Building Membership in Parent
Gruops
Q.
How can we get more people involved in our school parents' group?
Here are the ABC's from the experts - the
Parent-Teacher Organization:
A is for Ask. How else are parents supposed to
know what's needed?
B is to avoid Black Holes. Offer tasks with
clear time constraints.
C is for Communication. Use flyers, email, a
newsletter and a website.
D is for Diversity. Variety is the spice of life
in volunteering, too.
E is for Examine. Keep what works, but change can
be invigorating.
F is for Fun. Don't forget to have lots of it!
It fights leader burnout best.
G is for Gradual. Step by step, deliberately
train and build future leaders.
H is for Hour, the length to which you should
limit meetings.
I is for Invitation. Communicate your needs one
on one. Think relationships!
J is for Just. "Just" parents? No! Expect
respect! You deserve it.
K is for Kudos. Awards, compliments, thank-you
notes build trust.
L is for Leadership. Think long-term, exciting,
shared vision and goals.
M is for Marketing. Do people know what your
group does? Tell them!
N is for New Parents. Reach out to them
especially. Woo them!
O is for Organization. Bylaws, tax-exempt
status, typed agendas: be pro's!
P is for Priorities. Focus on academic issues
first, fund-raising second.
Q is for Questionnaire. Distribute one to match
parents' skills with volunteer jobs.
R is for Research. Share it. The more parents
know, the better kids do.
S is for School Family Nights, which
are special events for the whole family.
T is for Training. Volunteers need
knowledge, background and resources.
U is for Unite. Strengthen the
school with mutual understanding.
V is for Visibility. Use open
houses, posters, signs and notes home.
W is for Welcome. Greeters, nametags
and introductions help.
X is for X-Factor. Balance work and fun, issues
and socializing.
Y is for Year. Reduce pressure with realistic
advance planning.
Z is for Zero In . . . on building parent
involvement!
Homework: The PTO has a great blog for parents
on www.PTOtoday.com/ptoblog/