Hi Susan-
It sounds like you have some wonderful goals -- that's frustrating that they are being put off.

A couple of questions first: have you had a sit-down conversation with your principal about your concerns? Does your your group put together a strategic plan? (Here is a sample of one: www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...e-pto-strategic-plan) Maybe your principal just needs to see that your ideas are part of a bigger plan? If it is that she wants your PTA to focus only on fundraising, here is great video that talks about how too much fundraising can have the reverse affect that she is looking for: www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...upport-for-new-ideas
It's part of a series of videos where Tim Sullivan talk about the 8 Habits of Highly Effective PTOs and PTAs.

One other article you may find helpful: Build Support for New Ideas .

Has anyone else run into similar obstacles with their principal -- any tips you can offer?

~Lisa

P.S. Just wanted to make sure that you know we have a great, free Internet Safety Night planning kit .

This is the first year that we are trying to incorporate some parent resource events into our calendar. We want to do the internet saety night, a movie night, a family fitness nite and our cultural events chair has a group he wants to bring in as well.
We proposed the internet safety night 2 months ago to the principal. She informed us that they were planning a family literacy night and was hoping we could do both on the same night to get more participation. Good idea. But as of our meeting the first of this month, they still had not gotten together to discuss the literacy event or even pick a date. When we brought it up at the pta meeting, it was quickly brushed aside.
The principals big push is technology. Last year, the PTA purchased smartboards (15 or so) and laptops. This year we are purchasing i touches.
We only do 1 free family event (math and science nite - which is a HUGE event with huge participation), but everything else we do involves fundraising.
We (the pta) feels like we should be doing more for the families, but we feel like we are running against a brick wall. What are some suggestions for helping the principal understand that the families need these events?
BTW, we are a year round school, so we dont have to cram everything into 9 months.