PLEASE HELP! Our school system has recently combined from many elementary schools into one big central elementry school (Pre k - 5). Last year was the first year of the new combined school. The president of the PTO last year did her best to get things done but left this years PTO with practicly nothing. I was elected the president and have not been very happy with how things have been going. At our last meeting there was four members present (including myself). We have not had a meeting yet this year that all officers have been present at, they always seem to have some other meeting to attend? I had to have emergency neck surgery and still was able to attended all meetings. Also, I have one particular officer that doesn't want to do her work and gives me attitude everytime I ask her to do something (she is the publicity officer).My first problem is that I don't understand why parents volunteer if they are not willing to attend meetings or do any of the required work? The next thing that I am wondering is how to get other members more involved. Plenty of parents send in baked goods or other things but when they volunteer to work an event, they don't show up? At our most recent event we had about 75 parents volunteer to work the food booth. We sent home a reminder to these parents and gave them a phone call a few days before the event. Still we had only about 12 show up? It is like this at almost every event except for at Holiday dinners. We have 1,072 students which means we have somewhere around 2,200 parents. What should I do? I am thinking about making a motion to disolve the group. Please send me any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Amanda-
Yikes. Sounds like there is a lot going on in your group! One thing to think about is that meeting attendance doesn't always matter. That said, there is nothing more frustrating than people not doing what they said they would do!

Have you done some community building events? Maybe if people felt more connected to the school community they'd be better at following through.

Have you thought about doing a survey to your parents to get some insight? Here's an article that can help you do that:
www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...-an-effective-survey

Anyone else have some suggestions for Amanda?

~Lisa

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Amanda, hello
We at our school are having the same problem, only difference that at our meeting we do have about 30 parents but nothing is really said or shown. Honestly its pretty borring.

I think one thing to do would be to pass out flyers at the open houses if you have any or in any activity planed an present the activities at the begging of the year.

I am tring to do the same. Have your principal contact teachers and staff also to see if they can help.


Good luck. I really think that you should not give up