To wonder why more people don't help at PTA events ... and what would encourage more people to do so ...

[onthebus]

In common with many other schools, our PTA had its annual summer fayre a couple of weeks ago. The school has quite a small PTA (about 6 people) and every year for this event they send out a note asking for volunteers for people to help set up/run stalls/clear away. Every year about 2 people volunteer and the PTA then run themselves ragged trying to do everything (and generally failing).

I'm not on the PTA by the way, though I do offer to help, and it strikes me that this really can't be the best way for anyone.

I understand that some people don't help because they are looking after small children/are at work/think the PTA are too scary/just don't want to but I'm really surprised that so few do. I did suggest to PTA members that if they actually asked people rather than sending out a note they might get more helpers but they are loathe to do this.

So ... I think most people appreciate that funds raised by the PTA are worthwhile. If you do/don't help out at PTA events, why is that, and what do you think would encourage you/other people to do so?

Yes but pingu - you say that you don't think much of parents who "only" give 30 mins on a stall. I think that attitude has to change if you can't get people to sign up to your all or nothing stance.
more people doing smaller things may be the way forward.
Or same amount of people not doing so bloody much perhaps.

(maybe the head teacher of pingu's school is secretly siphoning off money so they can't afford paper and paint, or more than 1 football between 30 !)

DragonWoman - there isn't anything more worthwhile to me than my child's education and enjoyment of learning. Other than perhaps my child's health and happiness - which their schooling has a massive effect.

MerryMarigold - I hate having to organise the newsletters. Up until a year ago they were only done twice a year (bi annually !!!) However, we had complaints that the parents didn't know what money was being raised or what it was spent on. The parents said that if they knew that information they would be more inclinded to be part of the PTA. We (stupidly) took them at their word and produced more regular newsletters so that we gave this information out. It hasn't increased anyone coming forward to join the PTA!

Without the wet play equipment, what do you think would happen in the class room when 30 children were stuck inside for, quite possibly, days at a time due to rain? Without being able to excercise outside and run off any pent up energy having sat in the class room for an hour or two? I know that in each class there are at least a couple of children who would become very troublesome. I take it you would have a problem if your child came home with bruises after 'little johny' kicked him because he was bored - and yes that does happen.

I don't think these are extras at all. Perhaps that is why the school my children go to scored Outstanding?

Katisha

More people doing smaller things = embracing the non committed
Same amount of people doing less = reducing PTA's importance

Not sure wet play equipment will score you an outstanding (self importance stakes rising). Probably a good head and good teachers though.

At ds1's school they do have an area with a roof (provided by school) to run about in. They also have wellies and umbrellas (donated by parents/ lost property). And a dvd player!

The funds our PTA raise DO make a difference to the experience of the children. We are a very small state school, and get nothing in terms of extra fundin, like many schools. The funds raised by the PTA fund school trips, visiting groups to the school which enhance the children's learning, and perhaps make it a bit more fun! The PTA also provide money for playground refubishing, outdoor furniture, and awnings to keep the sun from invading the classrooms. Now, I feel those sort of things should be standard in schools, but the reality is that they are not, not just now in cash starved times, but for years previously, so if events such as quiz nights, cake sale, summer fairs can do it, why not? They also do contribute to a sense of community for the school, and the kids love the events. The adults don't seem to mind the odd quiz night either!

I have to go to bed. First day of hols tomorrow and it's tipping down. Now what kind of wet play equipment does the school have? I need ideas!

I'm not even sure what wet play equipment is. We used to spend wet play times flicking elastic bands at each other. :o

Parents do not join school committees because they want to 'feel important'. They do it because they want to help out, whilst the lazy non working parents lie on the sofa and watch daytime TV.

We had 28 stalls at our Summer fayre that needed to be manned for the 3 hours it was open. That is 168 1/2 hour slots to cover. However, some of the stalls needed more than 1 person at a time (facepainting and arts and crafts etc). We needed at least 175 people to come forward to purely man the stalls.

However, we also needed a team of at least a dozen people for about 2 hours to set up and 2 hours for putting away.

When you are part of the team who organise for a month before hand, and you are part of the dozen who spend 4 hours setting up and putting away, plus manning a stall for the 3 hours the fayre is open; you can become ungrateful when someone grumbles when they are asked to give 1/2 an hour of their time.

However, Katisha I completely agree that that attitude is not going to encourage people to join up. Hopefully I didn't let it show.

"Wet play equipment" sounds a bit ..... Are you sure it's for children?

Nickrobinson...lie down before you hurt yourself. Yes, us non-working parents don't join in with the PTA because we want to watch telly, and couldn't give a shit about our kids. In the same way that all PTA members are utterly altruistic, always, forever.
pingu, you're doing a great impression of someone who wants to put people off joining the PTA. Are you sure you're not the mum that blanks me?

NickRobinson - I'm not denying that my child's education is worthwhile. I just don't think it is enhanced by luxuries. As long as you have the basics, a friendly environment and parents who are interested in how you progress, your education will progress just fine.
I never had computers at school - they weren't available at the time. It hasn't stopped me from using them competently as an adult. I was sent out to play in the rain - not kept in with 'wet play equipment'. We had no sports equipment other than a few netballs. So what?

I think that sometimes a fund-raising committee (whatever the organisation) needs to step back and look at what they can realistically achieve with the number of committed volunteers they have.
It can be very hard, looking back over successful past events, and having to say - we just don't have the number of parents who are available to help out to run event x or y this year. It can feel like you are a failure and that you are letting down those who depend on you. Perhaps reducing the annual fund-raising target from £5K to £2K (or whatever).

