Pati, I too live in a rural district with a large nationally acclaimed university and small hospital nearby. Our school board and economic devlopment commission, in conjunction with our community/school groups are examining more ways to utilize these resources better. Find out if there are any plans being made by your Board and local officials to tap into your university and other underutilized resources. If not, ask why, and be prepared with suggestions. Ask that your group be included and made a part of the process. This will give you contacts at the university, as well as within your local leadership infrastructure.

Our high school athletic/band boosters club was in the same boat as you as far as no one knowing that they were providing the equipment and supplies to the band and teams. So they began "tooting their own horn" (pardon the pun) and published letters in the local papers, sent newsletters home with accomplishments and goals listed, and posted signs and banners on the playing fields and such crediting themselves with the new scoreboards, bleachers, concessions, etc. This has gone a long way towards getting them the recognition they deserve for their dedication to the children, and taken the heat off the Board (who was being accused of excessively spending for one high school and not for the other).

To keep from becoming monotonous, we don't always hold meetings in the schools; instead we ask a local coffee shop or diner to host us at a discount for coffee and refreshemnts (sometimes they host us for free) in exchange for free advertising for their business in our newsletter and on signs at our functions. When we do host meetings in the school, we ask one of them to cater with light refreshments, again in exchange for more exposure to the community. These school/business partnerships have gone a long way towards improving our local economy, as well, by giving the locals exposure to our little-known gems within the county and improving the image of the businesses as being concerned about education. Now when we need something from the business community, we are not shy about asking, because we know the owners and they are familiar with us.

Overall, though, our best success has come from our partnerships with our local health department, dept. of social services, chamber of commerce, economic development commission, real estate agencies, elected officials, and businesses. Through these partnerships, we have been able to kick off a huge PR campaign for our schools and groups...and it has given us some terrific ideas for our meetings. And they are surprisingly more approachable and willing to help than one would initially think.

[img]smile.gif[/img] Hope this helps...and if you ever find the key to getting total involvement from teachers (our weakest point) and community alike...please don't keep it to yourself!

I read somewhere that the PTA has a IM-type discussion. I think thats a great idea. Perhaps your bylaws dont discourage this. I think you should try it. I am going to suggest this to our new Pres. You're right in that people dont have time for meetings. Our school is the same way. Lots of people show up for fun events (which we hold almost once per month); but not for meetings. Our parents are great about volunteering, too!! Perhaps if they just have to go online, which more of us do now-a-days, it will increase participation. Its worth a try!

Hope someone tries this and reports back!
Lisa @ Tx

We have pretty good response when it comes to asking for volunteers and supplies. However, our parents have no interest in General PTO meetings. Several years ago (way before my time), the organization decided to hold only 2 general meetings a year. One is at the beginning of school to approve the budget. The other is in May to elect new officers. All business is conducted by the executive board, which is large (25-30 members).

I was uncomfortable with this when I first get involved thinking, "Well, we have to hold general meetings." But, I now understand this process works far better for us. Many of the parents are willing to help, to sign up for things - they just don't want another drain on their time in the form of meetings.

We have a monthly newsletter and send home lots of flyers. Anyone who wants to attend the Board meeting is welcome. At the general meetings, we hand out a bulleted flyer on "PTO Accomplishments". It's very direct and tells them what's been accomplished.

I don't want to discourage you - others here are giving you some great advice to attract people to the meetings. However our approach of focusing parent participation in activities and reducing the number of meetings has worked well for us. Two is probably the least you can get by with. Ten the most. You can always pick something in between.

If you do this, communication in other formats is essential (flyers, newsletter, bulletin board, etc.). You have to be careful the Board doesn't come to be seen as a closed group.

I sent out a survey at the beginning of school last year when I was VP. We had poor response. Mostly parents saying they just don't have time, they are tired of the same things (but no suggestions), or leave it the way it is - but the way it is isn't working! A few years ago they had door prizes at meetings which worked for a couple of months but then faded. (that was before I joined)and even ice cream parties for the classes with the most parents attending meetings but the classes with board members' children won every month so that wasn't a very good idea. Our family fun nights have been bowling, and the Winter Carnival every February. Other than that Santa Shop, Book Fairs, Olympics, not much else. Only minor things like lunches for conferences and Teacher Appreciation Day, we provide school supplies for the families that cannot afford them, financially support prizes for spirit days, we also give $1000 scholarship each year to a graduating senior. It seems as though most of the things we do go unnoticed. The monies from the Carnival always goes back to the schools. For example, we bought the marquis outside and last year we offered to help pay for a new sound system in the gym-DEFINITELY NEEDED.I doubt anyone will know where it came from when it's put in. They just assume the school does everything. I made a list to send out when school begins of everything PTO did last year. Our PTO is pre-school to 12th grade. Approx. 700 students total. Would it do any good to have general meetings only twice a year instead of monthly like we do now or would that alienate us even more? I am definitely contacting the college. Thanks for the suggestion. Sorry this was so long but I'm desperate. Hope you can help.

[ 07-15-2002: Message edited by: Pati ]</p>

Get the college to work with you. When they schedule their speaker, have them also schedule an hour or two for your school. Or if it is the parents who are showing no interest (I just re-read your post...lol), have the college supply flyers to be sent home to your parents. That way only the parents who want to attend can. Our near-by college works with us that way. If there is something going on there that our parents and/or students would find interesting, they send us flyers to send home. When they get a really cool artist or something that our children will enjoy, they take the speaker, dancer, poet, whatever around to all our schools. We are rural and this works out very well. Get the college involved!

Have you tried a survey? Find out what their interests are. Perhaps parenting issues, money management, etc. Ask for ideas. Also, people always come when there is free food and door prizes. Do you also have Family Fun events? They usually have a bigger turnout.

I am kinda in the same boat. I am scheduling speakers and am worried no one will show up!!

Good Luck
Lisa @ Tx