Having run many groups not just PTO, I have always made it my business thatif I want to change something you have to chair or run any of these events yourself and as the person running it you can make things differant, sometimes people are afriad to change things because it can mean more work so just be willing to take on the load suggestions don't get you anywhere if you aren't willing to back them up!
Actually, PottsvilleMom, having too many students for our school is our goal. Three or four years ago we got a bond passed that, combined with state money, gave us over $6million to spend on a new school! We used some of the money to build a very nice gym/multi-purpose building and because of the decrease in enrollment the school board almost decided to not build the new school. If we don't use the money in the next 12 months we will lose enough of it to make it impossible to build the new school. The board was convinced to go ahead with the building plans and now we need to increase our enrollment enough to pay for the running of the school.
I appreciate all the advice from everyone but I do want to make it clear that my ideas are well thought out and I do offer to do the work myself. However, if I can't even get moral support from the rest of the PTO, I won't bother. I need them, the teachers especially to get the students interested in things like parades and sports events. As far as rounding up volunteers and supplies, I am perfectly will to do all that and I do make that clear. Our PTO is a bit clicky, although very nice, and I think they are stuck in a rut but don't seem to want to get out of it.
Again, thanks for the advice and I'll keep trying.
Be careful what you wish for, cechilds! We were once the small "best kept secret" school. Our PTO did a lot of PR and now we are looking at possibly having to split!! We gained over 60 students, K-4, this year.
I agree with JHB. Also being on both sides of the fence, you want to encourage creative thinking but that needs to be married to a full blown plan. Sometimes an idea will disappear itself with the reality of planning.
With all the new parents we are getting, we run into this a lot. It helps to have the principal explain the administration's view of how the PTO should work within the school. Our particular administration tries to limit classroom distruption as much as possible. Once new parents hear that, they don't feel that it's the PTO saying "can't do that".
I've been on both sides of this fence. As President, we had some ideas raised by new parents each year that just had never worked at our school or that the principal simply didn't want to support. It was hard to find the right balance of using our past experience so as not to waste time chasing windmills, yet allow for the possibility that maybe THIS was finally the right time for that particular idea.
One of the most frustrating pieces for me was a particularly wonderful Board member (and friend!) who came up with dozens and dozens of half-formed ideas, then felt she was always turned down. We tried so hard to get her to focus on one or two complete ideas rather than hit us with eight in one meeting.
I think you've got some great responses already: start carving out a small niche, pick a viable idea and be prepared to lead the effort yourself. Gain momentum as you go and be willing to build slowly, merging new ideas into successful, established traditions. You've already got a good start.
I am coming up with the same problem at our PTo. WE have a pres. everyone is intimidated by and if you bring up a new idea, they all look at her and she is judge and jury.
I just bought the book, beyond the bakesale, it is full of great ideas. The only problem is how to get your Board to "get it".
Our first meeting is this week, it should be a doozie. Let me know if you have any luck!
Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep trying. My biggest problem is with the current President. She's a wonderful person and had great ideas herself but she is only interested in her own agenda. I have told her I would like to be the one to keep in touch with the local papers and have already met one reporter who handles all the school news so I am getting somewhere with that part of the problem.
