PTA - Attracting new members?

[GettinTrimmer]

I have just become involved with my dc's school PTA, I am in a 'sub-committee' to work out how to attract new members/new fundraising ideas.

does anyone have any ideas? I've seen PTA members described as 'bossy Monicas' on MN before so the idea of PTAs can put some people off I suppose!

iNVITE everyone to attend with the promise taht they dont have to join, just be involved.

Make it Parents Teachers and Friends so that people dont feel they HAVE to do something.

Once they come along, as long as there are no Prima Donnas, then people will happily be involved.

People dont like to commit to anything, but will happily say they can do something as long as they dont always have to do it.

When you have specifics jobs to do, assign small tasks to different people, but make sure there is a main co-ordinator to pull it all together tomake sure its happening.

Make sure it stays friendly and fun.

Make sure when you have meetings that it is short, prompt and stays on topic. Meetings that go on for hours are boring

A few years ago we had a massive influx of new members when we advertised that we would have meetings in a local pub. We had one meeting with a curry night, another time as a pudding night. Basically booze and food!! Worked wonders, took 3 times as long to get decisions though after a few .

Keep it light and social and I also felt it was good to actually ask specific people, who were perhaps a little less confident and would not want to put themselves forward, but loved being included.

No, BeerTricksPotter, that's exactly where you do put the tricky ones on the agenda. Get others in a mellow mood, you stay sober, then everyone will agree with you and you can celebrate big time once you have got your way!!

Thanks all, some great ideas

Did you get a good response to the newsletter Beertricks? Our PTA are working on one now.

I like the idea of pub meetings!

A social aspect is nice. I think people volunteer because they want to meet other people.

I volunteered recently to get a small slip of paper in book bag saying "you are on x stall". I turned up - there was no explanation of what I was meant to do, nobody spoke to me (apart from 6 yr old punters) for the whole 2 hours I was on the stall. At the end someone very sullen came and took the money without uttering more than two words whilst she did so.

I'm not expecting thanks, but it might have been nice for a bit more human involvement. Needless to say, I met no other mums that night.

I'm glad it's not just me!