question about PTA event and cost

[MumNWLondon]

My DCs school have got Tanya Byron coming to talk to the parents and hopefully parents in other schools.

We were discussing how much to charge at the PTA meeting last night. They all think £20, but I thought thats a lot to ask - they all think ok because no one would have to pay for a babysitter (as no dads expected to come).

What do you all think - I think £15 more reasonable. The problem is that the costs are high so if we charge that we have to get more people to come to cover the costs. Some of the PTA mafia mums think its amazing that we have her coming and everyone they know will be signing up right away....

BTW state school in leafy NW suburb.

I know - i just sent round email saying that i thought that they were taking a huge financial gamble with pta money and that they each had to sign up 10 out of school friends or it would be disaster also managed to persuade them to reduce price a bit.

Good grief!

Have they never heard of single parents, or shift workers?!

£20 is extortionate, I'm glad that you've managed to get them down to £15 (though that is still a lot for entry alone).

You're They're really going to have to get they're selling caps on to make this work.

Good luck.

Forgot to say that a good bit of advertising (before the other school) is going to be needed to get the numbers required.

It doesn't have to cost a lot - think here, other parenting websites, posters in local community halls, Drs surgeries, newsagents etc.

Sounds like you're doing a great job - suspect they have a bit of mass-excitement & aren't liking hearing outside voices.

I think it's really hard to guess how PTA events will sell ... we had a £5 per ticket event which just died on it's arse (no outlay, so no loss, but still) and yet we've just tried out a ball (very scary for us, most we've ever charged for anything by about £30!) and the tickets are flying out the door!

I know you'll find this surprising but only about 2 or 3 single parents in whole school and I doubt any shift workers. But lots of dads working all hours in the city.

But yes I got message across it now costs £15 and they have all got selling caps on and are going to put up fliers everywhere including local nurseries, call around friends etc etc.