I don't think there is any shame in sending out a message to the parents (even holding a bit of a crisis meeting - if anyone would turn up) saying that because you only have 10 regular volunteers, you are unlikely to be able to run the summer fete this year - with the consequence that funds will be reduced and the school will not be able to purchase x,y or z. Give them one last chance to step up.

If nobody does volunteer, then run smaller, less manpower intensive events. Lower your expectations as to what you can reasonably raise - but have more fun doing it. Don't keep flogging a dead horse if your efforts aren't appreciated by the other parents.

lol,make sure crisis meeting after 7pm so us workers have adequate notice
unlike housewife i cant respond to every so called biscuit stall crisis
you see in rl it doesn't matter a great deal

Which is fine - and if all the parents at the school feel the same way, then the PTA closes and everyone can redirect their energy to the things that do matter.

BTW - I'm not suggesting the PTA does the above on a regular basis - just as a one off. Ask the parents, do you want this or not? We can't make you help, but these are the consequences to the school so you can make an informed choice.

Piprabbit - I think you are right. That is exactly what we will have to do if we don't get enough helpers. It it very hard to accept that but it is what we will have to do.

Out meetings are at 8pm so hopefully more families will have both parents at home so one can stay in and look after the children and the other can attend the meeting.

NickRobinson, it is offensive for you to say that parents who are not active within the PTA are not interested in their children's education. As for your comment that non working parents are lazy and spend all day watching telly, it might just be that they are giving you a wide berth!

Not everyone is a 'joiner', who loves to organise events. If you are, then great, knock yourself out. some people prefer to quietly support by attending events and contributing to non uniform days etc.

I am a SAHM, and I don't think that being one makes me obligated to join the PTA. I'm a SAHM, so I can look after my children. It doesn't mean that other people get to say how I should be spending my time or try to guilt trip me into doing what they feel is important. My husband works long, often unpredictable hours, which makes it hard to commit to evening meetings. When he does get home, I'd sooner spend my time with him, than be in the pub with the PTA. We do things as a family at the weekends.

Even if non working parents are watching telly all day, that's entirely their business and not for you to be telling them to do otherwise. Of course, it might be that they are looking after their children, or have other commitments that they don't feel the need to share with you!

That's not to say I don't think our PTA does some valuable things - it does. But contributing financially is still contributing and that's good enough imo.

pingu - I am just wondering how much of the money your school's PTA raises comes out of the pockets of the parents at the school?

At my school its nearly 100%, Whether I am on the PTA or not, the amount I have to give really mounts up and I would rather just write a cheque than provide the contributions and then buy them back at the fairs for less than they cost me to donate.

Whichever way you look at it though, its unfair to say that the pTA provide funds for the school when mostly the parents provide the funds and the PTA are the conduit. (And i was on the PTA so I do know how hard the work can be.)

I am just wondering if there is maybe a better way to raise money?

YANBU

(Hand up) I do, I do! Have helped with our primary school, although not on the official list, (never had my name on newsletter).

And now....at the secondary school, I am an official refreshments committee member!

My name is definitely on the letter, and I really enjoy giving the school back something as they are doing a really great job educating my DS. It is sad to know that some parents won't lend a hand, they are reaping the benefits of the events.
Not sure what would make people do something. We had to attend a special evening for new parents and at this we were told that we were all members of the PA. Each committee did a speech about what event they did and at the end we had to sign up to at least one. It worked with me because when I say I will do something I do it. But saying that I don't know where all these parents that signed up for things went?

I see it as hobby/charity work.

I can't believe there are so many people who don't want to be involved in their children's education.

Not being involved on the PTA doesn't mean that you are not involved in your child's education. How ridiculous.

The PTA pays for all the things that bring learning to life

Really? They pay for the teachers then? Also, I think you mean "The PTA raises money for all the things that bring learning to life". Its the people who put the money in who actually pay for it.

Posts like those do nothing to allay the feeling that some PTAs are full of pompous martyrs with an overdeveloped sense of self importance.

The reality is that most families are juggling a lot of commitments which mean that they don't have time to commit to being "Full" members of the PTA, but perhaps would be happy to give their time and energies on a smaller scale. If they're made to feel at point of contact that what they are able to give isn't good enough or isn't welcome then no wonder they are put off.

Perhaps a little common sense should prevail. Look to encouraging people to give the small amounts that they can and let it build up once they get involved. That's so much better than an all or nothing approach.

God PTA's sound fun - where do I join?

Serioulsy though - I won't be able to because I work full time. That won't make me less interested in my DCs education or mean I contribute less to the school/

The PTA raises thousands a year - over £10k each year. Wow. I pay that in tax about every six weeks so I am not going to feel too guilty about "not contributing". No doubt I will bung you a big plate of cakes too when my time comes.

The reason all this happens is because of about a dozen people who work really really hard all year, not just at Christmas or Summer. - Yes I do that too - its called a career.

TBH the list of events that pingu listed and took a dozen people to organsise over a year I could put together on my own in a day. I am sure you all enjoy it and put a lot of effort in and I am sure its a lovely thing to be involved in but don't slag of people for not joining in something which in most cases appears only to be open to those who work part time or not at all. Maybe if some of these PTAs reduced the commitment required from volunteers or held meetings in the evenings they would get more assistance?

Salopian village??

Our PTA gets choice of seats to the nativities. That's because we set he fucker up, serve tea and biscuits in the intervals and clear away afterwards.