bring yourself, your willingness to get involved, your desire to inspire others to volunteer and a pen & paper to write down the great ideas you have and what others will share.
Be willing to help and make suggestions, but hold off on any assumptions until you get a feel for things.
The exisiting officers tread a fine line balancing "it's always been done this way" with new ideas. Sometimes there are reasons a seemingly good idea just won't work or there is valid history to support it's not a good option for that group. Other times they simply fall into comfort zone.
For instance, we tried selling school supplies (twice) and it was a disaster. Our parents just weren't interested. So for several years, that would always come up as an idea at one of the first meetings and we'd say "no". Yet about 5 years later, it WAS tried again, became a success and is now an annual activity.
I remember attending my first PTO meeting and being shocked to discover they didn't really have general meetings, just board meetings. Turns out that was mostly a good thing. Over time, we formalized it, so the board making decisions was very large as to be representative of the parents. And we formally hosted one general meeting in the fall and one in spring. But the original concept was valid - our parents don't want monthly meetings.
Things always seem strange in the first meeting of everything. Established friendships and workgroups are not necessarily exclusive cliques.
So the posters above are absolutely right - an open mind is probably the best thing you can bring.
Welcome to the wonderful world of parent groups.
I agree with bringing the supportive, open and willing mind. And also a notepad and pen may come in handy. Also a calendar to mark upcoming events, etc.
Enjoy and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Welcome. I would say the best thing you can take to a PTO meeting is a supportive, open and willing mind. Everything won't suit you, but some things will. Don't get discouraged easy and attend as many meetings as you can.
Can anyone tell me what to expect at a PTO meeting? I have never been to one and I don't want to go in blind. Is there anything I should bring? My daughter is in first grade and this is the first one of the year.
