PTO Today

This week’s round-up features the fun and not so fun.

First the fun. At PTO Today we talk a lot about how important it is to infuse some fun into your parent group. Well, these groups certainly seem to have the fun factor figured out.

• Nothing like some good-natured competition to liven up a school community:  Iron Chef competition.
• This PTO is giving families a chance to get creative with an all-day scrapbooking event.
• Families at this school love their Spaghetti dinner family night tradition. Sometimes it’s the old fashioned favorite that is the most fun.
• Getting high schoolers on board with a fundraiser can be a bit tough. This NJ PTO figured out a fun event to do the trick: a fashion show fundraiser. Loved that they involved the students by sponsoring a contest for the invitation. Neat idea.
• This school combined a  school carnival with a silent auction and had over 1000 attendees. Wow, that says a lot about the community!

Ok, now for the not-so-fun. Speaking to the need of solid financial controls in your parent group, there were several stories in the news this week about embezzlement:

Woman pleads guilty to $35,000 PTA theft.

PTA treasurer sentenced to three years of probation for stealing nearly $75,000 over a six-year period.

Ex-PTA president sentenced for stealing funds.

Here’s another way to ask that question: are you bragging enough about your PTO or PTA? In this week’s video blog Tim says that groups may not realize it, but not boasting enough can have a negative affect on your ability to recruit more members/volunteers and fundraise successfully.

Some of the ways that Tim suggests to promote your group are:

• newsletters
• local newspaper articles (write a press release)
• brass plaques

We also hear of many groups using Twitter and Facebook to toot their horn a bit and grow involvement.

How does your group get the word out to your school about your hard work? We’d love to hear from you.

This week’s round-up highlights projects and events that underscore the mission of  school parent groups.

Have some fun:

Caribbean style

Taking pies in the face

Do good:

Fighting world hunger

Organizing a prom dress swap

Sharing globally

Reinforce school curriculum:

Math-a-Mania

Multi-Cultural Festival

Support our kids:

Fabulous after-school programs

Educating parents on teen safety

Keep doing what you’re doing- you’re doing a great job!

Happy Valentine’s day, Happy Chinese New Year, and Happy President’s day!

Here’s a quick overview of articles from this week. Perhaps these stories about creative PTOs & PTAs will inspire some new ideas for your parent group:

PTO reaches out community members in need. Very nice.
Like how this Nebraska school puts the fun in  fundraisers.

Always enjoy reading about school auctions with fun, upbeat themes.

PTO sponsors afterschool program prepares kids for the business world.

There has been an alarming amount of news about bullying in schools recently. Nice to hear that this PTO is doing it’s part to take on bullying issues.

Also, it’s sad to read so much about school closings. Threats of school closings has sent some parent groups into fundraising overdrive.

Came across several contests that I thought parent group leaders may be interested in:

http://www.meetingtomorrow.com/audio-visual-giveaway.html
http://www.gardenabcs.com/
http://www.parenting.com/momcongress/

Enjoy!

Recently, we had a good exchange on our message boards centered around the question: dues or no dues? Tim is squarely in the “no dues camp” on this question. Watch his video to find out why he believes that dues are a bad idea for PTOs.

I continued to be inspired by the creative ways that parent groups raise money and/or create a sense of community at their schools. Here a few of my favorite event articles in the news this week:

School Family Events:

Enthusiasm is the key ingredient in this parent group-sponsored math night.

PTO runs a fitness day where football rules.

Creative PTO party animals set the stage for success.

Teachers & parents with talent serve up plenty of inspiration at this school!

Loved this PTA event that encourage middle schoolers to honor family history.

And it always saddens me to post articles about thefts from parent groups but they certainly serve as good reminders for PTOs & PTAs to employ smart financial controls.

