To ask how you encourage people to help at school events?

[JohnCusacksWife]

Just that really....we have a school roll of just under 250 but can only ever muster the same 10 or so helpers for fundraising events. How do we engage and enthuse other parents to help, even for an hour or two? We've tried everything we can think of but to no avail. At this rate our fundraising will diminish which means no food/gifts at Christmas parties, no leavers do, no IT purchases or major sports kit for the school. All advice is much appreciated!

Just making a point. I couldn't give up my job to Kiss the teachers arse.
And even if I or who ever else does/did just could not be bothered helping out. How is that the fault of the child. That's all I meant. I post my comments because I mean them. I don't arse kiss online or in RL. And u offer no apologies about my feelings.
It is not fair that a child who's parents help out are given preferential treatment. Whilst those who don't are over looked.
Oh yes no argument it's good of the parents to help out, but it doesn't make those who, can't won't don't not their children the devil

My children, four, attended five schools between them. I have always volunteered/helped in school but one school put me right off so I stopped being involved.

What was the problem? Well it was really cliquey, the favoured few, martyrs one and all, would barely acknowledge newcomers. When my DS first started there me and another mum volunteered to help at an event, well we were ignored and at the end sent on our way as they would "finish off". Coming back from the shops later we saw the HT and his clique having a BBQ in the school grounds, seemed like a very fun event but only the "regulars" invited. Neither of us volunteered again, didn't expect any reward but if something is being done as a thank you on school premises we felt all helpers should be invited. Someone who lived next to the school said the behaviour as the evening wore on wasn't great as alot of alcohol was involved, as I don't drink it wouldn't have been my sort of thing but it was the way it was done.

Funnily enough the children of these people, including the HT, always got the starring roles in plays, won awards etc.

It is still my nearest school but I volunteer at one further away.

OP I suppose what I am saying is it isn't always that people don't want to help but sometimes something is actively putting them off. I hope that isn't the reason with your school but just thought I would mention it.

I not u

Just remembered when my last child was at school I had really had enough of sponsored this that and the other so instead of hassling family, friends and colleagues I started making up names, changing pens and disgusing handwriting and just putting the money in. I must have been mad but the kids got a bit of hassle about not making enough effort. I mean how can a five year old go out and get people to sign up? So I just let him think lots of people I knew at work had contributed, happy child, no hassle, just a lying mother.

I did help a lot nearly every year, but didn't get a proper thank you and there were cliques and some volunteers from those cliques were bossing around which I didn't like.

I've volunteered in various capacities at school since 2007, and I loathe being thanked for it, especially by other volunteers. It feels kind of icky and patronising to be thanked beyond the point where I'd offered to be part of a team. Is that just me?

First ten volunteer helpers to sign up get reserved front row seats to next school performance?

That wouldn't work at our school, the front seats are taken by the extended families of the parent governors and chair of PA.

newstatesmen I made that comment and i'm not sure how it can be that difficult to think that some events are for fundraising, some are more for social, some are more a combination of both. If you've had that conversation well....fair enough....but I bet the people on this thread that would prefer to give a cash donation, don't do it.

Not all PTA folk are the same. Maybe some might say people are selfish if they don't help, but I know I don't and I'm sure I'm not alone (if you read my comments and the context they were in before just taking a part and using it to put in a fictious conversation that makes PTA people look completely unreasonable and fatuous). Help in any guise is gratefully received...whether it be donations, time, attending events or whatever. If it's not your thing, you don't have the time, whatever....fair enough.

pink I will give cash via direct debit but I want not to be bugged for money for school fete/non uniform days etc. I don't want to set up a dd and still get hassled to do stuff.

fauxlivia unless everyone did the direct debit system it would be quite tricky for those giving out the newsletters to know who they could give one too and who they couldn't, unless everything was by email (not all parents in our school sign up to have email letters) or unless everything was in a named letter (increasing administrative costs....spending hard earned parents money on envelopes and time every year updating the database). If you paid the direct debit could you not just ignore the requests safe in the knowledge you had done your bit?

I would still have to do them because dd would want me too - hard to ignore them if they exist, but I suspect a majority of parents would like for there to be far fewer events scheduled, in exchange for the direct debit. If there was no summer fete for example, then I wouldn't have to go to it.

I sound a right misery and tbh I do help out at school I just dislike the whole faff of themed dress up days etc.

I have to say some of the schools discussed on this thread sound Downright disfunctional. The idea that PC/PTA members get a round of applause at the school show or preferential reserved seating at things is v odd!