PTA can't find new officers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people like to say use the perception the PTA is "unwelcoming" as an excuse. Its always easier to assume someone else will do all the work and you can just reap the benefits.

When I first started going to PTA meetings I felt out of place because I did not know anyone. Now some of the people I met through PTA are some of my best friends.

I think everyone has different experiences at different schools. Gasp.

+1, the first year I went to all the PTA meetings. They had to notice as often there were 20-30 people there, pretty sad. I always volunteer at any request from donations to time. Still feel really unwelcome. Next year I give up and am not doing anything. I was often the only non-PTA leadership at requests sadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Describing PTA board membership as "a second job" also doesn't make it particularly inviting for parents who already have a lot on their plate. I understand that it feeds your martydom, but it's also pushing people away.

On our PTA, which I think is typical, it really depends on the Board position. I have described some positions as “a great way to learn more about the school, the PTA, and how it all works.” But President and Treasurer? Those I’d describe as a second job. No reason to lie to people or have them be so overwhelmed they quit after a month.[/quote]

+1 It's a second job, which is why I will never sign on. I will and do volunteer for events and to help up when I can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Describing PTA board membership as "a second job" also doesn't make it particularly inviting for parents who already have a lot on their plate. I understand that it feeds your martydom, but it's also pushing people away.

On our PTA, which I think is typical, it really depends on the Board position. I have described some positions as “a great way to learn more about the school, the PTA, and how it all works.” But President and Treasurer? Those I’d describe as a second job. No reason to lie to people or have them be so overwhelmed they quit after a month.[/quote]

+1 It's a second job, which is why I will never sign on. I will and do volunteer for events and to help up when I can.

+1000. NP here and PTA President. It is absolutely my second job. Why would telling the truth make me seem like I'm claiming to be a martyr? I'm certainly not going to sugarcoat it. I would never mislead anyone and tell them it's easy peasy. While I enjoyed certain aspects of it and working with the other board members, Principal, etc. have been wonderful, I am so looking forward to the end of this stint! It is tons of work and it is a thankless and very misunderstood job. Would I recommend it? Yes, but only if you are okay with all the negative things that go with it and if you have job/schedule flexibility for the next 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a PTA president, about to start my second year as president because we couldn't convince anyone to take the job on. I don't believe in arm-twisting someone into a volunteer role. My motivation is to support my kids' school and because I think I have the organizational skills to stay on top of all the pieces of the job. But it is a no joke job, year-round. And I can't neatly compartmentalize it into the 4 hours I'd like to spend on it per week - there are daytime meetings, emails all the time, night events, weekend events, Board meetings, regular PTA meetings... the list goes on and on.

Our Board has a mix of moms and dads, but moms (many of whom also have full-time paid employment) do the vast, vast majority of uncompensated PTA labor in our school. One of my goals for the upcoming year is to talk more about this inequity and to scale back on some of the labor-intensive activities the PTA does and try to focus on work that our community values the most and that requires less of us.

This is laudable. Sometimes these things snowball (per the valid teacher appreciation week complaints) into things that are not valued and are a lot of work. Why!??! Brilliant to shit the focus to high-value, low labor things. Like providing t-shirts for field day, for example. We should start a thread of these and see if anyone agrees. Teacher appreciation week is def high labor low value. One catered teacher appreciation lunch? Spectacular.

This is OP. I think this makes a lot of sense. If our PTA indeed doesn't dissolve (and maybe I have to become President for this not to happen, sigh) the first task maybe should be a survey of parents and teachers to identify the most high-value events, and scale everything way back this year, with some time for reflection on how we will move forward in the future. With all of the working parents and people's challenging lives (I have since spoken to various people who have explained that they have ill relatives, or job uncertainly, or a number of things I was unaware of) the traditional PTA of my 1980s childhood probably just isn't realistic (at least not for our school). Thanks everyone for your ideas and encouragement. And to answer the question about PTA reputation, I have been at the school for 3 years and have never heard complaints about the PTA being exclusive or snobby or whatever, so I don't think that's a big part of it.

[Anonymous]

The PTA needs to show accountability. For parents AND teachers. Some principals allow teachers to never get involved or ask to go to one event. There needs to be a point based system to spread the wealth and show involvement.

1 point equals 1 hour.

Each family should be asked to achieve 5 points and then posts lists and sign-ups online.

The only time parents get involved for the most part if kids and teachers are involved OR if their accountability is broadcasted. EVERYONE has 5 hours to spare to help their school in some capacity. Even if it means counting box tops at home once a month for an hour. Some schools earn 5 figures with box tops while some earn $0.

I started off strong, but like others, it is emotionally draining to hear how busy everyone is too. And you are stuck doing so much work. Like somehow the PTA parents that are involved, aren’t busy. It is so demeaning and that is why thevhelp drops quickly.

Keep the events fun and simple. SHOW who is helping. SHOW who is donating. SHOW where the money is going towards. Involve the teachers. Give classroom donations to teachers that achieve their 5 points. Have one person involved that just makes sure everyone feels grateful - hospitality. Boost morale. Keep events simple and stop the endless fundraising plugs.

