It's easy to feel overlooked and underappreciated when you give so much time to the PTO. I agree that the PTO shouldn't be included in functions that are held for the staff. However, it is nice to be thanked, especially when we spend so much time thanking others for their support, as well as all the time we put into fundraising and other activities.

Our school provides an end of the year thank you for all volunteers. In the past, we've had luncheons with a slide show, breakfast and an ice cream social. In addition, our principal takes the PTO Board members out to dinner as an extra thank you for our hard work. You may need to drop some "subtle hints" that your volunteers should receive some sort of "Thank You"! A little appreciation can go a long way!

Last year I helped with the planning of the school's first graduation and was writing out the announcments when three different staff members each looked at my list and said "Oh you forgot--" and named different people each time! Funny HAHA part was the PTO Pres. name was mentioned and I laughed and said she has a son graduating!
The PTO is never invited to parties, dinners, meetings, reindeer games, etc. Really, I'm fine with it.
On the flip side, we don't send cards or give gifts for the holidays, religious reasons.

As the PTA president, I do not get invited to staff functions or parties. I did get a pointsetta plant last christmas when the staff members did. Nothing this year. I will get a verbal thank you from the principal sometimes. The teachers do send thank you notes to me and the PTA though after events. I know they appreciate what we do.

I would not expect to be involved in a staff lunchoen unless it was in a working duty. like the PTO gave the staff a party. We get thank you's for the things we do but I would never expect to be involved with an employee event. At the end of the year the staff usually gives all volunteer a coffee but this to goes beyonf the PTO as every volunteer at the school is not through the PTO.

Remember we are there to help better educate and supply fun to education for our children.

PLEASE HELP! I am some what new to this PTO thing (this is my second year- first as president). I have a lot of animocity (spelling??) towards the administration because it seems as if we are not part of the school. They want our help with everything, and say thank you but when it comes to 'real' appreciation we don't get it. They had a holiday luncheon for the staff- we were not included. The PTO did not even recieve a holiday card from any of the administration. (we did get some from the teachers) Am I just looking for too much for us to be thought of as a part of the school, or are we being overlooked? We do A LOT for the staff, and we are not looking for anything but it is nice to feel appreciated. Please be honest with me!! How is the PTO looked at in your school??