Our board (5 officers plus principal) meets monthly during the day. We also have monthly general meetings most months Sept-May (no December). June is a volunteer appreciation program instead of a "meeting". This year we scheduled 3 of our general meetings for daytime, otherwise they are at 7:00 pm. Alot of people liked the daytime meetings, but we can't switch over completely because we have a lot of working parents who want to stay up to date. Our meetings are mostly informational. We adopt a budget at the start of the year so there really arent' too many issues we need to debate/vote on throughout the year.
At each meeting, we give an update on activities, the principal talks, and committee chairs can give a report. We review the treasurer's report and the minutes. Each meeting lasts about an hour. We have very basic treats, but no childcare. Our attendance varies rather predictably throughout the year, from a high of about 40 in Sept to a low of about 15 in Jan/Feb.
WE have a PTO meeting every month, except December. Our PTO meeting are are general meetings, everyone in the school is invited to come. So far this year we have only had 2 Board Meetings. The monthly meetings are when we decide 99% of the stuff. The only time the Board has a meeting is when we have a request for funds over $500. Our Board is made up of 4 officers, any individual who chairs an event and anyone that has attended the 2 most recent PTO meetings. So our Board can change, but pretty much everyone that attends our regular meetings is on the Board.
Our middle school PTO tried inviting various student groups to perform, one per month. The performance (short, maybe 10 minutes) is strategically placed about 3/4 the way thru the PTO agenda.
We've had a few extra people attend, but I don't know that it helped much. I recall that the night the cheerleaders performed, the cheerleaders far outnumbered the adults present. So most of those parents must have just dropped the girls off at school and picked them up later.
As I explained, our elementary PTO moved several years ago to monthly Board meetings and General Meetings twice a year (or as needed). This model works well for that group. However, I do feel if you decide to go that route, your board should be as large and as representative as possible. 3 or 4 people shouldn't be controlling everything, no matter how well-intentioned.
We tied our PTA meetings to Family Fun Nights or some other activity. Works much better.
Our board meets monthly.(same day and time each month- but varies in the place).
I am the President of our PTA. We have tried to hold monthly meetings on different day, offered childcare and provided dinner. We simply have the same of dedicated parents attend our meetings. I think next year we will restructure to only hold general meetings twice a year and monthly board meetings.
Our elementary PTO has a large board (25+) that meets monthly to transact all business. They are open meetings and visitors are welcome. (We seldom get any.) Our bylaws have language something to the effect that General meetings will be held at the beginning of the year to approve the budget and in the Spring for officer elections. Other general meetings will be called by the Board as needed.
Note-in notices/publications, the monthly Board meetings are just called "PTO Meetings" or "Business Meetings" as we found that a little less intimidating to people.
Our Middle School PTO schedules meetings as needed - about every other month. They are technically general meetings, but mostly the officers just attend.
