How to build more PTA involvement?

[Anonymous]

It's really hard to get people to sign up for the PTA, everyone claims they are "too busy" to volunteer their time or support even four things that don't require time during the work day. when the PTA does try to organize events people will give all kinds of well-intentioned advice but doesn't actually want back it up with support.

[Anonymous]

White rich people

[Anonymous]

White rich people

[Anonymous]

The PTA either has not been welcoming in the past or isn't currently welcoming. I tried to get involved and was blown off enough times I gave up.

[Anonymous]

Admit that you’re desperate for help. A lot of people assume PTA’s have lots of volunteers already. Also, don’t make it difficult. People will steer away from anything too time consuming. If you’re at a point where you have to cancel a function bc there isn’t support, say so! Maybe it will cause more parents to help.

[Anonymous]

1. Be sure you provide a welcoming environment. Just because you know lots of people, don't ignore the person who does not seem to know people.
It just takes one bad experience to keep people from returning. You need new people to keep the programs running.
2. Try to have a brief program that is of great interest to parents.
3. Encourage the principal to have teachers attend. When I taught, our principal had it as one of our evaluation factors. I don't think we had to attend every meeting, but we were certainly encouraged to attend.

[Anonymous]

Convert to PTO/HSA. Everybody knows PTA is a ripoff

[Anonymous]

You need word of mouth to help garner support. Host a party for interested parents and talk about what things you want to get done and the needs you have. Ask 5 people to ask another 5 people about a SPECIFIC task or meeting. Etc.

[Anonymous]

1. “If you’re at a point where you have to cancel a function bc there isn’t support, say so! ”
This. Some schools just have too many things and could cut back. Then if you really care about the thing cut you are more apt to find the time to jump in. If not, well that is one less thing.

2. Make coming to PTA meetings a draw by scheduling discussions with the principal during them about things people care about - note the word discussion. It should be a chance to get views on the topic not just a lecture from the principal on what they plan to do.

3. People only have so much time. Requests for constant volunteer time (at DD’s school the room moms are ridiculously expected to attend monthly meetings for instance) eat into leftover volunteer time so be judicious.

4. Do not ask for more people than you need!! My PTA tends to require to people to do the job of 1 for way too many things. Again this uses up volunteer time and also discourages future participation if you feel like you were not really needed due to over staffing volunteer slots.

[Anonymous]

I used to be involved, but PTA was full of drama and petty mean girl behavior. Would never go near it again, nor would most of the people in my school who have already made that mistake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White rich people

Dumb black people.

[Anonymous]

Some of the leaders at my elementary school PTA would come up with extravagant plans for events. And, then dump the ideas on others to execute.

Way too many PTA fundraisers, as well.

[Anonymous]

Don’t have meetings and all planning events mid morning. You are excluding working parents even though you throw in an occasional evening meeting once every few months.

Stop with the teen like cute inside posts between all of you on the closed FB page. It comes across very immature.

Stop kissing up to teachers. It’s nauseating. And I’m a teacher. Treat them as professionals. That’s why I stay far away from my children’s PTA. I don’t want to be associated with that.

[Anonymous]

I don't volunteer because I don't want to be in charge of stuff. I am happy to help out at the school during the day ( I don't work 2 days a week) with anything that doesn't involve being in charge of a committee. I think the jobs should be broken into small tasks and the PTA should focus on having a few successful committees rather ran have so many that they can't run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's really hard to get people to sign up for the PTA, everyone claims they are "too busy" to volunteer their time or support even four things that don't require time during the work day. when the PTA does try to organize events people will give all kinds of well-intentioned advice but doesn't actually want back it up with support.

If this is what you are experiencing, it is probably a few things.

#1) Burnout. If you have two many events or are trying to do too many things, no one will join. If you are doing less than you did before and no one is volunteering, its most likely #2.
#2) Toxic people. If you can't get new people and it's one person doing everything and no one else seems to want to volunteer, it may be that person. Heck it might be you.
#3) Transparency. If your website is out of date, if your budget isn't posted and you don't have clear records, if you have no goals: people aren't going to give you money or time. Oh, and if you used a terrible website builder (and it shows, fyi) no one will go near it.
#4) You have a terrible meeting time and need to change it so people can actually go.