During our Spring Fling, which requires a huge amount of work, we do sometimes have one raffle jar that's for volunteers only. When a volunteer checks in at the volunteer station they get a ticket and one winner is drawn with the other items that night. (We decided it was just one ticket per person regardless of who worked what - it was just too hard to find another fair way based on hours or shifts.)

Very good feedback. You're all right. I was thinking outside the box and shouldn't have been. It's just frustrating when you see the same people volunteering all year long and others reaping the benefits. I thought this would be a good way to get some of them involved. Oh well.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Brenda

I live in a poverty level county. The majority of our kids are on free or reduced lunches. To have a scholarship of this kind to be offered would be great! Maybe I missed something just glancing through but why are PTO board members just special enough to receive this? When I was president I worked extremely hard trying to get ALL the parents to work together and put an end to the "clique myth". If we did something like this we would probably not have another parent to dart the door or a teacher to show up at a meeting. Alot of them have kids in school. Perhaps if you still offer this incentive for ALL volunteers and make it an essay contest or something like that it would come off better. I know volunteers this year who spend more hours volunteering than the pres and vp, since they both have jobs. I do think it is a good incentive, but just to offer it to a choosen few sounds like you are picking favorites.

Is this about perks for board members (which I personally totally disagree with) or is this about helping disadvantaged children? Our pto offers 50.00 per class for student welfare - usually the teacher best knows the situation - we have used it for field trip money, lunch money, and even bought a couple pairs of gym shoes. It would be nice to send all the children to "camp" - but PTO funds are to enhance the chidren's school. If you are having problems getting parents on the board you could try teachers. It is afterall Parent Teacher Organization. Just my thoughts.

While it is sometimes true that board members put in more volunteer time than the "average" parent it's A. not always the case and B. not a position taken for reward (IMO). I've been on our PTO for two years and at times I have felt annoyed, put out and down right angry at how much slack I have to pick up...however, I can quit any time. I think it is going to be more alienating to give out scholarships (ect) to the PTO board then it will spur people to join.

I have reread the posts in this thread. I didn't see any 'jabs'(okay, mine was supposed to be funny and get the point across and it may have seemed like a jab, but I swear I was just trying to put some humor into what seemed like a tough-love post), just honest answers to a question posed to them. Funny how we ask for opinions and then don't always like the opinions we get. Were you looking for honest opinions or Yes Men/Women? I know you must feel like everyone joined forces against you, but the fact is that you simply didn't like the responses. I've been there! More than once I might add. I once posted a question that received so many negative responses that I cried for days. Thing is, I asked, they gave. What's more, they were right.

In this situation, what you have proposed is a plan for personal gain (not necessarily for yourself, but for somebody) and that is illegal. You don't have to like that fact, but there it is. Instead of using bribery, you need to put together a way to catch these parents when they are fresh and new, when their children are starting kindergarten, transferring in from other schools, etc. Membership drives can attract these folks, but there is no rule that says you can't 'go get 'em'. Membership drives aren't always easy. Almost every group struggles when it comes to getting folks to step up to the plate, whether it be to be on the Board or just to get folks to volunteer. There ARE others out there, even the poorer ones, who care about their child's education and the good of the school. It is up to you to find them. It may be easier to bribe some, but is that really the kind of parent you want running the show? Think about it. The thought of someone who needed monetary Thanks with your group checkbook. Trust me, you want someone who is willing to 'give' the time, not someone who didn't have the time until there was something in it for them.

That said, there are ways to give your participating parents perks. A fundraising dinner could include their family eating for free. A carnival volunteer might get food, drink and a couple ride coupons. A basket raffle could include a free ticket or two. Don't confuse rewarding someone with bribing someone. I don't necessarily think volunteers should be rewarded. I do what I do because my children do better in school, get better treatment (like it or not...lol), I'm more apt to get the teacher of my choice, but mostly because it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling to know I've made a difference in the future of not just children, but in the world as well. No amount of money could replace that. Or the hug in the hall from a child that I've tutored when they get their first 100% on a spelling or reading test.

You see, we aren't tunnel visioned. We aren't trying to insult you or your school. We know what the law says, we know what our schools say, we know what our hearts say. I'm sorry that you feel our responses aren't what you were looking for, but they are honest and they are correct. It would be a shame for you not to come back because of this. You obviously care about your children, their school and your group. Don't let this issue be the reason you don't come back. If you could always be right, who would put up with you...lol... Sometimes we are all wrong. I know. I am wrong frequently.

But not on this...lol...

Remember, the decision is ultimately up to your group and I wish you luck in your decision. Please come back and let us know know what your group decided and how it went. Who knows? Maybe your ideas will work out fine (and you'll find a way around that pesky IRS 'not for personal gain' thing and other groups that are in your boat will be able to put the idea to use to improve their membership.

Good Luck!

[ 02-23-2004, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]