[Anonymous]

Also, all board members should have 2-3 priority parking spaces that only they can use at the school. THAT is a perk that would make me consider since you can’t pay anyone.

[Anonymous]

What IS up with Teacher Appreciation WEEK? Mother's and Jesus only get one day!

[Anonymous]

This is laudable. Sometimes these things snowball (per the valid teacher appreciation week complaints) into things that are not valued and are a lot of work. Why!??! Brilliant to shit the focus to high-value, low labor things. Like providing t-shirts for field day, for example. We should start a thread of these and see if anyone agrees. Teacher appreciation week is def high labor low value. One catered teacher appreciation lunch? Spectacular.

This X100. We had one mom who was president for one year but then afterwards kept up the T-shirt pressure. Everything had to have a t-shirt paid for by the PTA. Good forbid enough money wasn't allocated for the free t-shirts at the several events. On top of this, there needed to be a new cool t-shirt design each year to encourage more t-shirt sales. These were fine when the kids were little but for 5th grade promotion no kid ever wore it again because middle schoolers don't want to wear elementary school t-shirts.

Our book fair is ridiculous. Moms are expected to make 3 dimensional decorations to turn the hallway and media center into the theme of the book fair. The book fair is open constantly so kids can run down any time during class and buy crap -more crap gets sold than books. The PTA has to fund all the book fair raffles and snacks for volunteers during the week of book fair being constantly open.

[Anonymous]

Find out what the absolute bare minimum requirements are to qualify as a PTA. Make it very clear to everyone signing up for the coming year that they will be participating in the "rebuilding/discernment year" and they will NOT be expected to take on whatever traditional things PTA has done.

Gives everyone a year to focus on what kind of PTA would work best for the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What IS up with Teacher Appreciation WEEK? Mother's and Jesus only get one day!

Almost had my drink come out of my nose on this one, and I say this as someone who loves teachers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What IS up with Teacher Appreciation WEEK? Mother's and Jesus only get one day!

Hahaha!

[Anonymous]

Find out what the absolute bare minimum requirements are to qualify as a PTA. Make it very clear to everyone signing up for the coming year that they will be participating in the "rebuilding/discernment year" and they will NOT be expected to take on whatever traditional things PTA has done.

Gives everyone a year to focus on what kind of PTA would work best for the school.

This would only work for a PTA that isn't part of MCCPTA. For MCCPTA there would still be a lot of paperwork work for the president and treasurer with zero pay off that you are doing anything for your kids or teachers.

OP- you also want to make sure to spend ALL the reserves this year on your current school. If your PTA dissolves and funds are left over I'm not sure what happens. The last thing you want is for money to go to MCCPTA. The parents who donated in past years did so with the thought that it would benefit their school.

[Anonymous]

I have volunteered for a couple of different PTAs in different ways (though never on the Board). I was thinking about volunteering for the Board at one school this coming year but ultimately decided against it because of the experiences I have had. I don't feel unwelcome (or even care about that), but I do feel like often I end up wasting my time.

For example
-- I responded to the desperate plea to help at the book fair--showed up and wasn't needed, ended up handing plastic bags to the cashier and told I could go home after a half hour.
-- I volunteered to help revise the bylaws--was told I would get info from the person in charge, and then heard nothing until they were done (yes, I asked along the way). I wasn't needed, and although I had some feedback along the way, I never got a chance to give it.
-- I attended committee meetings to help start a new program. I was asked give input and to review documents for clarity, etc. I reviewed and marked up and shared with the group. All comments ignored, without a word. Fine (they were just suggestions), but it was a waste of my time.

I want to help, but I have felt like my help wasn't actually needed or wanted. Not sure which. I don't take it personally or think it's intentional, but I don't have that time to waste.

[Anonymous]

I have been PTA president for a few terms. The trick is to find a way to have an easy way to communicate with all people in the school - listservs and FB, website and school newsletter. Make membership enrollment online. Bring opportunities that bring real value to students/parents, Each time you ask parents to do something for the PTSA - attend a meeting, donate, buy something, man concessions - it has to be something that they understand directly benefits their pwn child. Only then you will get the engagement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This is laudable. Sometimes these things snowball (per the valid teacher appreciation week complaints) into things that are not valued and are a lot of work. Why!??! Brilliant to shit the focus to high-value, low labor things. Like providing t-shirts for field day, for example. We should start a thread of these and see if anyone agrees. Teacher appreciation week is def high labor low value. One catered teacher appreciation lunch? Spectacular.

This X100. We had one mom who was president for one year but then afterwards kept up the T-shirt pressure. Everything had to have a t-shirt paid for by the PTA. Good forbid enough money wasn't allocated for the free t-shirts at the several events. On top of this, there needed to be a new cool t-shirt design each year to encourage more t-shirt sales. These were fine when the kids were little but for 5th grade promotion no kid ever wore it again because middle schoolers don't want to wear elementary school t-shirts.

Our book fair is ridiculous. Moms are expected to make 3 dimensional decorations to turn the hallway and media center into the theme of the book fair. The book fair is open constantly so kids can run down any time during class and buy crap -more crap gets sold than books. The PTA has to fund all the book fair raffles and snacks for volunteers during the week of book fair being constantly open.

Snacks for volunteers??? Bizarre.