Parent Group Thefts:

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/020510/new_20100205001.shtml

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100127/LOCAL1804/1270354/Maplewood-Elementary-PTO-chief-jailed-in-theft

Has your parent group been in the news and you’d like to share your story with other leaders? Email me at lgundlach@ptotoday.com and I’ll include it our weekly round-up.

Well happy Friday PTO Today community! Can you believe that January is coming to an end? Felt like a fast month to me, how about you? When you live in New England, winter months flying by is a good thing.

Here’s the news recap for this week:

Found more great stories about schools and parent groups coming through for Haiti with creative ideas:

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/darien/newsnow/x1920347013/Glenbard-schools-host-fundraisers-for-Haiti

http://www.courier-gazette.com/articles/2010/01/29/news_update/252.txt

http://freehold.injersey.com/2010/01/28/freehold-twp-pupils-hopping-for-haiti-2/

Always happy to see articles about fun family events:

Mini golf:  http://www.cannonfalls.com/main.asp

Science Fair: http://www.morningsun.net/featured/x562888504/Lakeside-hosts-annual-Science-Fair

Fundraising, the good, the bad, and the ugly:

Good: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm

http://www.redbankgreen.com/2010/01/get-ready-to-keel-over-in-the-kitchen.html

Bad: http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/Papa-Johns-franchise-short-changed-elementary-schools-83042432.html

Ugly: http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp

Remember, if your parent group  has been in the news and you’d like to share your story with other leaders email me at lgundlach@ptotoday.com and I’ll include your story in our round-up. If you are wondering how to get your school event in the news, be sure to read our article on how to write a press release.

We’ve been working with these guys at Spirit Cups Fundraising for a while now, and I really like the product. Might be because I’m a college sports nut, but I know I’m not alone in that.  The real reason, though, is the uniqueness and the quality. Plus these folks seem like good guys.  Worth a look  if you’re looking for an add-on spring fundraiser.

Reminds me of a key point when it comes to choosing your fundraiser.  Profit matters – sure.  As does service — definitely.  But the third key is the product you choose.  Is it interesting?  Is it of high quality?  Is it something your supporters use  (not *can* use but *do* use).  If it’s a food item, have you tasted it?  Was it great?  The Spirit Cups guys gave us some cups back in the fall. My family of four kids have been using and abusing ever since, and they’re still in great shape  (the cups, that is; the kids are another story ). Had I purchased them in a fundraiser, I’d be a happy customer right now.

Many supporters will buy from you the first time because they trust you and support your cause, but for long-term success you want to treat your supporters right with good quality products at a fair price and with great service.  There are lots of options out there that satisfy on all counts.  Are you making sure that your fundraising choices measure up on all three?

Good luck in your spring efforts.

Lots of PTOs and PTAs in the news. Here’s a round-up of some recent articles and blogs:

Loved reading these stories about what schools and parent groups are doing to help Haiti:

Dimes for Haiti teaches kids math skills and more importantly, about helping others in need.

PTO organizes “dress down day” to raise funds for Haiti.

Some nice work done by PTOs & PTAs (maybe their events will spark some ideas for your group):

PTO sets up “Study Island” for parents.

PTA runs Healthy Family Fun Night.

PTO surprises staff with break room make-over.

PTO helps turn Principal into a human cake!

Theft and controversy in PTAs & PTOs:

Middle school in Texas wonders what’s going on with their PTA funds.

Former PTO President accused of theft.

Parents protest alternate school zoning plan.

Has your parent group been in the news and you’d like to share your story with other leaders? Email me and I’ll include it our round-up. lgundlach@ptotoday.com

Word is out that Simplified Scrip ceased operations on December 21, 2009. The following is a direct quote from their website home page:

“We will now concentrate on taking care of all customers. If you have an outstanding order, you will receive a refund check for any unshipped items. Once all refunds are processed, we will send donation checks for any funds earned during the last quarter.”

A tough economy has forced some tough decisions. We hope that all that are owed refunds are paid promptly and we wish those who have lost jobs, due to this closing, the best of luck.