1,2,3-We charge $5 per member or $10 per family
4-We ask for volunteers for different events and committment levels but it is optional.
5-N/A
6-No
7-Yes, see below.
8-Participation increased not because we are now PTO but because we are actively trying to change the culture of our parent group. We use a combination of flyers, emails and one to one interactions to stir interest in getting involved. For the first time, we have almost all positions (board and chairperson) filled for the next school year. Parents are getting excited about volunteering when their friends are doing it as well. (OK, so it's a herd mentality but it works for me!)

Ultimately, it is all about communication, communication and of course communication. Don't be afraid to repeat yourself since you're not always heard the first time. Good luck!

Most of my past experience has been PTA. I am currently on the board of our PTO, and I am not happy with it. The PTA I belonged to was for a school PK-8, with over 1000 students. In the beginning of the year we would have a dues drive. I feel more people enrolled in the PTA by paying their dues because it gave them a sense of belonging. Then again, we were also a small town of 6000+. We published a newsletter 4 times a year, mailing it to all of the members. When I left the school district, we were mailing to over 350 members.
Now that I am involved in PTO, we never see a new face. Our monthly meetings consist of the board (5 of us), administrators (2 to 3) and a handful of parents. We are an intermediate school of over 1600 students. When it comes time for volunteers, it's always the same handful. Yet, we still get the complaints from the parents who aren't happy with the way things are run.
I would gladly vote to go to PTA if the option was ever presented.

And volunteerism is dramatically increasing because the PTA has established more pathways to become involved.

Fiddlesticks- PTA is not the end all be all

The grass always looks greener over the fence, then you find out that it is over the septic tank.

I have seen both PTA and PTO that look like this - PTO OR PTA for that matter doesnt have the grass is greener or septic tank look.

Whether a Parent/School Group is a PTA or PTO IS IRRELEVANT to its success. Finding the people to make it succeed is. PTA does not have the patent or cure all for Parent Groups.

I've seen National, State, Local and PTA's that for lack of a better term... suck!!!

I've also seen National, State and Local PTA's that are phenom... I've also seen PTO's that fit both criteria.

According to the latest official figures, 43% of all statistics are totally worthless.

I have alot of experience in both PTA and PTO schools, one letter dose not make people volunteer!
I am certain tht you will find that as a PTO the same dozen or so people who volunteer in the school, and attend meetings will not really change.

My high school recently switched back to PTA from PTO, membership increased from 65 to over 350. And volunteerism is dramatically increasing because the PTA has established more pathways to become involved.

One local middle school switched from PTA to PTO, dropped membership and dues and made all families members. As a PTA they had just over 100 members, now no membership; but the group is very active within the school.The key is developing goals, and creating ways to get involved.

One letter will not create volunteerism that is not already there!

The grass always looks greener over the fence, then you find out that it is over the septic tank.

Thanks for your input. I'm going to broach this at our officer's meeting in the morning. I think that by being a PTO, charging no dues AND making everyone automatic members that perhaps we can increase involvement. Can't hurt.

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....