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?

Actually pfft, what is offensive is the constant digs from the PTA regarding how hard they work for all of the children, when most of the parents don't contribute.

And as I said, I would actively help if it weren't for the unwelcoming attitude of it's members. However I do contribute financially in the form of donations to events and the buying of useless crap from said events.

The amount of times I have listened to the PTA members bad mouth other parents, saying that we are happy to take advantage of their hard work for our own children but yet can't be bothered to contribute beggars belief, so if it take pointing out that I, and my fellow working mothers contribute by paying tax then so be it!

Well yes, flatstomach, and I would imagine that the best way to redress that unfairness is to make offensive general comments on a website about how SAHMs don't contribute as much as WOHMs.

Well I am the type to volunteer and I have done two years running.

I totally now realise why people don't volunteer. You get treated like crap by the bitchy clique.

I will be running a mile next year.

I'm with the consensus about cliques
The lead of the PTA is a woman who has caused so much bad feeling in the school amongst other parents that I suspect the head has a special file for complaints about her. (She called an 8 yr old a bitch in the playground.... because her 8 yr old had fallen out with her - how the school see fit to let her be in school with the children is beyond me)
Her DH is a governor and she 'runs' the PTA. She really is the most dreaded mother going and the main reason people do not join.

I help at the summer fair but avoid everything else.

Pfft, please read again, I don't have problem with sahm's I have a problem with the PTA mums who happen to be sahm's because they somehow have the idea that they care about their childrens education more than those who don't or can't help with school fundraising efforts.

Actually, you sound sanctimonious enough to be the chair of my dc's school PTA.

If the PTA is a bitchy clique - can you not stage a coup? I bloody would?

Catgirl you could try, but they usually have some mutually sycophantic relationship with the head which means your efforts will result in your child being given the part of the donkey's arse in all their future nativity plays.

I never assist with any of the PTA activities at my DS's school, quite simply because everything takes place during normal working hours and I am working then! Cake sales, school fair, meetings, all during office hours. I don't want to give up my annual leave that I could spend with DS to do this.

hmmmmmmm tricksy. am almost looking forward to seeing all these politics when my DC goes to school.

all mtgs etc in work time and poor notice
only the housewives can attend
minimal discussion or allowance for working parents

I'm on the PTA. Being on it requires a lot of work. There is always something to organise or help run. People think they are doing enough or their bit by helping out for half an hour on a stall at the Christmas and Summer fayres or by bringing in a bottle of something or a packet of sweets. However, it is soooooo much more.

We have requested that FULL PTA members get 2 rows at the front of the Christmas Nativity or the Juniors' plays allocated purely to them as a 'thank you' for their hard work. That each FULL PTA member gets given 2 seats in the front 2 rows.

In our school these seats are like gold dust and likely to get a lot more help.

• School Quiz (Feb)
• Stall at parents evening promoting the PTA (March)
• Infants and Junior Easter discos (March/April)
• Easter Egg hunt for nursery and reception (April)
• Summer Fayre (June)
• Running tea/coffee/biscuit stall at infants and juniors sports days (July)
• Welcome coffee morning for new parents starting in Sept (July)
• Stall at large local sports event (Sept)
• Organising production of Christmas cards and/or T-towels (Sept)
• Stall at parents evening promoting the PTA (Nov)
• Christmas Fayre (Dec)
• Monthly newsletter produced
• Bi monthly meetings

These are just the things I can remember, there is a hell of a lot more than this!!!

see pingu that endorses the self serving i associate with pta

That is really AWFUL if true about the front rows at nativity and so on. Hideous!

Surely loads of people think they pay tax and already contribute to the running of public services, including schools?

No guilt required for not participating is there?

I used to be on the PTA but never again. Its cliquey and the meetings are achingly boring while everyone listens to two people who like the sound of their own voices. Then suddenly you can cut the air with a knife because a newcomer has suggested a never-tried-before stand at the next fair.

Then at the end of it all, the money raised never seemed to get spent.

I'm changing schools this summer and I will glad help out with listening to reading/ helping out with classroom activities etc but I am going to carefully steer clear of the PTA.

"so if it take pointing out that I, and my fellow working mothers contribute by paying tax then so be it!"

Good grief I thought you were joking pingu when I first read that

That sums up all my prejudices about PTA tbh.

It is a shame, I am sure that 90% of PTA members are perfectly nice and hard working women, however you seem to recruit as your PTA PR the most officious and small-minded women ever.

And I agree with the postrer who suggested that anyone who spells fair as 'fayre' doesn't deserve any support at all

lol,once at xmas play took time off.sat front row as arrived super early. alphamum tapped me and said
thats so and so seat
really,are they allocated
no...
so how come...?
well shes helped organise this and...
i shrugged nonplussed .i didint move

Oh dear! Our PTA members would be more likely to be at the back during the nativity helping someone settle a baby or helping an elderly family member get seated comfortably or drinking serving the wine!

You are either a committee person or you are not. For me, I would probably start barking loudly or else whimpering quietly, maybe both, at PTA meetings.

And I agree entirely on "fayre".

pta is activity for housewives
the rest of us have jobs etc,stuff that cant be dropped to accommodate pta

About 50% of our PTA work here - not all full time I grant you. It is not an officious PTA though and usually a good laugh.