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Original poster

Would you join the PTA??????

56 replies

sweetheart · 28/09/2004 12:57

My dd started school a few weeks ago and the PTA are desperatly looking for new members.

I work full time as well as go to college and try to spend as much time with my dd as possible. It though that getting invovled in something like the PTA would help me feel less guilty about the time I spend apart from my dd and that she would be happy to see me getting involved with her school.

On the other hand, I don't want to take more time away from her by being busy organising events etc.

So back to my question, would you join the PTA???

OP posts:
suedonim · 28/09/2004 14:35

Yes, and indeed I have been on a PTA! The fact the committee meetings took place in the local pub had nothing to do with my decision, of course.

My boys were at quite a large school and it was a good way to get to know people and get the inside gossip. I think the main thing to remember is that once you've joined, it's still okay to say no if you feel too much is being pushed onto you. Also, tasks can often be broken down into smaller units so no one needs take on a massive burden. Keeping it simple is best, ime. Good luck!

mears · 28/09/2004 14:37

That's exactly right JJ. Don't say yes to everything because that is where I went wrong sweetheart. The school does need helpers. The more the merrier - sorry for my negativity.

They would welcome you with open arms as treasurer I am sure - that was my first job!

fio2 · 28/09/2004 14:37

no dont do it, my friend joined and she got forced into being the treasurer and she has to organise everything

iota · 28/09/2004 14:39

fio - your friend needs to learn to say no - I don't overcommit myself as my dh is often not around, so I won't commit to anything where I might have to let people down.

SueW · 28/09/2004 14:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

codswallop · 28/09/2004 14:40

yes but my point is that poeple do have to help out
theya re all too happy to sit around moaning that nothing is done and rely on poeple to do their share for t hem

Original poster
sweetheart · 28/09/2004 14:44

Thanks so much for all your advice. I'm definatly going to go along to the meeting and I'll wait and see what each job entails before I agree to anything.

I do have alot of "spare" time at work which could be used with typing letters or photocopying as suggested so I'm sure I can help in my own little way. (only if it doesn't interfere with my MN time of course)

I have drawn great inspiration from this thread so thank you so much to all of you for contributing - and I will remember to say a firm but fair NO if things get too much

OP posts:
bundle · 28/09/2004 14:47

if you do get a title at least you can limit what you do, but if your role is vague you may get saddled with lots. we try to share our stuff out fairly

Original poster
sweetheart · 28/09/2004 14:49

I hadn't thought of it like that bundle - thanks, thats a great help

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Clayhead · 28/09/2004 14:50

I did. Same argument as below really, I am happy for dd to use the stuff the PTA buy so I should help fund raise too. dh works shifts so it's tricky but I help as much as I can.

lars · 28/09/2004 14:52

Well my answer is be firm what you can and can't do. I've decided not to get involved this year as I found the school not that good and not sure they really wanted a PTA. Well my friend and I did the santa grotto and got all the presents and run a stall- no thanks not again -no help from the school- thanks but no thanks too much blood hard work !!!

Kayleigh · 28/09/2004 14:54

not sure how your PTA runs sweetheart, but all will become clearer at the meeting.

Our committee has the named posts, chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer then between 4 and 8 commitee members who should attend the monthly(ish) meetings and all the work gets shared evenly among the whole committee. On top of that we have helpers, these are people who don't want to attend meetings but don't mind helping out at events.

FWIW if you are an actual commitee member it gives a really good insight into the running of the school.

SoupDragon · 28/09/2004 15:58

I won't join the PTA at DS1s school for personal reasons but I do paint them banners and have done their summer fair programme & posters.

jampot · 28/09/2004 16:10

I chaired our school PTA for 3 years and sat as a Trustee for a further 2 years. We had very few members and a handful of helpers besides but still managed to raise about £7k a year. Our school is very diverse in as much as there are parents with lots of money and there are parents who have none - so pretty good fundraising I think. All too often a lot of the preparation would get left to myself and a few old faithfuls as there were no volunteers. I feel a bit like Coddy in this respect, the goodies bought with the money benefits every child and many hands really do make light work and quite often can make the money go further.

