Thanks, Tim. As I was reading the posts in this discussion I was feeling rather insulted, but didn't want to jump in and start an unproductive argument. We have jumped through hoops(not literally but maybe that's an idea) to get more parents at our meetings. I've heard the usual comments in small numbers filtered through many sources of being a "clique" or "not feeling welcome", but the excuse I hear overwhelmingly is "I just don't feel like coming". Honesty is nice, but kind of depressing. We have increased our numbers attending meetings over these last few years, but it's not from what we do at the meetings, it's from what we do in the school: the programs we support that improve the quality of education and the events we provide that improve the quality of family time.
I've gone to polling people when I'm waiting to pick up the kids to get their opinions and feelings on things that will be discussed at our meetings. It gives us some insight and direction. So even though those parents aren't at the meeting, they are getting in their "two cents" with me as the messenger. We also use surveys to get feedback on programs and events-very beneficial.

It's been hard to ease away from stressing over meeting numbers, but as we look at the surveys and talk with parents we're hearing positive things, we have many volunteers, and we have great attendance at our events. Our measure of success is based on the number of hours of extra help our kids are getting in the classroom through our volunteer program and the quality family time our school families are enjoying at our events.

Kudos to those who can get big meeting attendance AND big volunteer hours. We all dream of seeing that someday!

Hi Michael -

Love your enthusiasm for parent group work and am glad to hear that involvement is so vibrant at your school.

Have you been involved at many schools in many different communities?

Great to share what's worked for your group and best practices you've tried. Not as great to assume/imply that those who don't get your numbers are allowing people off easy or making excuses for people, etc. .... until we've walked a mile in their mocassins, y'know?

I think everyone here would take terrific meeting attendance AND terrific family event attendance. But -- failing that -- I'd take the family event attendance.

I believe that increased family event attendance (bringing in and connecting with new families) leads to increased meeting attendance, not vice versa.

Tim

pals---
Dear friend, I think you are taking it to an extreme. Yes, I know there are people with special situations, like the one you mentioned. But not every parent at the school is dying of something.

We can go on forever, you and I. I will end my post like this....

If something is important enough for you, you WILL make time...why? because it is important to you, irregardless of the circumstances that surround you!

God gave man freedom of choice, to choose what he wants and what he does not want. To choose what is important and what is not.

How is the board chosen?
Election through nomination?
Do they have scheduled meetings?

I know what you are saying and this happens alot! There are alot of groups that have become just that, a few people making decisions for the multitude.

HI: I'm a member at a school where we, the parents, don't attend because we feel unwelcome. Our PTA is basically a junta, a small group of similar, likeminded 'ladies' who don't really include anyone who doesn't go to their country club -- in their fundraisers or activities. Several times, I have called board members and asked if I could help with an event and been told "if we need help, we'll let you know." They have their own nominating procedure, and lately have taken to holding meetings at extremely inconvenient times (during the day when we have lots of working parents, etc.) They do things like holding meetings in little tiny rooms and then claiming that there isn't enough space for anyone except the board.

Do any of you ladies have any suggestions for how a mom who would LIKE to get involved can do so in a situation like this? EVeryone at our school complains about it, but no one knows how to fix it! Help!

Michael I am not giving excuses, yes it bothers me that there are parents who choose to sit on thier butts and not do anything, these people truly anoy me. there are however parents that just can not do anything else besides try to support their child and themselves, you need to take every case by itself. how about a single mom that has cancer, should she spend her last few months attending a pto meeting or being with her son, and yes this is a real situation. people are people and as much as YOU and I love PTO they are human and sometimes we need to realize that in their eyes they just don't have that time.