This is an interesting thread, and I completely understand where the emotion comes from and I'm glad these boards can be a place for leaders to find out they're not alone.....
But...
I can't help but jump in with a word of caution. As we try so hard to grow involvement, we have to work really hard to never let this tone (undertone or overt tone) seep into our recruiting efforts or involvement-building tries. And it's really easy for it to seep in. That one time when you're especially tired or frustrated -- that's the time you have to work harder to not let it seep in. I can only imagine the damage the harangue against that teacher (as good as I'm sure it felt) has done to the perception of your group and your relationship with teachers....
Because guilt just doesn't work as a long-term involvement builder. The groups that have the best success getting more actual labor/help are the groups that focus least on getting labor and most on serving parents. Yes, serving parents.
Rather than thinking (or worse yet: ever implying around your school) we're better than other parents, I find it much more beneficial to think of it a different way. For us, leading school volunteer efforts is the passion we choose. Almost like a calling. That's not for everyone. Perhaps those other parents are really passionate about something else. Maybe they run the cancer walk. Or maybe they take care of a sick mom-in-law. Or maybe they have problems you just don't know about. Or maybe they're running an online campaign to save the endangered Bolivian emu.
Even if that's not true (and clearly there are parents who simply enjoy sitting their tails down on the couch for Idol), thinking of it this way helps you to put your work in a much more positive light and to reach out to parents much more positively and effectively.
Here's a columnI wrote on this some time ago. Thought it was pertinent here:
www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...aping-the-guilt-trap
Interested in your feedback.
Tim
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