Well, my first thought is that I completely agree with you on the fact that just paying dues does not make a person an active, viable member of a PTO. It has always bothered me when I see groups claiming that they are 400 members strong, but their basis for this is that a parent paid $5 dues.

To me a parent group, by whatever name, is all about making the aducational experience better for the children. That is a pretty broad and general statement. The way I look at it is that school budgets only go so far. Many, many things that we may have had as children are not allowed and financially possible for our children. At the same time, with the changes and advancements in technology, etc., there are many things available to our children that were not available to us. It is my belief that a parent group, such as a PTO, should try to work with the school and town administration to provide more opportunities for our children. Now that doesn;t mean that we become the cash cow. In fact it is for this reason that I am so adamant about beling incorporated, maintaining financial controls, etc.

Some general topics for discussion where parent groups can support are:

- Enrichment, both in the school and away from school (field trips)
- Learning, such as reading programs, after school or before school programs, etc.
- Fun/Spirit, such as, dare I say it, parties.
- Supportive, such as parents assisting teachers, volunteering within the class, etc.
- Technology, such as computers, lab equipment, classroom resources, etc.
- Athletic, such as recess equipment, playgrounds, field and track inprovements, etc.

So as you can see, IMO, there are just so many areas that a PTO can make a valid, direct and positive impact.

But here's a very big point, based on your thread. To affect much of the areas that I listed, you obviously need money. That doesn't mean to say that there are things that you can't do without money. For example, we have a couple of parties (we have to call them socials) each year and they are break even events. We charge a very minimal fee at the door (we're talking $3 to $5 per family) in order to cover the DJ fee, prizes, etc. Another one is that a member started an after school book club for a select number of students, and this could have been done with no cost whatsoever (but in actuality we provided some funds because one of the books was about reptiles, so we're having the local reptile mobile come in for the kids).

But the majority of the areas that I listed requires funds in order to make a positive impact. School needs new recess equipment, it's going to cost. Being able to bring Benjamin Franklin in to the school to perform an assembly, it's going to cost. A new school sign, it's going to cost. Offsetting the cost of school field trips so that the parents only pay $10 instead of $20, it's going to cost.

So the question is, could you do away with fundraisers and still make a positive impact?... sure you could, but it comes down to just how much you want your group to be able to do.

My best recommendation would be to not do away with the fundraisers, but at the same time stay away from dues. Look more at increasing communication with the parents and making your group something that the parents think about, in a positive way. Have a kicking back to school event promoting involvement. Have a kicking fall event so that parents will start thinking about getting involved. Create a colorful, useful newsletter each month informing the parents about all of the things that you are doing and how your group is not a clique and how everyone's opinion and suggestions are valuable.

This is what I did two years ago when I first became President and now, two years later, instead of having 10 active mebers where 4 or 5 did everything we have 40 active members who can help the 10 that are still going to do the majority.

Good luck,
presidentJim

You know Trisha, there are many different levels of involvement and different perceptions as to what "being involved" means. To some parents, being involved means giving tons of hours, serving as a board officer, and working every event. To others, it means sending cookies for the class parties and cutting out the paper turkey shapes from home for the teacher. Both parents are giving a different level of time committment, but both are doing things that are helpful to the school and valued by the students and teachers. It's all about what you feel you are able to do and what your priorities are. That means that as an officer of the PTO, you need to open up your perceptions of what involvement is and look for ways to encourage and appreciate every effort parents(and teachers) make to help your school be a better place for your students.

As barb_r stated, there are many threads addressing the topic of involvement on this site with many great ideas. You can probably find several that will apply to your group and help you increase involvement. A good place for your board to start would be to make a list of the events and programs around your school in which the PTO would like to be involved. Next, brainstorm what it would take to support those events and programs both from a financial and volunteer standpoint. Then you can start outlining what your needs are, set a budget, seek funds, and put out information about where you need parents' help. Make sure to have a variety of tasks with a variety of time committments, so you can appeal to the largest percentage of parents possible.

PTO to me is about parents and teaches coming together to give our children a better and enriching school experience-- whether it be by involvement in the classroom- having wonderful family nights to promote togetherness-- service projects to support the community-- and fundraising to support all these things. If someone can't help out at the school- but can donate money-- that's great--- they can feel they are contributing and we can use the financial support to enhance the school--- I would love to get more parents involved-- but we have to keep in mind that in this day and age, more parents have to work 1-2 jobs just keep the family together- pay bills- food on the table---.
Remind your parents that they don't have to come to school during the day to be involved-- there are plenty of jobs that can be done at night, at home--- stuffing envelopes, email reminders... etc... find reasons for parents not to be involved and answer them for them, that way there is no excuse not to get involved in their child's future.

Sometimes "involvement" is in the eye of the beholder. For example... I used to serve on a different non profit board. We had one member that NEVER showed up at a meeting. BUT, when it came time for a major event and the need for an underwriter he (and his company) paid off each time better then a lotto machine. Was it out of quilt or actual concern for the organization? No clue, but when I could obtain a $1,000 to $10,000 check with one phone call it was appreciated no matter the reason.

So, while writing a check may not seem like actual involvement, if that check helps you to accomplish your mission, even if it is being accomplished by hiring someone to do it, still doesn't make it a bad thing.

I fully understand that having more people would be nice. But sometimes you just have to settle for the $ instead. In a perfect world you would have an equal amount of people who do money and people who do service.

As to how to get more people and teachers involved... There are several assorted threads around the board that address those topics and have some wonderful ideas. The main point though being to make it fun!

Sorry... know that doesn't really answer anything, but there it is anyhow!

I would like to get some ideas from other PTO involved parents/teacher on what they think PTO organizations should represent. I have been involved with the school PTO for the last three years and the last two I have been an officer. The new officers would like to not do any fundraising, just ask parents in the school, who have businesses to donate money to the PTO. We have had low turn out the last several years and just like anything else it seems like a few people do all the work. People are busy and I understand that but I think that a PTO should be made of teachers and parents that are involved. I guess I don't consider handing a check to the PTO as involvement. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Does anyone have any ideas on how to get more parents/teachers involved?