Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 17:20     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
I kind of appreciate the direct ask. I’d rather have that than get nickeled and dimed nonstop all year for every bake sale, birthday party, restaurant night, etc. Just give me a number in the beginning of the year and be done with it. We’re all grown adults and know the deal.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 17:18     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Anonymous wrote:I am looking for a reality check - don't hold back. Below is the intro to an email from the Janney PTA - I think there have been two similar emails earlier in the school year. This aggressive badgering of parents started last year and I decided that I was not going to give a dime because I hate this approach and do not want to encourage it. At this point I am prepared to send an email to the PTA Presidents and the Principal (I love her) voicing my displeasure at being harassed and shamed into making what is a VOLUNTARY donation. What am I missing? Am I wrong here? Just the fact that they track families is disturbing to me!


"Hi friends!
We have just 145 families who have not yet made a tax-deductible donation to Janney’s Student Support Fund (yep- that’s you guys!). Please know that we appreciate & recognize the many contributions you all make to our school on a daily basis, but please also know that our DCPS-allocated budget is not enough to cover the basic needs of our school."


This isn't a guerilla tactic, it's just the truth and you don't like it. They aren't shaming anyone -- they are sharing the reality. There are still 145 families who haven't given, you are one of them, and they are hoping that you will join with the rest of community and contribute something to help cover the shortfall between what it costs to provide everything Janney offers to students and what is allotted in the DCPS budget. Nowhere do they belittle you or shame you -- they just state the facts. You can choose to give or to not give, but own your choice and don't blame it on a "guerilla" email.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 17:05     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
The direct approach may work better. But next cut the reluctant parents out of any Janney mommy-wine parties and their kids out of the Janney parade.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:57     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
On principle, I refuse to donate to my child’s school. Although I can afford it.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:54     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Pretty terrible approach. I'm sure there are families who can't afford much of anything, even at Janney. There's no reason to shame them.

This sounds like it was written by someone who lacks empathy and perspective.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:53     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Who the heck is going to give in June - you're just going to get hit up again in August!
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:52     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wow, do they send emails to the families that don’t contribute? It is a bit shame-y for my taste but at the same time, the average Janney family can contribute some amount (any amount is welcome) and is reaping the benefits from the PTA funded resources.

(FTR, I do contribute the suggested amount for both my kids.)


From what OP said, she doesn't contribute and got that message.

At our school, there are appeals but they don't guilt or single people out. Instead, an email goes to everyone saying something like "we're grateful that 75% of families have contributed to our campaign but and we are hoping to reach 100%. Any amount, no matter how small, will help us reach our goal...."


Our school does it too - but doesn't get more than half. The truth is that Janney most likely has it's high participation rate because of this type of tactic. You may hate it, but it's effective,
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:49     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Anonymous wrote:
At our school, there are appeals but they don't guilt or single people out. Instead, an email goes to everyone saying something like "we're grateful that 75% of families have contributed to our campaign but and we are hoping to reach 100%. Any amount, no matter how small, will help us reach our goal...."


This is clearly the appropriate way to do this.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:25     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Anonymous wrote:Wow, do they send emails to the families that don’t contribute? It is a bit shame-y for my taste but at the same time, the average Janney family can contribute some amount (any amount is welcome) and is reaping the benefits from the PTA funded resources.

(FTR, I do contribute the suggested amount for both my kids.)


From what OP said, she doesn't contribute and got that message.

At our school, there are appeals but they don't guilt or single people out. Instead, an email goes to everyone saying something like "we're grateful that 75% of families have contributed to our campaign but and we are hoping to reach 100%. Any amount, no matter how small, will help us reach our goal...."
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:24     Subject: Re:Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Even with 145 families not donating, I'm impressed by the participation rate. I'm a Lafayette family and I don't think our participation rate gets above 50%. We only send out emails asking for donations at the beginning of school, though.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:13     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Wow, do they send emails to the families that don’t contribute? It is a bit shame-y for my taste but at the same time, the average Janney family can contribute some amount (any amount is welcome) and is reaping the benefits from the PTA funded resources.

(FTR, I do contribute the suggested amount for both my kids.)
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:09     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Obnoxious.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:08     Subject: Re:Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
Yeah, this sort of thing is annoying and inappropriate. Best response is not to engage on it at all.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:08     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
They’re crazy, OP. Tell them to go advocate for less waste.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2019 16:06     Subject: Janney PTA Guerrilla Tactics!!!
I am looking for a reality check - don't hold back. Below is the intro to an email from the Janney PTA - I think there have been two similar emails earlier in the school year. This aggressive badgering of parents started last year and I decided that I was not going to give a dime because I hate this approach and do not want to encourage it. At this point I am prepared to send an email to the PTA Presidents and the Principal (I love her) voicing my displeasure at being harassed and shamed into making what is a VOLUNTARY donation. What am I missing? Am I wrong here? Just the fact that they track families is disturbing to me!


"Hi friends!
We have just 145 families who have not yet made a tax-deductible donation to Janney’s Student Support Fund (yep- that’s you guys!). Please know that we appreciate & recognize the many contributions you all make to our school on a daily basis, but please also know that our DCPS-allocated budget is not enough to cover the basic needs of our school."