WOW I know this feeling.
I agree that more volunteers is most important!
My 2 best rules for meetings, which seem to work, are 1) Give them a reason to attend! Speakers often work well. How about making that "family reading night" a meeting, do some quick business before or after the EVENT. 2) KEEP IT FUN, we all are busy, most people do not want to attend another boring meeting, with people whyning and complaining. They have "better" things to do with their free time.
Look at your local school board meetings, most are sparsely attended. But put on the agenda closing a school, of cutting a program, or recognizing student's awards and achievements and the parents come out! WHY? They have been given a reason!

Does anyone have any ideas how to make the atmosphere in the school better? Even though we have an open door policy it is a little chilly (not from the weather). Do you think having a parent rap session would work? Just having a chance to voice your feelings about the school and other things in general. We probably would need a mediator to keep things in perspective. I need some help and I'm running out of ideas after 4 years.

We have neither. We have the same five people coming to the meetings but no one wants to volunteer for ANYTHING. We have sent letters out with the kids, stood outside passing out flyers, and flat out asking them in person. One young lady just said she wasn't interested. I'm stumped. One parent wanted to be paid. We aren't allowed to do that. We keep trying to have interesting meetings (health and education) still nothing. If some one come up with something else PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

OK pals, I guess I better chime in. You're right that this is a pet topic of mine.

covp -- my first response to you is that you're measuring the wrong thing. You say you have lots of volunteers but very low meeting attendance. And that's your challenge. I'll tell you that most folks would love the "lots of volunteers" part. That's way more important than meeting attendance.

Here's a column I wrote on that:

www.ptotoday.com/0805tim.html

So my first advice is: stop worrying about meeting attendance so much. All the gimmicks (raffles, principals giving teachers credit) in the world won't change the fundamental truth that PTO meetings are work/boring. We'd much rather have 150 at our next Family Reading Night (moms and dads engaging with their kids and the faculty, getting connected to the curriculum -- that's involvement!) than at a boring ol' PTO meeting.

As for other more general advice, two things:

1. You get the "unconnected" connected through great, welcoming, fun events. You bring 'em into school that way, not through your meetings or expecting them to be on your Board next year.

2. You increase the "core group" (the nuts like you who do lead and attend meetings, etc.) through personal interaction and recruiting.

The second follws the first, meaning: the better attendance you have at family events and the more welcoming you are, the more parents who will have a good thought in their head about your group and the better your odds of success in recruiting folks for your core group.

Good luck. With the volunteers you already have, it sounds like you're doing a great job.

Tim

Since Tim hasn't gotten in on this yet, I will. Your post reminded me of when our group first started out, all I wanted the end of that year was 15 people at our meeting. We tried food, door prizes, yada yada...Know what? Meeting attendance versus volunteers at events...which would you rather have? I decided I would rather have them volunteering, yes it would be nice to have alot of people at your meetings but sometimes with all the business parents and kids are doing they do need to pick. I know that is hard for some people to believe...by volunteering they are sharing with their family.
Another thing that I was wondering about reading your post is that you said alot of parents wanted your meetings in the day but they aren't coming...have you tried other times (after school). Are your days constant (do you have it the same day every month-if so try two adding a day-we do mondays and wednseday nights)I know a school that use to do days that switch to all night time this year and have doubled their attendance.
You will never please everyone, one thing I recommend is that you send home your minutes to all families, you may see an increase once people read every month what is happening. You seem to be doing alot of pr but make sure parents know what has happen at meetings.
Also do you thank people personally for coming to a meeting? People think I am nuts doing this but it goes alog ways, not just events but meetings as well. Have a little fun with it...play a game...etc. word will get out...trust me!
I also wonder about the bad rep you have gotten the past two months? Can you share that with us? I think word of mouth is sooooooooooo powerful so that part concerns me. I went through that with our group when we started, we were competing with some negative issues from a past parent group. It takes time and alot of patience. This months issue is GREAT and even as a experienced leader I found it so powerful and there are things that I need to work on...keep trying!

One thing our principal does is she gives the teachers that attend the PTO meeting treats for attending as a thank you. Just a chocolate bar or something nothing big. Also she has the teachers take turns attending so we have at least 4-6 teachers at each meeting. We have about 30 teachers.
Just a couple of ideas on that end. Did you get this months PTO Today magazine the whole issue is on involvement. VERY HELPFUL!!!!


Cindy