I usually make the flyers for our school. I usually put a picture of whatever the meeting is going to be about on it (in color) for the ones that go around the school. The ones going home to the kids are b/w. If I can't find a picture of what the meeting is going to be about I put a picture representive of that month on it (bunnies for Easter, hearts for Valentines Day). I put the topic and the speaker. I found that was helpful just in case the parents didn't want to come to just a regular meeting. Hope that helps.
We are hoping that the fliers will spark an interest. I just need help with come creativity. Our next meeting is the 16th. Last meeting, the board members (minus the president, two parents (including myself), 4 teachers, the principal, and the superintendent were present. It was hard to approve even the minutes with just two parents. Luckily the super and principal and a few teachers are members, but it was just silly. Especially because nominations for board members are in March. The current problem with involvement is the current board members. (But that is another story.) I just want some eye catching fliers for now.
Well, one thing I have learned is that you can't make them come if they don't/want to participate. On the upside, how is your volunteer base for fundraisers? We have the same 10-12 parents at every meeting, but when we need volunteers, they come out of the wood work. Unfortunately, its usually the day that we need them (which is great) but will not committ before hand.
I've also learned that there is no cure for getting parents to meetings. Its a fact of life, as much as I hate to admit it.
I believe that Tim said last year in a post that its not so much how many show up at the meetings as long as you can count on them for help with fundraisers. Or something to that effect. I just keep that in mind when I get upset about the turn outs.
If someone complains about certain functions, I just tell them that the should attend the meetings to let their feelings known.
We are there with you. Our advisor told us to go where the people are. She said everywhere in your school territory talk to parents and take copies of your minutes to give to them. A school I visited (yeah, I visit a lot) had their students of the month receive their certificates at the end of the parent meeting. A lot of parents came that I didn't see at another meeting. They didn't do student of the month until after the parent meeting. So parents got information as well as saw their kids get certificates. I think that was one of the special things I've seen in the past 5 years. I don't know if this helps but you can try.
Our PTA is not having the success with parent turnout at meetings as we would have liked. I have suggested that we make fliers and post them around our small town, library, gas station, grocery, post office, etc. I also said that I would be more than happy to come up with the flier. However, I have been working myself in circles. Does anybody have any ideas? We offer free child care and free snacks and I really want to stress that point without making it too obvious.
