How to Make the Viral PTO Action Figure Set Using ChatGPT

Recruiting volunteers is always a challenge for every PTO and PTA at the start of the school year, but the more creative you can get with your messaging, the more likely it is that parents will actually tune in to what you're saying. One way to do that effectively is through social media and tapping into what's trending. The viral PTO Volunteer Action Figure Set has been making the rounds on social media, so we just had to test drive it and create our very own PTO Action Figures (featuring the likes of two PTO Today staffers, of course!).

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This fun and quirky recruitment tool was created using ChatGPT's AI-driven creativity and a simple image-generating writing prompt. You can easily customize our writing prompt below to generate a similar image for your group—just copy and paste our writing prompt, tweak for your own needs, upload your headshots, and let ChatGPT work its magic. It’s the perfect way to make your group stand out and make volunteer recruitment feel fun and exciting for parents!

ChatGPT Writing Prompt for PTO Action Figure Set

Note: the above image was created using ChatGPT.

First, to use the image generator on ChatGPT, you'll need to create a free account. Then, add your writing prompt! Modify our image-generating prompt (below) for inspiration or write your own. You can upload photos for each person you want to turn into a PTO action figure (be sure to get their permission, first), or just describe with detail what you'd like each figure to look like and the specific accessories you'd like included, like "a red roll of tickets", "wearing volunteer name tags", and instructions, like including your school colors and school mascot. Have fun with it!

Also, something to keep in mind: image generators still have difficulties understanding text, so often images generated that feature text may not render with the correct spelling of the text (for example, a "Dunkin" coffee cup may read "DNKN"). Be specific in your prompt to help guide image generation, e.g. "make sure the red Stanley is clearly labeled STANLEY".

Below is the ChatGPT writing prompt we used to create our image featuring two PTO Today staffers: 

Create an image: A plastic action figure set in premium packaging featuring 2 female action-figures dressed in white and blue “PTO Mom” sweatshirts and jeans. The action figures have plastic doll-like action figure faces. One has brown hair in a messy bun and the other has blonde hair. They have bendable arms and legs. One is wearing Uggs for shoes and the other is wearing Air Jordan sneakers. The packaging includes the following accessories: one tablet, one Dunkin' hot coffee cup (clearly labeled with text that reads DUNKIN), a roll of red raffle tickets, a red Stanley (clearly labeled with text that reads STANLEY), a clipboard, a stack of “Volunteer!” flyers, one bag of popcorn (clearly labeled "POPCORN"), a megaphone, balloons, one magazine that clearly reads PTO Today Magazine, and one certificate with a gold seal that clearly reads PTO TODAY INSURANCE. One of the figures is holding 3 balloons. Both have "Hi My Name Is" sticker on their shirts. The figures are displayed side by side inside a plastic box with a yellow, blue and white school branded background and the school mascot (a unicorn), and the label at the top reads in bold 'Meet Your PTO Board Members'. Along the bottom, there is text that reads 'Join the fun at our next PTO meeting!' 

After you've entered your writing prompt, ChatGPT Images will generate the image you’ve described. It may take several minutes to generate, depending on the complexity of your instructions. Once your image has generated, right click to save the file to your desktop. 

Check out a few of the fun PTO Action Figures created and shared on Facebook by PTOs as fun April Fool's Day pranks! 

From Bancroft PTO: New fundraiser alert! Buy a set of PTO action figures to support your school's PTO!

Kelly Chapman's PTO Action Figure even includes a #PTOkid who is absolutely thrilled that they get to come to the PTO meeting, too (there will be free snacks there...right?!). If you'd like to use her caption for a fun April Fool's Day prank, copy and paste the below: 

Prairie View PTO even managed to fit their whole PTO crew in a box:

While you're here...get our full list of special days to celebrate during the school year - appreciation days, silly treat days, and more!  

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