I agree with what everyone else has said getting just basic bylaws will give you some direction. Setting up a table at Open House and really talking to parents one on one at any function helps too. Alot of times I found parents want to get involved, but they dont want to feel as if they have to give up all there time. Even just telling them were looking for new ideas and suggestions really helps.
The idea of sending out or even just approaching parents and getting their feedback they feel wanted and appreciated which makes a huge difference in parent moral too.
Cindy
Cindy<br />
<br><br />
<br>____________________________________________<br />
<br>"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."
Having just gone through the same thing as you, I can tell you that what the others above has said is so true. To get our PTO started, I met with a couple of people that I thought would be interested in having a PTO at our school. I then approached the faculty during one of our last faculty meetings and asked if they knew of any parents that might want to be involved (our school is a preK-8 so we have about 1500 kids). I took the list they gave me and sent a letter to each one inviting them to join us for our first planning meeting at the end of July (our school starts the first week of Aug.). I addressed each letter to the individual and said that they were personally invited to join in on making this an unforgetable year, there would be food, and to bring a friend and any ideas they had. The principal agreed to pay for postage since he knew having a PTO would only benefit our school. We had about 30-40 people show up for the first meeting, several of them teachers, and planned our open house sign ups from there. By the way, our meetings this year averaged 15-20.
At the start of the meeting, the two moms and I explained what we thought our goal should be in having a PTO and why we thought it would be beneficial to have one - our kids and community being most important. Thankfully, someone who had been on a PTO at another school and our principal knew to get some bylaws together and suggested that we get an EIN# and set up a bank account. We opened the floor for others and things went from there. We didn't actually have elections until late in Sept. We also agreed then that elections would be held at our last meeting in May so we could prepare for the next year.
If you really want to get some people interested, why don't you try targeting the incoming kindergarten parents? I'm assuming you're an elem. school. You could hold a get together for the whole school, like a picnic on the playground, or just for the kindergarteners so the kids and parents can get to know each other. Make sure at least you're there and be on hand with info. about your PTO and let them just have a good time. They will remember who put things together.
be social i think one thing that has really helped us this year is that we have started going and talking to more parents because you have to remember that some people just shy away from joining because they think they would be uncomfortable or not fit in but by going and talking to others it starts getting them more a t ease and thinking well maybe i will join they seem friendly and enviting i think being very social in your school helps. i know that i had volunteered to start swimming with the preschoolers and i got to know a few moms and have talked them into joining the pto for next year.
You've certainly come to the right place for tips on all those areas. A little searching for specifics should get you some great samples of bylaws and budgets and volunteer ideas.
I really feel that the more organized your group is the more attractive it is to people. I'm not talking rigid rules and overly formal meetings, I'm talking a logical and reasonable set of bylaws with a mission statement so you have a clear idea of your goals and the path you will follow to achieve them. Then a clear and easy to understand budget with some flexibility for those unexpected occurrences like a fundraiser that doesn't make as much as you planned or an unexpected but very much needed item for the school.
Having all these things in place lets people know that your group is serious and has a plan for what you want to accomplish.
As to how to do this without stepping on toes: bring up the topic at a meeting and see how folks feel. Come prepared with ideas, samples of bylaws and budgets and a positive attitude. Ask for help-don't try to do it alone.
Welcome to the boards! It's a great place to learn and share. I'm confident you'll pick up lots of useful info here!!!
It sounds like your group is basically starting from scratch. That's good. It means you can make things fit the community's current needs. If things have become stale and stagnant, it's good that you bring fresh ideas and energy. Keep having fun and others will join you!
Maybe start with a small focus group of a President, VP, Treasurer and Secretary. Meet with the principal and one or two key teachers/staff members. Then, take it from there.
If you have 8 - 10 moms at meetings, I think you're doing great! My group serves a 750+ student school and we still only average 10 parents at a meeting. Right now, don't focus on increasing attendance. Instead, focus on motivating volunteers for your many projects.
Do you have pre-registration at your school - say two or three weeks before school starts? My group sets up a table with sign-up sheets, brochures, etc to attract volunteers. PTO Officers man the table throughout the week to answer questions. Open House (usually three weeks after school starts) is also a good time to reach out to volunteers.
Start simple with the bylaws. Use just what your group needs to function smoothly now. You can always add to or alter them later. If you'd like to see a sample of mine - they're pretty basic - then send an email message to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You could also click on the Bonus Tools link at the top of this page. There is all kinds of useful info there, including a link to sample by-laws.
Good luck! And come back often. You'll learn tons and we'll all learn from your 'start-up' stories.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
I am a newbie to all things PTO when it comes to how things should be run. However, I have a couple of concerns about our PTO especially now that I will be taking over the role of President. We have no budget, no bylaws that make sense, almost NO parent involvement, and everything we do is based on one person making a motion and a second person agreeing. There is no voting except for the officers and that is only if we can get enough people to run for an office. How do I help our PTO gain some structure? I am afraid of seriously stepping on toes and causing even more disfunction. I think that if we had a little more organization we could get more people involved and the meetings would go smoother but right now we have about 8-10 moms at any given meeting and can't beg, plead or bribe volunteers for most events. Any suggestions. We need by law help, budget help and volunteers. Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions.