In addition as Kayleigh said it can give you a good insight into the running of the school - which was the main reason for resigning

SueW · 28/09/2004 18:22

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

SecondhandRose · 28/09/2004 18:24

No one is allowed to join our PTA. It's a secret society accessed by few parents. Meetings are not published, there is no AGM and no minutes. Membership is by invitation only.

I have spent 4 years asking to join can you believe! God knows why!!!!

SueW · 28/09/2004 18:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

codswallop · 28/09/2004 18:57

I agree with soupy that behind hte scenes support is better than none.

WideWebWitch · 28/09/2004 20:13

Nope, in your position I wouldn't join. I've done my time as Chair of a pre-school and as a member of various committees etc and it was really hard work for very little thanks or reward. I'm about to suggest to our PTA (who are a bunch of tossers anyway imo and lost my support long ago) that they start an option for parents who'd like to donate 50 or 100 quid at the begining of the year as a "get out of baking cakes/attending tedious meetings/running a bloody tombola etc free" payment. Seems fair enough. And if the government funded state schools properly we wouldn't all feel pressured into spending the few leisure hours we've got organising blooming cake fayres that make a grand profit of tuppence ha'penny. Sorry for ranting. Did I say I hate my PTA?

WideWebWitch · 28/09/2004 20:16

And your daughter's more important than the PTA IMHO. Forget the guilt, you shouldn't feel any for working and studying. And if you do, no amount of PTA meetings are going to make you feel better, in fact I think you'll feel even more thinly stretched and, as a consequence, a whole lot worse.

SueW · 28/09/2004 21:46

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

suedonim · 28/09/2004 22:05

Dd2's school has an optional fundraising levy of 30gbp a year. As it's a very small school (29 on the roll) fundraising can be difficult and the levy means the PTA can plan ahead, knowing it is guaranteed part of its income. One event such as a dance usually raises enough money for the remaining needs.

tigermoth · 29/09/2004 07:56

sweetheart, in your position I would become a PTA helper at school events. In that way you can help the PTA, get to know the PTA people, while being with your daughter still, as she can attend the events with you. I'm thinking of things like manning a stall or running a competiton at the christmas fair. Is your dd old enough to come along to these events, safely enjoy them while you 'work' for an hour or two? or would she happily sit with you? if not (and you feel she needs your close supervision) then go along with her as a normal punter, enjoy the event together, but help with the tidying up at the end, and tell the PTA people that once your dd is slightly older you will volunteer to run stalls if they need you. You can also volunteer to make cakes for the PTA etc at home - your dd can help you.

Right now, I would not go to evening meetings as such - as you want to spend as much time as possible with your dd.

jampot · 29/09/2004 08:08

sweetheart - I htink TM has got a good idea there. Many people don't realise how much background work needs to be done for these things, like wrapping prizes, folding raffle tickets etc.

Original poster
sweetheart · 29/09/2004 08:35

There are so many conflicting views here.

I'm going to go along to the meeting and see what it's all about (each school seems very different) but I'm hoping it's not a bunch of stuck up mothers who look down their noses at others (in that case they'll probably take a dim view of me as I'm a young mother) and I also hope I'm not the only person that turns up

I think the idea of a fixed donation is great and I personally would be more than willing, but my dd school has a wide range of backgrounds - going from people on all benefits and no money to people with million £ houses and a wealth of money. I'm not sure everyone would feel the same as me.

My dd is very mature for her age tigermoth and she would love to think she was being involved in things like this. She often pays at the till for me etc etc so she would love taking money off people on a stall for example.

Thanks for all your advice - the position I was thinking of as tresurer has already been taking by a lady that was on the board last year so maybe I will just go in as a helping hand when needed.

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