My Tip of the Week: Does Your PTO Make New Parents Feel Welcome?
Do you remember when you were brand-new at your school and attending your first events or PTO or PTA meetings? Did you feel like an outsider? I bet you did.
I know for a fact that most officers and veteran volunteers don't intend to give off that vibe. But think about what you do before these events start. Do all of your officers sit together and shoot the breeze right up until the meeting begins? Do you skip introductions (because "everyone knows each other") and get right down to business?
My tip to you: At every PTO or PTA event this year, assign an officer to be the welcome wagon person. Literally. This person should arrive early and focus on personally welcoming any new faces and introducing those people around. Heck, they can even sit with the new parents. A nice email note after would be a great final touch.
I can't overemphasize how important these first impressions are. How can your group say "hello" throughout the year? We have great resources on this topic. Check out:
