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!

lol at DP.

Not a bossy Monica, I hope. And you're not selfish buggers. Just surprised really..

Anyone fancy doing the crack a safe stall?

You know, I do a lot of work helping with Christmas stuff, in class, summer fairs and what not. I've come to a couple of conclusions:
1)I do it because I enjoy it. If I get all martyrish about it and fret as to why no-one is helping then that only spoils it for me.
2)Because of number 1 - only take on what I can manage (not always great at that, trying to learn) If I can't manage to fit it in and it doesnt get done, then well its just tough - it's not done.
3)I don't actually give a rats arse what people think about me or my efforts. If they judge me to my face they get roped in with me to help!

Nicefleece, why are you surprised? Is this the first year this has happened? Do you usually get a lot of people wanting to do PTA stuff?

Its first year I have done PTA - with other voluntary stuff, I haven't seen how many people see request for help and can't do it I guess..

I would want to know:

• specific roles that I could chose from
• time expectation for day
• any alternative ways of helping

I would also need plenty of notice as we often have things on at a weekend. 2 or 3 weeks notice would be no use to me.

But I do have other committments at times, and we are pretty busy at weekends generally. I support school in other ways.

is this your child's first year at the school nicefleece?

Bloody hell, what a depressing thread.
Might explain some of the struggle our school is having getting people involved though (shuffles off wondering if I am really seen as a pushy, cliquey, brown-nosing loon)

He's in reception - whyzat?

how do I make time then moondog?

I work 3 jobs - 50+ hours a week. I have 2 kids at 2 different schools and 2 school runs. I am also a carer for my DH who isn't well enough to work or man a stall although he does the pick ups when I am unable to. His illness is the reason I have to work 3 jobs. I spend up to an hour on internet once kids are in bed after 9pm. I work 3 Saturdays a month. I have no time for me never mind PTA.

I try to arrange time off if I'm told well in advance about school events/concerts etc. It is a struggle to make it to teacher interview as they often don't give the necessary one month notice. Prior to DH's illness I worked part-time and helped at events when I could. I wish that was an option now but it isn't.

Try walking in someone else's shoes without making grand statements about how easy it is to make time.

PMSL at posts where people say they haven't got the time to help out a bit, every so often.
Nothing wrong with not wanting to do it, but don't get arsey about pta people and suggest that lack of time is a reason!

If you have time to take your child somewhere nice on a Saturday then you have time to take them to a school fair and help out a bit while you're there.
And in the time it's taken to read and post on this thread, you could have written names on a massive great bag of raffle tickets or wrapped a dozen presents for the secret santa.

I do think 3 out of 410 is not good.

Surely not all 407 parents will actually be at work on the day at that precise time. No definately not they are either frightened, lazy or perhaps genuinly can't do it due to other reasons.

At least if they turn up and spend some cash they are contributing.

Agree with others, you need to ask all the parents you know personally specifying exact times and roles.
I used to run the pta(with 3 children) and quite often after speaking to parents their real fears would come out. Sometimes it was as simple as them being afraid that they would have to do the "cashing-up" after the event that put them off.
Send out another letter too.

you seem to have a lot of enthusiasm for it. IME that tends to dwindle after a few terms.

if event is a weekday,then no no for me

Fast dwindling now.

I don't have a school-aged child yet, but if I go back to my old career (which I loved, so most likely) when ds older, I guess I'll be seen as uncaring, uninvolved and generally can't-be-arsed-y too.

Never mind the fact that in a lot of jobs, hours really are inflexible. I always left the house at 8am at the latest, and never came home before seven. Paid silly money to see a private gp at times because it was 5 mins walk from the office - going home unless it was life-or-death would have been seriously frowned upon. Oh, and I had lunch about once a week, worked through lunch most days.

So... Before you judge others, make sure you know exactly what they go through. More often than not, it's not laziness.

I like Hulababy's suggestions. Give people options in case they would like to offer something but time not available - be it because of work, family or choice.

see

not very nice to belittle OP by suggesting that just because she's new to the school means she's in some way OTT about her views on the pta. I've been involved in pta for years now and, yes, you get a bit more cynical as times goes on (and you see how few people give a shit about what happens at school other than how their little darlings are getting on) but without funds, the schools often wouldn't have nearly as many books, facilities, and that's why a lot of us do it - not to look pious, or kiss arses or question other people's daily lives.

nicefleece - apathy not surprising. but remember that MANY of the parents who do nothing towards the organiisng are the ones who will turn up and spend £20 a family easily on the night.

in our school of 350 kids/250 families there are 10 regulars on the PTA, including 3 staff, we have about an event a month and raised £10K last year - ALL the children benefit from the "extras" we buy ( from books to PE stuff to interactive white boards in every classroom), it is fun, and most people do come to at least one event over the year, fostering community spirit etc

surely the ones who wont man a stall would sell raffle tickets, donate a prize, make a cake for the cake stall or wrap some gifts for santas grotto etc?

We have several "helpers" who cannot make meetings or do main organising but turn up on the day and make cups of tea or sweep floors. we could not manage without them. And moaning will only put people off helping you I am afraid. Ask for specific, little jobs to be done and you might get more helpers come forward - people are afraid of commiting and getting lumbered with more than they can manage

good post.Pown.cant commit time but specifically would bake for example.

Oh deary me, MN at its finest again...

Being practical, I've found its easier to ask volunteers to commit to smaller time increments.

So the Santa Tombola has 4 people doing 30 minute stints so they can help out (and spend money)

And you have to ASK them
Flyers are pretty useless

(Have been secretary for 2 years committee member for 3)

actually a good a ole rummage in someone else harrumphing is always fun.had no idea pta halo polishers felt so strongly about us lazy bastard working parents

My current theory is that if these events are not working properly due to lack of volunteers and the usual regulars feeling put upon, then maybe a new fundraising model needs to be found.

Personally I would prefer to hand over a set amount at the beginning of the year rather than the constant drip of letters asking for money/donations/time every other week. And I could really do without mufti days.

Maybe the old PTA model doesn't work any more?

And while I'm here, a parent at our school organised the Christmas concert every year for several years. That person has now moved on and no-one else has come forward, unsurprisingly as not many people have the musical know-how and time. So it's not happening. Now surely it's staff who put on Christmas Concerts in a school, not parents?

i did in no way belittle her. i said she seemed enthusiastic and that ime that dwindled after a few terms. read the post correctly.

it is also not very nice to be called selfish because i have commitments other than the PTA.