I have researched PTA's with unit goals like: Increase parent invovlement through volunteerism. Promote student academic progress. Increase the number of PTA sponsored non-fundraising events.
This last year our goal was to fix our playground. We had a Auction. Our first one ever. The people in charge took alot of lip from those who thought it should be done this way, but were no where to help. Six people with the support of a few others put on this auction. It turns out wonderful. We made $17,000.00. This price tag came with a lot of late nights and tears. Our out come with assistance from the school of a tune of under $7,000.00 we got a new playground. Mind you that the realistic price tag because of the donation of lobor and parent with the right know how and equiptment our playground would have cost $41,000.00. It looks wonderful and the feed back is great so far, but I am waiting for some negative responce. In my eyes and all the really long hours and hard work I look into the childrens smiling faces and it makes it all worth while. Also our playground is a place for our children to be safe and play not hurt. Good luck syrl
Our goals have pretty much bee the same the past 3 years, Science Programs for all grade levels (K-12); play equipment for the lower grades; scholarship for Outdoor Education (mainly help the students that want to go); and a few other new ideas. We work on a budget that is usually less that $1500 a year so we really have to strech our money or find ways to have programs donated (last year we ordered $750 worth of programs through the Denver Museum and paid $150 thanks to corporate sponsorship and grants).
I dream of the day our Treasurer will read of a balance in the hundreds of thousands and we can play to bring the teachers many of the items that they need along with the students but until then I guess we will do the best we can with what we are given.
We have tried to assess our organizations' and the schools' needs. What do we really need to improve this year. Two years it was to increase membership and we did a y2k theme. This past year our goal was to enhance communication between home and school. Yes we let the membership know our goals and kept them up to speed as to what we were doing to achieve the goal and how they could help. It really depends on where your needs are.
I'm an upcoming new pres. I'm curious what sorts of goals different PTO/PTA's set. Ours has never focused on goals before, other than a goal for fundraising. So far all I've thought of is increasing PTO membership to 75% of families & I forget how much for the teachers (I'd need to check the minutes). And we do plan to make a large purchase (we refer to it as an "enhancement") & we'll set up a committee to narrow down choices after checking with teachers, etc.. Then we'll bring it to a vote before the membership. But that's it.
What types of goals do you all set? I'm just looking for some examples -- current or past. And how good have you been at accomplishing them? Do you make your goals known to the general membership? Some of you have mentioned that you plan your theme for your membership drives around your yearly goal. Could you give some examples of that too (how you tie the two things together)?
