Some background....
Our almost four year old PTA serves two schools, pre-K through fifth. We had an unsuccessful bid to switch to being a PTO one year into opur existence. The superintendent felt the name recognition of PTA was worth continuing and the few who voted agreed with that. There was no real drama, just stating the facts on both sides and voting. The vote was 4-3 in favor of staying a PTA.
OK.....now, here's where I am currently coming from:
We have no attendance at our meetings and despite having the Three for Me volunteer program, it is still like pulling teeth to get folks to commit to helping out at events and programs. We log in hundreds of hours in volunteering each month but 90% of those hours are put in by the same dozen or so moms. I am wondering if people who are in PTOs at schools where all families are automatically members have more of a feeling of ownership, of belonging. Does the fact that PTAs charge dues put off prospective members?
Here are my questions for those of you who used to be PTAs ans are now PTOs: (Please feel free to chime in with opinions even if you that is not your circumstance.)
1-Do you count all parents, caregivers, etc as members of your PTO?
2-Do you tell them that?
3-Do you charge dues?
4-Do you tell families that they are expected to volunteer? Whether it is left as a blanket statement or specified in time required?
5-How would you word such a statement? Matter-of-factly or sugar-coated?
6-Did membership increase from PTA to PTO?
7-Did involvement increase from PTA to PTO?
8-Any other input would be of tremendous help~!
Thanks so much for taking the time to help.

Debbie,

I have zero experience with PTA so I'll comment on your eight specific items based on PTO experience alone.

1. Parents/guardians of any enrolled students and staff of the school are automatically members.
2. We communicate this via a PTO brochure that goes out to everyone at the start of each school year and to any newcomers throughout the year.
3. No dues.
4. No expectations of volunteer hours. If we 'expected' it, we'd lose the folks we do have. We want willing, enthusiastic volunteers. I'd rather have 10 willing volunteers than 20 'prisoners'. I personally wouldn't appreciate any group telling me what I have to do.
5. I would disagree with any approach.
6. N/A
7. N/A
8. Many PTOs also charge dues for a variety of reasons. I wouldn't use that one reason to make such a drastic change. I'd suggest you poll the parents to find out why they aren't getting involved. Do volunteers at your school have to be a PTA member to participate? Or does that just buy them the right to be a voting member? I guess the question I'm trying to get around to is do parents have to pay to be a member before they can volunteer for anything? If the answer is yes, I'd consider changing just that rule to see if it increases involvement before changing the whole package. You know, perhaps state that everyone is a general member but must pay dues to be a voting member.

I havent seen that dues or no dues has any impact on involvement. the overriding factor seems is the group CULTURE.

its kind of like people management, how to get people to do things becuase they WANT to, not becuase they HAVE to. and that depends on people skills and how you manage your group and if you are inclusive or exclusive.

but you dont have to be an MBA to know how to run a group, lots is just plain old common sense type things. my 2 cents.

We have always been PTO but I will answer your questions
1. We count all family members as PTO members--aunts, uncles, grandparents, anyone who plays a part in the child's life. We also count anyone acting as guardian of the child. Many of our families are raising children not their own biologically and we want anyone who cares about kids to be involved.
2. We do tell them that several times throughout the year. We have started having more regular communications this year than ever before and that has helped our numbers of volunteers.
3. We do not charge dues because we do not feel members should have to pay to be involved in their child's school.
4. We ask but do not require that members volunteer one hour per year. Setting a specific time limit has also helped our numbers. People who want to do more, do more. And others feel good that they know they won't be continuously called upon to volunteer--they won't fall into the black hole, so to speak.
5. We are matter of fact. We explain the benefits both they and their kids receive from volunteering. I used a top ten kind of list that I found on these boards and got a great response from it. Both parents and the admin thought it was great.
6. & 7. NA
8. Our numbers at meetings are small, though higher than last year. That seems to be due to our increase in communication, our limiting the time we ask people to volunteer, and a willingness to be open to ideas an inclusive of people. What is important, I think, is that we have people who give whatever they can and know it will be appreciated. I am real big on thank you's, even if it's just for attending a meeting.

Okay our school made this switch six years ago!
1-all parents/guardians are members, we constantly remind families of this all year.
2-so yes we do tell them, it is also on our info flyers
3-no dues and no charges for any events we do
4-no expectations as far as volunteer hours, we try to push every hour counts no matter how much or how little
5-matter of fact about what they receive by it HOWEVER you must take into consideration that alot of people can only give two hours a year
6-yes...BIG TIME
7-YES...BIG TIME
8-I think that sometimes that stigma of the PTA hurts and if you have a cliche group that only hurts more. You need to have that fun, friendly open feeling. I am not saying PTA's arent friendly that is just the stigma that is portrayed (really think about it) This goes back years when you were someone if you were a 'pta' mom, the whole harper valley thing....