PTA/Class Reps - what do they do?

[ChippyMinton]

School is setting up a class reps scheme, and I know lots of you already have them, so any pointers about what they can/should usefully do would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

I did this once. It was a truly thankless task.
I was the head of the telephone tree, so if the school closed for any reason, I would phone the first four on the list, they would phone the next ones down etc, then the last four would phone me. Luckily it never had to be used as I mislaid my phone frequently.
I was in charge of taking suggestions and complaints to the board. Not something that this role should be used for IMO.
I also had to collect the cash for the teacher's present. Another no no.
The current class rep for my DD sends out a ridiculous number of emails inviting the class to coffee mornings and lunches. I am also on some sort of list for mah jong. I'd rather be on the Marlboro distribution list.
Avoid if possible.

[ChippyMinton]

Mah-jong ?.

Too late, I've been co-opted!

[PatriciaHolm]

Ours do the telephone tree, send reminder emails about school and PTA events, mufti days, early closing times at end of term etc. Organised end of term cards/presents where relevant, and is the link between parents and the PTA if required. Organises drinks evenings! The mah-jong is a new one though on me though

It's hardly a lot of work and none of ours seem uphappy about it (and I'm the chair of the PTA so people would moan to me if necessary!)

[Runoutofideas]

I'm class rep and it doesn't involve very much at all. Mostly it is sending on emails to the class from members of the committee - reminders of cake sales, non-uniform days etc. I can never make the PTA meetings but get sent the minutes afterwards. We had to man a Santa's grotto at the Christmas fair so it was my job to get volunteers for that, decorate it, buy presents etc, but nothing too hard. Our class will be allocated a stall at the summer fair too, which will involve similar tasks. We sometimes have to help at school discos/school trips etc but generally other parents will happily volunteer for those jobs.

All of these things become hard work if it is always the same few people doing it. The more new people you can rope in to do their bit, the better!

[ChippyMinton]

Several of the thing s you've mentioned the school does anyway - eg Parent-mail/text for closures, paper newsletters, and the older children do the school fete stalls.

Think I can manage to send out a few emails.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

I should clarify, the school was in Bangkok and maj jong was de rigeur for ladies who lunched.
I was not and still am not, a lady who lunches.
TBH, quite a lot of women (and I include non of you) want to do it to get some inside goss on the teachers.

[ChippyMinton]

Thanks for clearing that up kreecher. Was worried I was missing out on some essential yummymummy-ism!

[deepdarkwood]

At our school the reps are asked to do the following:

• organise people to man class stalls at fair (3 x year)
  
• let us know if they hear any good ideas/ complaints about the PTA - NOT the school
  

And then quite a few of them also:

• create a list of mum/dad email addresses (if you can do this via school book bag, it's often much easier)
  
• organise a termly night out
  
• turn up at an occasional PTA meeting
  

Some of them (not loads) also

• organise end of year teacher presents
  

The social/class ones are not really PTA - but it does help you when you want volunteers if you can sign people up at the pub

If you're doing it to hear teacher gossip though, I'd give up now

[Elibean]

Ours disseminate information from staff or PTA to parents, plus the PTA occasionally ask them to do something (a coffee morning, eg).

They also welcome any new families/parents.

They may choose to organize end of year presents for class teachers, and/or outings for parents.

I did it for a year, was not a big deal (and I'm both lazy and disorganized!) and nudged me to talk to parents I might otherwise not have spoken to. It was fun.