cruzandfamily... are those the only fundraisers that your school puts on.... that would be the fundriasers for 2 months at our school. We do have too many going on at our school-- but teh funds needed to be raised to support all that we do is quite a bit.... We need to find things that families can support, but that they get something useful out of it and at a cost they can afford-- so they feel they are supporting the school without spending their mortgage money.... Love the flower bulb sale idea-- we haven't done that-- we do have 2 movie nights a year though-- more of a fun night-- we make onyl a little bit... ssomething to think about

I am new to the PTO circuit...but I love what our school does. We have a mum (flower) sale in the fall, a basket auction incorporated with a family movie night in the winter, and a seedling/plant sale in the spring. People are going to buy the flowers and plants for their gardens, so why not support their school?

I have always felt the best way to infuse new ideas into the organization is at a open organization meeting so other parents have the opportunity to hear your ideas and comment with the board present. It is too easy for a board member to sweep an email into the circular file and never mention it in a meeting or to other board members if they truely do not support it. Got for it and voice your ideas in an open meeting.

Thanks for all of your responses! I have actually emailed the Fundraiser Chair about alternatives to the paper wrapping paper, etc. same stuff every year, but all I got back was keep the ideas coming. I explained that some parents can't solicit things at work, etc. They do have a mailbox outside of the school office, but the majority of parents do not come in the school to see it or put something in it unless there is a function. They do have a website but hardly anyone has logged on-they have how many visitors have gone to it.
I have decided to run for an office for next year, I have always belonged as a member and a volunteer, but parents are not getting into it because it is the same thing year after year. So wish me luck. And I will suggest a survey for next year's fundraisers.

Sending out surveys is always great. Shows the organization is willing to openly communicate and looking for ideas even if response is low ... at least you tried. Bring up your idea at a meeting but be aware of any board politics; if they haven't changed up the fundraisers for quite a while their could be some reisistance from long time members. If at first you don't succeed try, try again. Good Luck!

We have sent out survey's before and not really gotten a response which is frustrating because we are an 800+ student body elementary school