For your parent group resolution, I'll give you three possibilities. Little habit changes that can make a big difference:
1. Make each of your family events 20 percent more special. Pony up for the good DJ or add free popcorn (yes, free!) or see whether you can get the fire trucks to come down to your fair. Special events attract more families, and (key secret!) they also attract more and better volunteers. Check out this article on ways to make your events more memorable.
2. Use email for quick thanks. Spend 15 minutes after events writing three- to five-sentence emails to volunteers. It's amazing how effective this habit can be. Need a great, free email tool for your group? Check out Parent Express Email.
3. Smile. Have more fun. One of your goals, I'm sure, is to recruit your own replacement, right? Well, that's awfully hard to do if everyone sees and hears how taxing your job is. What signals are you sending? Can you change those in the new year? I bet you can.
From all of us here at PTO Today, best wishes for a fantastic 2012. May your volunteers be plentiful (and on time!). May your fundraisers sell themselves. And may your school community thrive like never before. Happy New Year!
