a very high stress period for the students, and it's just too important to have any disruption in the children's routines.

As a PTO member, we sometimes get involved at school supplying snacks or otherwise supporting the teachers, but that would be secondary.

Hi Tim-
We are really asked not to plan ANYTHING for the duration of CSAPs which is around six weeks total. The past couple years, Spring Break has fallen during the last part of testing so I did get to sneak a skate party in but otherwise we are asked not to plan anything.

I would need to stay home to make sure my crew sleeps and eats (my husband's job has him work many nights) to keep them ready for the next day!

Now after... I would LOVE the chance to getaway!

Survey question as we plan 2005:

How big a deal are your state testing dates when it comes to your (as a parent group leader) attending one of our conferences.

Would the day of testing be a really bad day? Why?

How about the day or two before or the day or two after? And why?

Appreciate any/all insight. Between various school vacation schedules and long weekends and testing and hotel availability, finalizing a conference schedule is like finishing a Rubik's Cube.

Tim