Here are my top 5 reasons to stay in PTO

1) Somebody has to take the blame when a new idea fails. I'm tough, I can take it.

2) It's a good excuse not to have to cook at least one night a month.

3) Where else can you go dressed in jeans, a pto t-shirt, and your hair a mess and people still be glad to see you?

4) Someone has to deal with reality--really, there is no money tree growing on the playground, I promise there isn't!!!!

5) Just to hear the phrase " We've always done it this way, Why change now?" You could set it to music and make a million. We want them to have something to say-don't we?(shame they don't make a human muzzle,huh)

in all honesty, i love being a part of the school. it gives me great pleasure to enrich our school. keep up the good work.

I got involved for my kids and myself. I have been involved for 9 years with our schools different PTC's and committees. My boys like having me around. My 8th grader told me this year that it is nice to see me once in a while at school (like at the bookfair, fundraising days, etc) he of course would never admit that he said that in front of his friends but my 5th grader and 3rd grader always have a special smile when I am in school and they see me popping popcorn, setting up for carnival, etc. As a parent to have those moments is truly rewarding and at the end of their K-12 education I will know that I had a small part of the extras that made school a little more fun for them. I also have had the opportunity to meet many other kids and parents in our community which is great. Thank you for the person who originally posted this because now I am fired up for the next school year and my involvement is put into perspective again!

I have to say the coolest thing about the whole thing is the kids though. I love stepping into the school and knowing all their little faces and hearing them say hi Mark's Mom! or Mrs. D.! Or running into them outside of school and having them so excited to see me!

I joined our group because I believe that all good parents should. I believe myself to be a good parent. Who wouldn't want to be involved in their child's education process? What better way to get to know which teacher is best for your child? After leaving the first few meetings in tears, I decided to stick it out. The clique couldn't last forever...lol... When it came time for elections two years later, the question put to me was: If not you, then who? It had to be someone strong, bold, innovative, and a sucker. That's me! Same thing happened the following two years for our Site Council. Well, I'm back at the helm of our parent group, whom over the last two years has been negligent in monitoring pto funds. Want to hear something funny? The principal used the same line that worked 3 years ago: If not you, then who? Again, it had to be someone strong, bold, innovative, a sucker.

All kidding aside, I didn't plan on being on ANY board. I WANTED to be Fundraising Chair, and that was all. I didn't plan on being a friend to ALL children. I WANTED to be involved with my children. I now have the best of all possible worlds: My son (last in elementary school thank you very much...lol) is a straight A student, I have become a mentor, friend, and supporter of more than 800 children (who are now my own...lol), I am a well respected member of the school staff (unpaid of course!), I'm busier than I've ever been (no time to worry about why I do this...lol), I make a difference everyday (sometimes good, sometimes not so good...lol), I get plenty of exercise (lost 53 pounds...lol), OH! I could go on and on about what I get out of it selfishly... Truthfully? I do it for my kids. All 800+ of them. No other reason.

JHB I agree with what you said. I became leader by sittting there volunteering to run our school's first holiday shop in six years. The following month the principal made a comment about she needs someone to facilitate the group. I agreed that our principal should not be running our four month old parent group. Since there were only five parents there I found myself with the notebook in hand, a okay to open a checking account and no idea of what i was getting into.
It was a thought out plan to get involved BUT not to be leader. Being leader of a parent group details so much more than I could possible have expected. This year my term ends, I have tried to ask around to see if anyone is willing to become president, even our vice president says no. I worry that trying to get someone who really doesn't want to do it, what effect that will have on our group...what happens then??

Last year as a kindergarten mommy, I couldnt wait to get involved with my child's school! My daughter had just finished at a preschool where all of the parents were extensively involved...so, I thought elementary school would be the same. Boy, WHAT A MISTAKE! I found the lack of parent involvment so discouraging that we almost transfered our daughter to another school! But after getting to know the parents who do participate, I could see the potential for our school. Im now gearing up to spend my first year as President of our group!