thanks, Jo - some good thoughts there...you know, though, we even have problems with parents not wanting themselves to be considered on any "committee" - they want to be able to float around and work where and when they want to. They work like the dickens when they work, but you can't count on them for any leadership. I am tempted to let them know that we can't go on without more leadership and they need to be more accountable, but I'm afraid that would add too much of a negative note and they'd back off completely. Last year we managed to run at least 12 programs, with absolutely no committees...no one would step up to chair anything! That left me in charge of making sure those workers got everything they needed. It was awful and I don't want to repeat it this year. I am going to try to call them something besides committees, and see if we can get folks to sign up. Like, one committee will be the "building & grounds review board" - others will be the "arts and music assistants", "bakers", etc. We will still need to try to find a chair for each group, but I think we will refer to them as the leader or mentor. In the meantime, we are going to work harder on our image - there are only 4 people (no kidding!) in our entire school (350 kids) who readily refer to themselves as Boosters. We don't do membership dues, we make it clear that everyone who helps is a Booster, but most parents think of us as being some separate group. Part of the problem has been the meetings, only at noon (I want to hold some at night and do some of the creative things I've read about on this list to attract more adults). Another part of the problem has been inherited - our former presidents (4 years total) had bad attitudes and a bad relationship with staff. I would love to find some creative ways to upgrade our image! (Can't afford an ad in Rosie, though!)
Liz, the other thing I was thinking of was to be sure to let your parents know that if new leaders do not step forward, the organization will cease to exist!! I am not sure how to effectively do this however. But, I'm sure you can get some good ideas from someone out there!
Jo
DolphinBooster,
I know just what you mean about having a reasonable amount of people to help out with activities, but having LOTS of trouble getting people to take the leadership positions. (In fact, I guess that's why I'm president this year!!)
To remedy that problem, we're trying to break committees into subcommittees, so people can see that the comm. chair is basically a coordinator, not the only person doing the work. Each subcomm. also has a "chair" & they recruit people to help them. We also try to get co-chairs when possible. We also try to have anyone in their second year chairing a comm. find someone new to co-chair, so they can train them.
We are also going to make a greater effort this year to be sure we contact EVERYONE who signs up to be on a committee. I've heard complaints from people who say they were never contacted (of course, I've also heard complaints from comm. chairs saying noone calls them back...)
As far as Open House, the past couple years we've had the parents go directly to their child's class. Then the principal & PTO pres. speak briefly over the intercom. I plan to just give a brief overview of what we do & mention that we can always use ANY volunteers for ANY amount of time they can give. Then I'll refer them to our membership table in the lobby & the area in the cafeteria where we'll have spirit items for sale & Market Day & fundraiser samples. We also plan to have a big display in the lobby showing all the wonderful things PTO has sponsored.
As far as Room Parents, we're going to have that as a volunteer option on our PTO membership form (along with various committees, etc..). We have 2 Room Parent Coordinators who will assign room parents & get the info to them. This way the teachers do not have to choose. This year we're thinking of having a meeting with them at the beginning of the school year to "coach" them on making phone calls & let them know that their role is to contact parents for help (at the teacher's direction), and NOT to do everything themselves.
Plw did a great job talking about meetings, so I'll pass on that one. Besides, I've rambled enough, so it's time to stop.
Newtothis, I am also curious about your parent volunteer incentive program. Someone else on this forum also referred to it, but I'm not sure how you organize it and what you offer as an incentive.
newtothis - I'd love to see your volunteer incentive ideas! Have you talked with the teachers about having "room parents"? I wondered about doing this - except that I hate to put the teachers in the role of selecting one person. Some teachers have so many volunteers, others have none. I worry that if there's a list, it will spawn more hard feelings. I do like the idea of having a sign up sheet in the room, though, some parents just bustle right to the room and skip talking with us at our booth. Thanks!
Well I've never spoken at the open house before but I will this year. I plan to let the parents know about the parent volunteer incentive program we are going to initiate and tell them of all the different ways they can help the school and give them an invite to the PTO meetings (Not that they need an invite but going to do so anyway) I also plan to have sign up sheets in every class so the parents can tell us in what areas they want to help. I'm also going to "try" to get a packet of papers for the parents including a log for their donated time and dates of activities and meetings so they will realize how much we want them involved.
I guess I better get busy school is just around the corner.
thanks so much, those are great ideas! We have a board meeting next week and I will take your message and the other resources to them.
I know some of you have mentioned a PTO presentation at open house. I'm not big for speaking in front of a large group, but if it will help folks understand who we are and what they can do to help our school, then I'll give it a try. What things did you say to the audience, how long did you talk, etc.? Thanks in advance for your replies, Liz
