actaully no, we do not have separate meetings which is I think where a peice of the confusion and lack of enthusiasm exists. That was one of the things I was curious about was if I should see about changing the name. I mean, I would think that a PTO general meeting would work as easily as a board meeting, if not better. I think board meeting sounds too much like just the members of the board can show up and everyone else is discluded. Your thoughts?
Do you have Board and General meetings? We have so little turnout that we just do a general meeting. That also makes one less meeting for all of us to go to.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
We had a disastrous meeting yesterday although I am hoping that that will change at the meeting on December 7. I got mad enough yesterday that I do believe it may be time for me to actually write up a speech and get on a soap box. I have never heard so much " it won't work", " parents won't want it", etc in all of my life and yet the fundraisers that I am gungho on are educational, and they are incentives towards reading. They were more interested in ELASTIC SHOELACES!! One teachers excuse was that she was tired of tying shoelaces. I have never felt so discouraged in all of my life as I did yesterday! The parents on the PTO ( all 2 of us) were so into what my item was ( personalized childrens books that I went as far as purchasing the license to do). The teachers on the PTO, were into the shoelaces!!!!!!!!
I had one person who was so kind and gave me a letter to see about volunteerism. I want to work on another letter to see about what people want to see in the fundraisers in their school. I am sure that they don't want to see one that has body lotions ( my first grader brought that home last year before I was president) I would like to know what parents want to see in their school. Whether they want educational items or fun items. PLEASE give me ideas on how to convey this not just to the PTO but to the parents too!!.
I am afraid that the title of Executive Board Meeting drives parents away from the meetings. I know that until recently I wasnt a part of the executive board and I really think that might be why we dont have the involvement. Should I work on getting it changed to just " PTO Meeting?". Should I write a letter to the parents saying something along the lines of just becasue it says board meeting does not mean that you should not attend. All are welcome. PLEASE can I have some ideas?
Thanks for all of your support. This is less frustrating with the assistance of all of you.
