I certainly understand your concerns -- at some point the desire to reward the kids who work on the fundraiser also becomes a punishment for the kids who didn't. Different schools handle this different ways, but one good solution involves a celebration for the whole school where -- if this is considered a priority -- some of the kids get an extra reward or recognition for their success. For one thing, a celebration that involves the whole school is a lot better for promoting school spirit and a sense of community than one that leaves out a percentage of students (which can actually be divisive).
One thing the parent group leaders may not realize is that rewards programs like this are negotiable. Just because a fundraising company has a standard program for rewards doesn't mean it can't be altered to better suit your school's needs. A good sales rep should be able to listen to the PTO's concerns and help come up with an approach that works for the school and the fundraising company.
I'm wondering in the case you describe whether the PTO leaders might feel that they have a good and successful fundraiser, so they want to stick with it -- even if the rewards program isn't what they would like it to be. But if the fundraising company has been around for awhile, it's likely they've run into this concern before. It would be worth going back to them to discuss alternatives.
- Craig
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I think thats just awful. Our school has a goal for each child, but the child isn't punished if they don't make that goal. Never has. I think the only way to sovle this is for you to run for president next year and do what a PTO should be doing. Taking care of all the students, not just the few they feel like standing up for. I'm with ya. : )
- jmapenguin
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