Contrary to some people's opinions, I think some amount of competition is good. Face it, it is a competetive world out there. While I do not think that any child should sell door to door without their parent (My son was top for our jog-a-thon this year and last; did door to door and he did all the talking, but I walked the whole way with him)
If you are going to offer an incentive, there should be something for every child that participates. We did water bottles and juice bars during the jog a thon and we have also had participant ribbons. I think this, in addition to tiered prizes is good. Make the first tier somewhat easy to reach (our first tier was $25-$50) and some small prize for that tier and so on. All PTAs have that discouragement for reasons like you mentioned and because kids aren't supposed to be used as fundraisers but if you do something like a jog-a-thon (healthy, physical activity) Read or Spell a thon (academically motivated) then they are getting something even more out of it.
This was my first year doing fundraising. Afer one year I think giving prizes are a good thing but depending on what type of prizes and what they are receiving them for. As far as fundraising things like a brochure sale I think its good, its an incentive. I don't like the 'you sell 5 items and get A, 10 items and it's A&B...' and so on which is what we did this year. Next year I plan on changing that to things like if you participate period you get to go to a school party after school. Or top 5 sellers gets to have lunch with the principal and their teacher, get a gift certificate for so much money to spend at the book fair the library holds. Just items like that, and I'm not sure if i'll arrange the prizes. We held a beach party in January with a DJ. All the kids who came got a lei and some school supplys to restock up on. So basically I really do think its a good idea to give prizes but the prizes you give are what's the important part.
Kmamom, I'm with you on the prizes. How many adults would work really, really hard without the promise of a bonus or paycheck? Unfortunately, the tragedy with the child could happen whether a prize is offered or not. We always tell the kids and send letters home not to sell anywhere without their parents.
As an example, the year before last we sold chocolate bars with no prizes offered. At the end of the sale, we had about 100 cases to unload. This year, we offered prizes, and we ran out of chocolate bars before the sale was over. Isn't that why we waste so much money at carnivals? Kids want prizes!
Our state PTA(NJ) strongly discourages any sort of prize or incentive for fundraising events (there was an incident several years ago where one school offered a bike as a prize; a child went door to door and was killed by a neighbor's son). While I understand the philosophy of not wanting kids to do anything crazy or dangerous to get the prize, or not wanting the prize to be the focus, I think not offering any sort of incentive is asking a lot of kids--let's face it--civic duty isn't exactly high on most of their lists of lessons to learn yet!
Opinions please! I'd like to have some replies to use in future meetings!
and was killed by a neighbor's son). While I understand the philosophy of not wanting kids to do anything crazy or dangerous to get the prize, or not wanting the prize to be the focus, I think not offering any sort of incentive is asking a lot of kids--let's face it--civic duty isn't exactly high on most of their lists of lessons to learn yet!