PTA Meetings in the Pub? Really?

[AwkwardMary]

It seems inappropriate to me...our PTA is trying to recruite more members as it's traditionally seen as a bit cliquey so their idea of trying to make more parents join is to call an evening meeting in a particularly hard to get to pub in the evening.

I dont mind going to PTA meetings maybe half an hour before school picck up..but I dont want to go to some out of the way pub an hour befoe the DCs bedtime.

Is it me or is this a silly idea? The clique who oranised it happen to use this pub as their base for socialising...it feels like they've thought..."HOw can we get more parents invoved and not think we're cliquey?" and then come up with the idea of inviting us into their inner sanctum.

AIBU to say "Can't you do a meeting in school hours or just after?"

I think if it is a one off rather than a regular venue then YABU. Lots of parents can't do school hours or just after, but might want to get involved. So imo its worth a try.

Heloooo? Anyone?

you can't please everyone - an after school meeting would be impossible for many working parents (like me!) where as evenings are free'er (if that is even a word)

I'd need a drink to get through a PTA meeting

Really how can they please people? If they hold the meetings after school then working parents can't come. If they hold it in the evening you're moaning about it. I'd give up if I were them.

You can just drink lemonade or coffee though
I think you are being a bit awkward Mary

Sounds like a fab idea :)

But surely WOHPs would find it far easier to make an evening meeting?

Sounds fine to me. Less dull than sitting in a classroom.

oh and yes what Gumby said!

I think its a genius idea and would be far more likely to go. If you hold them in school time then only SAHM without any younger children could go to them, which seems a highly restricted pool. In the pub in the evening, you might even get working mothers or dads!

We used to have PTA meetings in the pub.

If they hold meetings during school hours or just after, how do working parents get the chance to join?

We had one last week in a pub (DS's secondary) and my DD's primary school meetings are in the pub too. Means working parents can attend too. Makes good sense and we get a good turnout.

We meet in the pub- can't see the problem.

BUt how can those who don't have a babysitter go? Or me who works in the evening?

I'm amazed that any school doesn't have PTA meetings in the evenings. It must seriously restrict the number of people able to join if they are only during the day.

Well, you can't please everyone. surely there are more people at work during the day than at night?

Well they want the most people they can possibly get to attend and most people work in the day

More parents can't make daytime meetings than evening ones.

I think it would be impossible to organize a time they suited every permutation of peoples circumstances. They should have a mix of meetings in the day and evening.

You have to cater to the majority when organising meetings. And as already pointed out, evenings are more likely to be better attended than daytimes.

I think it's a wonderful idea, and therefore YABU!

Perhaps they will get the newbies legless at pub nd photograph them in compromising positions then threaten them with posting mitigating photos on facebook unless newbie pays £500 hush money for photos to disappear.

Instant few grand for school. No further action, pta or otherwise, needed.

Ours have nearly always been held in a pub meeting room and in the evening as most of the regular members work at least part time if not full time.

BUt how can those who don't have a babysitter go? Or me who works in the evening?

You can't

They can't choose a time to suit everyone but they obviously think this time of the evening is best for the majority.

For example, it would be best for me as my DH would be home to look after the kids.

They do need people to attend regularly though to organise stuff. I think it is fine to try day time and evenings and plump for whatever gets the biggest turnout.

And I agree, being able to have a drink at a pta meeting is much better than a cup of tea.