We give PTO info at registration and then again at back to school time. Our PTO is friendly and open, at the last meeting there were 3 new ideas submitted by people willing to head things. That is great to see.

i think the NUMBER ONE draw to participation in PTO is ATTITUDE of its leaders, as dlf suggests - WELCOME people, tell them you are open to ideas. and they WILL come. and they WILL help if you let them be part of the process.

around here unfortunately, its more of a spirit of 'if your ideas are the same as ours you can be one of us' if your ideas are otherwise, you are not welcome here. and then of course, one wonders why they opine they dont have enough volunteers for fundraisers and such. its a wonder how minds work, isnt it. oh well, one cannot change others. in such an instance one must take ones ideas directly to the teahcers or other staff and that works just fine. they dont create a cohesive PTO like that but it doesnt seem to bother anyone. so everyone is happy i guess and no one offended. many ways to skin a cat.

Boy--I think communication and having a fun spirit is the point of this thing and having parents come to join in will be easy. I've had 2 or 3 parents actually coming to me this year wanting to start things because I stress that we are welcoming, not a clique, and that we will support them with a program idea if they want to head it up. That's how we've gotten all of our Carnival blowups sponsored, our book club started and are able to do our Karate Clinic, SOL snack attack support and many other things. People ask me if they can help. I can only attribute it to the communication and working hard to make this one school....so get the word out and if you build it they will come [img]smile.gif[/img] ...good luck...d

We don't send a note, but we just started last year doing an informal playground get-together the week before school starts with the PTO officers and incoming families. We sent a flyer home with the K materials over the summer and got a great response. The K parents were very appreciative.

Thank you that is a great letter. This is going to be my 1st year as Secretary, and I want to bring some new ideas into the mix this year. Our president is very open to suggestions. We always get a great turnout with membership, however the same people volunteer and come to the meetings. I would love any ideas anyone has to boost meeting presents, etc.

Hi Stacie--we are a public school and this trifold goes home in the packets at registration and we send out a more general note for the beginning of school and then a particular welcome note for our new members. Can't be accused of not getting the word out [img]smile.gif[/img] ...d