I am hoping you could help me help PTO's. I am a stage hypnotist that performs educational and entertainment shows for schools. These are done as both assemblies and fundraisers. The show is appropriate and entertaining for both kids and adults. The educational show can cover any relevant topic that may be taking place at the school, such as bullying, substance abuse resistance, etc. I generally cover self-esteem, goal setting and positive self-talk if there is no specific topic(s) requested. The kids absorb the information better because it is interwoven in the entertainment so they don't realize they are learning. My 9-year-old still thinks the show is hysterical and he has seen it hundreds of times so I figure I am doing something right. The program can serve multiple purposes for the PTO such as a Family Night to increase parental involvement, while raising funds at the same time.
I am trying to improve what I offer and wanted to see if you could provide input that would help me improve the experience for schools and PTO's. The show takes about 3 total volunteer hours for your group to host. One the night of the show to collect money and one or two more for miscellaneous duties such as putting up posters. Here is what I provide: a 60-minute, audience participation show complete with sound system so you can hold it anywhere (auditorium, gym, multipurpose room, etc), posters, tickets, press releases and guide book with step-by-step instructions on how to best promote the show for maximum benefit. I also perform radio and newspaper interviews and puplicity stunts at no charge to improve attendance if you ask for such. I don't charge anything for the show when held as a fundraiser so there is never a concern about making money back. I am paid on a percentage of ticket sales so you can only gain by hosting the show. A show that sells about 200 tickets would net a PTO about $300 based on a $6 ticket price. 500 tickets sold would net about $1500, again for three hours of "work". You can also do a 50/50, raffle, etc, or have a "dinner and a show" night by adding a pancake or pasta dinner and significantly increase your profit, if that is the goal.
Is there anything else that I could be doing or adding that would improve the experience for your organizations? Anything that would make your job easier? The guidebook also provides a script to be read during the daily announcements at the school, sample letter to be sent home with parents to pre-order tickets and half-page flyer sample for you to runoff and give to students should you choose to do so.
Any information you can share that would improve the experice for PTO's would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, one more question. How would I go about offering this opportunity to PTO's in my area? I would like to help as many schools and students as I can.
I sincerely apprecitate all your help.
Richard "HypnoDad" Harris
