Effingham Elementary (N.H.) PTO leaders worked from the start of the year to foster an atmosphere where new ideas were welcomed. They changed their focus from fundraising to building involvement. The results included four new family fun nights where students and parents ate together, then participated in team-building activities. The group shed the perception that it was a clique and built from a few regulars to 50 members. They also ran a large after-school program and helped build a nature and fitness trail around the school.

What the judges loved: Once a PTO has a “clique” reputation, it can be extremely difficult to change people’s attitudes—both within and outside the group. Effingham PTO did the right thing by becoming more welcoming, focusing on family events, and being open to new ideas.

Cool fact: More than 50 percent of students participate in the after-school club run by the PTO. Offerings include woodworking, chess, scrapbooking, Legos, and dance.