Sure, last year we started asking parents to sign-up for an e-mail listing. I e-mail all of the fliers that go home so there may be duplication, but if they dont get it from the backpacks hopefully they'll check their e-mail. I also send out an invitation e-mail a couple of days before the PTO meeting and include the agenda and discuss some of the highlights of what we'll be discussing.
It has helped slightly with increasing active membership, with a trickle effect (one or two here and there). We've increased our membership more through our Back to School event (beginning of the school year) and having amazingly fun events.
We have gotten to the point that nothing works (incentives, raffles etc). We are now going to try to have everyone (or most) sign up to receive a monthly newsletter from the PTO through email during our conferences this week. We are hoping that if we make the newsletters interesting, fun and informative and not all about fundraising that eventually (we know that it won't happen overnight) we might get a better response for volunteer positions. After that, maybe, just maybe some will come to the meetings or respond through email to offer suggestions.
Keep in mind, that we are just trying this out but this is what we have come to so far. Has anyone else taken this approach????
fairmount elementary PTO;138759 wrote: Where will I find info on how to do a "build a book" for the kids who attend our meetings with their parents. It sound excellent!
Scholastic has partnered with Klutz to host Build-A-Book events. I believe these are only in conjunction with book fairs, but I may be wrong.
Here is a link:
Good Job!! We always had a bad turnout and we wanted this year to be better, so we implemented a "PTO Incentive Program". We will at the end of the school year draw names of parents who came to the meeting in the following matter: if you come to 3 meeting you can win a $25.00 gift card, if you come to 6 meeting you could win a $50.00 gift card and if you come to all 9 you could win a $100.00 gift card. We keep track of parents by them signing a "sign in book" also we give raffle tickets to the parents to give to their child. If the child turns in the raffle ticket to the teachers, the class or classes with most win a treat.
Our last two meeting were packed. We would get maybe 5 or so in the past we had over 50 the last two meetings. We sent fliers home explaning the program and put it in our newsletter as well. We hope that the word gets out and even more people will come. We also have a new principal who is supporting the PTO and get the teachers and kids excited about it. I hope this help out and good luck.
