Last year (my first year in PTO) we didn't have any specific goals set. This year; however, I am going to bring the issue up. Our playgrounds still have mulch and I would like to see them "rubberized" instead. Another idea that was brought up is to purchase welcome mats with our logo on them.
I agree with LUV that parents may be more apt to participate in fundraising if they can "see" where the money is going.
Angela, I know what you mean about parents not seeing where the money is spent, but most of us spend our funds on the things that are taken for granted. We spend 1/3 of our budget on discretionary funds. That's a lot of money for the classroom but most parents will never know unless they come to a meeting or ask how the money is spent. For my first year I kept pushing to try to make or spendatures more visible in hopes that more parents would participate in our group and its sales but this wasn't the case and now we focus more on the behind the scenes stuff, like supporting family reading night and the carnival, to try to give back. By not spending a ton on playground equipment or landscaping, we can spend money on field trips and entertainers and things that will make a lasting impression for the students and staff. I know every group has different needs but if you want to change how money is spent, speak up and see if you really need to spend certain amounts every year.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
This is where we run into problems.... I know that over the years, parents have gotten frustrated with the PTO because they don't "see" where the money goes. Before school even starts every year we are already committed to "spend" $18,600.00 ($1,000 to Athletics, $8,000 to Technology, $2,000 to RIF, $6,600 to Fine Arts and $1,000 for Staff Appreciation). I would love to raise money for something "specific" like a shade structure (which our lower playground desperately needs) or a marquee sign, but those are high dollar items and we are already "commited" to other things.
I would also like to bring some more "FUN" to the school without families always being expected to "pay" for it (maybe they would be more willing to participate?).
We plan our goals for the next year by the end of the last year. For the last 2 years we planned to update our playgrounds. This year our goal is to update all the tvs in the class rooms.
We have found that by letting parents know what the money is being raised for helps with participation.
That is another crucial part of the planning-a time frame in which to achieve the goal you set. For example, it may take 2 or 3 years to get enough money for a big playground project, but you can pay for a computer with one little fundraiser. Match your goal to the fundraiser.
