Good luck at your first meeting. The best way is to not feel like the whole meeting is on your shoulders is to keep some involvement in the meeting. After you say, "Hi. I'm the president this year, I'm Tom Smith and my daughter Suzy is in 3rd grade in Mrs. Olson's class." Then have the other parents do the same. While they're talking, it gives you a minute to re-group and get ready for your next point. As the other person commented, have an agenda and have stuff written under each point that you want to be sure to touch on. Don't leave anything in your head, because if you're nervous that will be the thing that you forget.
Ask open ended questions that can't just be answered with a yes or no. What is one tradition you like that you'd like to see the PTO continue? People will have to get involved in the conversation.
Another thing that helps if you're nervous is to have you do one point on the agenda and then the vice president take the next point.
You'll be OK. Remember that everyone there has the same goal as you do (even if it doesn't always seem like it): They want to help the school.
Have an agenda. If you don't have one yet, whip one up, even if it just lists Old Business, President's Report, Treasurer's Report, and New Business. If you don't know what to talk about in any section, you can ask when you get to that point in the agenda: "Is there any old business?" "Is there any new business?"
Start by calling the meeting to order. (Don't be afraid of this; it just means you say "This meeting is called to order." )
Introduce yourself with your name and PTA title ("I'm Mari Smith, president of the PTA").
Thank everybody for being there; maybe say something about looking forward to a great year.
If it's a small group, ask everyone to introduce themselves -- at least their names and what grades their kids are in, or what grade they teach (or whyever else they're there). PTA board members should include their PTA titles ("I'm John Jones, PTA secretary, and I have a third-grader in Mrs. Alvarez's room"). If the group is too big to allow everyone to be introduced, at least be sure the board members and the principal introduce themselves.
If there are minutes from a previous meeting, seek a motion to approve them. (Don't be afraid of this either. Just say something like, "Will someone move to approve the minutes?" Get a second, ask for any discussion -- there usually won't be any, but might be some corrections -- and then get a vote.)
Follow the agenda. Usually there will be decisions to make; follow the same formula as for approving the minutes, even if it seems awkward at first: Get a motion, get a second, ask for discussion and make sure everyone has a chance to be heard, and get a vote.
When you're done, thank everybody for coming (even if you did that at the beginning of the meeting, do it again), and say you hope everyone will come back and bring a friend next time.
Don't forget to smile a lot, thank people at every opportunity (you'll be amazed at how far "Thank you for sharing that, Jane" will go, even if it's your only response), and be yourself.
I just got into the PTA Board this year for the first time and didn't realize how much work it was going to be. I am not good when it comes to public speaking,lol. I enjoy helping my daughter's school and I volunteered alot and enjoyed it. But I am having my first meeting tomorrow and I don't know how to even start it. OMG. This is going to be a long year. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start a PTA meeting besides Good morning everyone.......... Thanks
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