I know not everyone is going to like this but, maybe some out there can identify and we need to know how to move forward. I'm talking about; we've followed all the rules and now we have plenty of parent involvement. We've always been extremely welcoming and inviting. We had so much fun at events and shown appreciation. We sent out a volunteer coupon book and received hundreds of volunteers for our 26 committees. These committees are chaired by over 30 people. And for instance Staff Appreciation as about 70 people on the committee and our publishing center has 54. Forget about Room Reps, I'm sure there's over 100. We have 800 students k-5.
Okay so where's our problem, right? Some of the chairs are over zealous, I know I know. I got one that much rather work with the principal and plan grandeous things with no group input and another that likes to solicite her home business in her volunteer thank yous. I had 17 new co-chairs last year and 12 this year that all need "training". We only needed more because some moved or some wanted just 1 committee instead of 2 or 3. After all we can get someone new.
I realized it this year because I spent last year answering questions from where we keep the cups to how to fill out a check request.
The last 2 years we've sent a group to the PTO Today show. The first year was so informative. We became incorporated, and completed a Vision plan. Worked in the appreciation and we knew how to get people to move into and up through the group. We boosted communication and started a grant program. The second year was the same stuff and nothing was new on where to go from there.
What's next! I've hesitated because I've never seen anything like this in the discussion forum and I'm sure many would like my problems. But I'm really stressed out. PTO Today you've told us what to do and it works. Now how do the 5 executive board members manage a work force of 30 managers and hundreds of employees.
By the way we have a great principal, could just be a fluke, but actually he probably says yes too often and is okay with everything. We are working on Staff communication this year but involvement good. And one fundraiser and some service and fun committees keep us with an over $100,000 budget, try the tax forms for that.
So my whole point is, PTO Today, it all works, but then new things come up and we still need you for Phase 2.
Tim, are you there? We need to know what's next. Will the conferences take us into that next step? When I told the Beautification Chair that $250 trees for retiring teachers were too much, even though she had the money in beautification. She said it wasn't worth the aggrevation just being a volunteer, she felt good after an hour and a half conversation but. . . I'm just a volunteer too and these answers don't come in any box.
