We also started a email list at school-I think that is the key as our parents also have been more involved this year. The teachers have expressed an interest in using the email list but our board is reluctant. The reason is that parents signed up emails from the parents group and they are expecting a low volume. If the teachers start sending, the potenial is there for a great deal of emails and the board is afraid that parents will get upset, since many of the emails are work addresses. We are kicking around the idea of using yahoo groups so parents can manage the volume of emails, ie email, digest or web only. Just wondering how other schools are dealing with this situation.
DLF:
Would love a copy of one of your emails as an example.
Dianna, I'd love some examples of your emails. We're just getting started with our email group for parents. My email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Thanks!
I have to tell you that I really enjoy using email to break through this problem. In the beginning of the year we establish an email list that has all of our families (over 250 now) and each week I send an email or "random thoughts" out to folks. I am so pleased that we have a volunteer base of probably 75 that show up for different things. Our hospitality has it's supporter, our xerox mom's are different, our treasurer folks, our desk volunteers, our day care are all different folks (of course we do have some repeaters but you know what I mean--the wealth is spread). And I REALLY believe the emails do that. They establish a link between the individual and me (the PTO) and they feel very comfortable in that relationship. It's kind of like they know somebody. It takes a ton of work to start these things up, but it is really paying off for us. Keep the emails light, a little comedy and then some meat, like the next 2 week important dates -- people will read them and come to be part of your PTO.
If you'd like an example of the some of the emails I send, just let me know. Hope this helps...dianna
We are taking a break this year from committees and volunteers, and having our helpers join a team. We have team leaders, and our (volunteers) can join the team...takes away the yuck of the committee....another thing we do is have plenty of food to encourage people to hang out and talk. This is my second and last year as PTO Pres, and we are seeing a lot more new parents help out...although there are a lot of us who are burning out...tough to be on the inside of it all sometimes....
