Now, here's the challenge. At our meetings, that is where everything is decided. Our committee tosses out ideas and who ever attends that meeting votes yah or nah on it.

Then we have the old "who decided this, we don't want this?" and so the story goes.

Same here, I have been at it for 4 years and here is something so similar that happened to us (although though there are more situations too) We (board and members in attendance at a general meeting) decided to try holding a walkathon to see if this might be a new way to do fundraising and something different in the years to come. Ok, everyone says yes. We ask for people to come forward to form a committee. Only one person. Ok - out goes our NEWSLETTER stating the new walkathon is going to be held and we are looking for committee members. We provide contacts and phone numbers. - no response. We put it up on our WEBSITE as well. - no response. Since I am big on communication, we put the call out again for yet another month. We want to make sure anyone who wants to be a part of this new venture comes on board. Still no responses. So, as usual, myself and the one person who said they would be interested do all the grunt work and decision making. A couple months later (two weeks before the walkathon) we have a general meeting and there is a rather unusually "larger" attendance. ( For us that can only mean trouble - LOL) The gripers were out in force and whining. I smile as I take all the complaints and try to make these ___ understand that we made every attempt to get people in on the decision making process..yadda, yadda. It is like banging your head against the wall!! ARGH anyone out there with a Solution or remedy - I for one would like to hear it!

P.S. The bulletin board is a great idea - IF people read it! One out of 10 will.

Good luck and if you discover a method that is working - share it with all your friends here on the boards!

We are a small school of 260 kids.

I totally agree with "would you rather have 300 at your chili supper or 300 attend the hour long PTO meeting" and of course we'd rather have the chili supper attendance.

Now, here's the challenge. At our meetings, that is where everything is decided. Our committee tosses out ideas and who ever attends that meeting votes yah or nah on it.

Then we have the old "who decided this, we don't want this?" and so the story goes.

Another challenge we have is budget cuts. making flyers to send home is difficult because of the paper and coping expense put on the school. We have recently started buying our own paper for PTO only flyers we send home so I guess that's a start.

The end of April, I created a "survey" that we sent home to parents and gave to staff to fill out and return. We had a section for "additional comments" and many replied back that they were not aware of all the events that 'PTO" is financially responsible for. THAT'S BECAUSE THEY DO NOT ATTEND MEETINGS!!! LOL.

It's like a double edge sword LOL.

Anyway, my goal for next year (as I'm the new PTO President) is to have a PTO bulletin board with info and events posted. We want it hung in the cafeteria where the parents are that pick up their children. We've also created a website, however, not many have checked it out. Hopeing the REALLY change things next year !!!!!!