hahahaha Tim,
Sorry, but I had to chuckle about part of your reply. Oh yes, it's the few that serve the many generally in most PTA's/PTO's. I think that was laurib's point---the few are burned out. The part I was chuckling about was--an appreciation for ALL volunteers is appropriate, but who will take care of getting it together and serving?? Yep, the FEW. While it does seem that it would be showing favoritism if PTO paid for a lunch or dinner for these key people, I feel that it is necessary. Now, I'm not talking lobster, but something those few didn't have to purchase, prepare or clean up after would go a long way toward making them feel that they are worthy for everything they do on a daily basis for free. A small price to pay. I'm certain that the ones who complain the most are the ones who do the least.
helpfulhintsmom--I sympathise with you too---no matter how much you do, someone will always take it wrong. It's a drag, but you just have to chalk it up to sometimes people are not very nice and keep on going.And--the old mantra--I'm doing it for the KIDS. Every time one of the students comes up & gives me a hug or waves hi, all the other bs fades from my mind.

We are in the process of planning a Volunteer Appreciation Reception in conjunction with the principal. All PTO members will be invited (open invitation), and it is in lieu of a regular monthly PTO meeting. We will apply our remaining Hospitality budget (PTO money) plus funding "from the school" which will end up coming from one of the PTO's budget line items over which we give the principal discretion (there's no money left in the school's budget for this kind of thing). So, even though this event is co-sponsored by the school (as a thank you to the parents from the staff), it will really be funded by PTO dollars exclusively. We're not planning a big formal dinner, just nice snacks, beverages, and a short thank you program. I agree with Tim that we need to thank the volunteers, whatever their contribution. This event is our solution.

To all.... Don't you purchase things for the teachers and buy them little trinkets and dinners and things for Teacher Appreciation Week?! Well, they are the T in PTO. So why not do the same for the P's in PTO.

I agree with LUVMYKIDS - I as well mentioned thank you to individuals and PURCHASED thank you (my personal money)as a small token of thank you gifts to my Board at the last General PTO meeting.
I read surveys that came back in and I was hurt at some of the parents comments that they said about me. "The President is always wanting things her way" and "Wanting things done her way" and blah, blah. These were signed anonymous as well. I felt that if these people felt that I showed to much appreciation towards board members or indiviudals that took charge; where were they at. Did they bother to come to meetings; I don't think so., if they would of been there they could of been gotten involved and ran the committee and it would of had to been the board doing everything. I also purchased pizza out of my personal money when we had late meetings; never did I asked to be reimbursed. I always sent out personal thank you notes as well. I say if you do the pizza this could open a whole can of worms.

Oh MAN!!!!!, luvmykids. That drives me nuts.

I can see some hesitation on laurib's suggestion, but an objection to thanking people???? No way.

Appreciation is so, so important for encouraging more involvement. I think not appreciating enough (by name, by email, by newspaper, by carrier pigeon, by party, by anything...) is one of the biggest mistakes PTO leaders can make.

On laurib's question, I think that having the "insider's" get a party is an invitation to a "clique" reputation. I know very well that a very few people do a ton of work. And those folks deserve every accolade and every honor and money and jewels and manicures, etc. But -- like in every type of organization -- the leaders need to be very careful of impressions.

On the other hand, I think a great, huge, loud (even expensive) party for *every* possible volunteer is a terrific idea. The key, though, is that every person who did even the smallest thing needs to be invited and celebrated.

This is a key concept in my parental involvement talks -- and won't get justice here -- but your goaol in appreciation is not "fairness". You're not trying to say that "Mary volunteered her tail off, so mary should get a dinner party, while Sue only baked a cupcake, so she should get a card or nothing."

You actually want to do the opposite, if anything. As leaders, you want those folks who are just dabbling with involvement to be "wowed" by how much you appreciate their efforts. You're not measuring/grading involvement, you're making the loud statement that all involvement is great and we'll thankfully take any help you can provide.

So my vote: "no" on exclusionary appreciation. A resounding "yes" on wide-ranging appreciation, even appreciation with a big budget.

Tim

I don't know that I would recommend it. It's one thing for you all to get together and foot your own bill, but to have the PTO pay for it could cause some hard feelings. We just sent out a survey and I had one parent write back that they didn't like me thanking individuals in my newsletter. I thanked people who had coordinated events and put in MANY(40-50) hours. I thought they deserved the recoginition--still do. But obviously this person (who chose to remain anonymous) did not. I understand that some people don't have tons of free time to give because of work and family committments, and every moment they can give is deeply appreciated, but when some one goes above and beyond the call of duty I think they deserve some special thanks. Unfortunately, you have to be careful how you do it.