to think that members of the PTA fundraising committee should really go to a fundraising event?

[CandleQueen]

Every one of the parents say how wonderful our little playgroup is, and it has a lot of word of mouth recommendations. But these parents don't seem to realise a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes.

We've just had a fundraising home shopping party, where X% of the takings is being donated to the Fundraising committee.

AIBU in expecting more than one member of the committee to bother showing up? 3 parents came (each bought 1 guest).
It leaves one wondering if there is any point to trying to help at all.
I know money is tight, but playgroup still has to buy equipment and supplies too. They will all expect a discounted daytrip in the summer, but without fundraising there will not be a trip.

(And for the record I was donating MY WAGES from this evenings party)

ah, tell me about it!

On our school's fundraising committee, we have...

two of us.

We have put out a desperate plea for at least one more member or else we'll have to close which will be a pity.

Tis getting embarrassing tbh...

It's a terrible business model; preschool education should not be run by volunteer amateurs. The committee members probably feel as disillusioned as you do. It's a lose-lose situation for everybody.

I wish I could tell you that it's not always like this, but in my experience, it's always the same small group of people who do the vast majority of the work - this seems to continue through primary school and on to senior school/scouts/guides etc.

I've always been one of the people who volunteers to be on committees, do jobs like secretary or treasurer, man stalls at the Christmas bazaar, make fudge etc etc, and I have often felt taken for granted.

One year, a friend and I hand made over 80 christmas decorations, made of beads (all donated by my friend) and wire, which we made into hearts and stars. Each one was different in some way from the others, and each took up to 45 minutes to make, and we spent every evening doing it.

We priced the decorations ourselves, ranging from £1 to £2.50 - the most expensive ones which each had a Swarovski crystal on them. On the day of the bazaar, only about 10 sold, because people expected to come to the bazaar and pay no more than 50p for anything - and this is not in a deprived area either. We got back the bulk of our decorations and felt like all our hard work had been wasted.

I've been to a number of home shopping evenings and end up spending more than I can afford on something I don't really want. I avoid them now for that reason. Was it actually organised by the committee?

What really peeves me is that they couldn't even be bothered to make an excuse. It was just "Oh, I'll see" or "I'll try and make it" when one of the other mums (who did come tonight) said they had no intention of coming anyway.

TFM - The committee ASKED me to do it.
I normally don't do this kind of thing because the organisation I work for doesn't have a "charity" scheme, so I'm doing it and donating my wages.

stayingsunny, that story is rather sad isn't it.

I would happily pay up to £2.50 for a handmade Christmas decoration (and in fact I have) - esp if it is for the PTA.

I always think we price things (cakes eg) too cheap but maybe I'm wrong

i never bother making cakes for school/playgroup sales anymore. The cost of making a nice cake or batch of biscuits just outweighs the price they are sold for. Breaks my heart to see my stunning carrot cake sold for £1. It cost me more than tha in sugar and eggs!

I got very annoyed with our lovely nursery which was selling very nice cakes (made by me and others) for 5p each .

The batch I made (choc easter nests) cost more than £2 to make and brought in about 90p. The woman on the stall said, well, this way they are sure to sell! You betcha!

I said I would just give them the money next time

We sold cakes too dear at our Christmas do at school too - some just vanished at 25p each. Price them at 40p then you can always reduce after an hour - if there are any left!

Sorry, that should be "sold cakes too cheap" gaaah