to be really cross that NO ONE can be arsed to help at PTA fayre

[nicefleece]

I have volunteered to help out at the PTA Christmas Fayre. A note was sent out last week in all 410 book bags, asking for any volunteers to help set up / man the stalls.

3 people replied, one of them is the chair of the PTA

What the feck? Shall I ask the heads to mention it? Why are people so sodding selfish! I know people work, have other kids etc etc but really....

What next? Megaphone of shame in the playground? Sooooo cross and disappointed!

Rubys - you invited people to come half an hour before school pick up time? Oh marvellous - I bet the working parents loved that

Totally understand that everyone has commitments - guess what! Me too!

Amazed that only 3 people responded out of 410 kids! It's only an hour or two!

yes an hour or two that some cannot spare

why do you think people want to give up an hour or two?

I agree nicefleece, it's pretty pathetic! Our Christmas fair has a Santa and the children of the volunteers get to see him first, to avoid having to queue later on - would that be a draw do you think, to encourage more parents to get involved?

fair midden, it's their own time their doing fuck all in. pta doesnt pay, parents dont owe their time to it. get a grip.

Some cannot spare any time - fair enough - but EVERYONE?

Maybe the PTA smell... I'm new to it and no-one has told me.

In defence of all those who haven't volunteered; what your they supposed to do with younger siblings while they are manning the stall? Looking after 2 pre-schoolers, and a school age child and manning a stall is not easy when they school hall is jam packed.

If you ask people individually, they are often flattered, though, to be invited into "the inner circle" that is the PTA, adn go out of their way to be able to help. On the other hand they may tell you to bog off.

If you leave your house at 7.30 a.m. and get back after 6p.m. then you very likely don't have any spare time to give. Plenty of parents working hours like that.

Of course people don't owe time to anything. It's just generous to give it if you can spare it. And if everyone gave a little then it would be less pressure on those who run things. And if nobody gave any time then loads of things wouldn't happen. I guess I'm not being specific to the PTA though - in general here people can't be bothered to help with anything, and all sorts of extra-curricular stuff that kids could benefit loads from doesn't happen as a result.

yes IF you can spare it. and if you cant you shouldnt be told to be ashamed of yourself.

such as?

not everyone nicefleece, only 407

key phrase being "if you can spare it".automatically assuming that all parents can just jolly well scrub up and muck in,is misplaced

and participation doesn't give one a bigger halo either

Nicefleece, I think what is unreasonable is the underlying presumption that people should help out at a PTA event just because their kids go to the school.

Why don't you volunteer at your local needle exchange? Why can't you find a few hours to help there? Why are you so selfish that you can't provide some support to people in the grip of a substance misuse problem? The organisation will provide free training and we all have a responsibility to social problems.

I could say the same for a hundred other local volunteering roles. Volunteering for a PTA fayre is hardly something you can go around getting on your high horse over. It isn't going to matter much if the kids don't get a disco. It is utter trivia in the grand scheme of things.

nicefleece you need a rota and to badger people (by email may work well) until it is filled. notes in book bags are hopeless.

work out who will help and start with them. chair of pta will be good for suggestions.

What extraordinary hostility displayed towards school PTAs on this thread. And to the op too - "suck it up", "get a grip", "I couldn't give a flying fuck". Would you listen to yourselves.

Nicefleece - yes that is very disappointing. You will find that only a tiny minority of parents want to be involved. And then you'll be accused of being a clique!

This is depressing the hell out of me. Back in my grim single parent working full time days I did fuck all for the PTA - fair enough. Now I have time on my hands and I do a lot for the PTA - mostly I enjoy it, I've chosen to do it, I realise other people have chosen not to - again, fair enough.

But what I hadn't realised is quite the level of complete apathy people have towards the PTA. And no, your child's likelihood of Oxbridge entrance isn't going to change if they get a trip to the panto or a disco or new climbing frame, but they're going to have a bit more of a laugh along their way to the gleaming spires. And better quality library books, better PE equipment, a sense of community.

I'm not saying you have to do PTA stall-manning bollocks, just don't dismiss it all as meaningless and unnecessary. Value it, because you would miss it if it wasn't there.

nicefleece - agree that bookbags are useless. People just don't read the stuff. The personal/playground approach is more painful but more effective.

I think the whole point is "how come nobody can spare any time?"

Things like sports clubs, trips, clubs, Guides/Scouts etc wouldn't run if people didn't give their time. I might quite like to spend a couple of hours semi-conscious on the sofa after DS has gone to bed, but I don't die if I give up one of those precious hours to put stamps on envelopes or make a few phonecalls.

My point rubys is not who managed to come but what message your choice of time sent out to parents who work. 2.30 says to me 'come along all those who sahm or sahd, come hither those who work part time or can knock off early and clear off all those of you who work 'ordinary' hours!' If you really wanted to include everybody then try 6-6.30 or Saturday mornings.

Cripes MillyR!
Just saying I was disappointed that no-one wants to help - PTA is just one thing, I do volunteer for other stuff too!

assumption parents "cant be arsed" is erroneous and irksome.the holier than thou i give, give,give and others "cant be arsed" is sanctimonious