Anyone part of their PTA?

IamAli

I went to my first meeting last night and really like it and plan on staying involved.

How do you drum up membership?  That is apparently the biggest ongoing issue.

Also, what do you do for fundraising activites?

indigo91804

My kids are in two separate schools so I am a member of both but not really active. They both do different things to fundraise.

One school does the "Wolf walk" where you raise pledges for every lap around the track you go. They also hold a carnival. I think they do a read-a-thon too. Oh, and they also hold a comedy night with a silent auction.

The other school has a "Madness" carnival where they sell food and each class sponsors a booth and the parents man the booth. It is ticket sales and all the food and prizes are donated by many different places in the community. His school is a "co-op" like a co-op preschool so it has high parental involvement. They have like a 75% PTA membership. We are all also require to "donate" $20 a month but we are never asked for any other money. The middle school also sells Entertainment books.  

indigo91804

PS... I think membership is an issue in a lot of schools. Most parents are worn thin and they think PTA= big commitment. Our first PTA experience was in a pretty large school and there was only like 10 member who showed up on a regular basis. I was recruited by my next door neighbor. 

shouldbworkin

I just sent in my dues (very small, IMO) since I received a letter home last night asking us to join (the first one I received so far, which was kind of surprising.  I would have joined sooner if they'd asked).  I don't plan on getting involved just yet.  I feel like I have enough to do btwn work and both kids schools, holiday parties, etc.  I might attend a PTA meeting this year and go from there. 

GinandTonic

I paid my dues and couldn't go to the October meeting.  I might try to make one, but I'm a little scared that there will only be like 10 people there and the minute a newbie walks in, they'll pounce on them to get uber-involved.  I'd like to help out, but totally scared of the time commitment.

Kaylie Plus 1

My daughter statred Kindergarten this year and I joined the PTA.  So far, so good.  I did attend the first meeting which consisted of introductions and upcoming events.  With the PTA at her school it is pretty much no pressure.  They give you a listing of the committees they have and you check what you might be interested in.  That way if you work full-time you might only select the cmmittees where they might need you to make food, or help out for events in the evening.  And even though you sign up for one or more of the committees you are NOT committed to EVERY event. 

As for fundraiser, our school does one main fundraiser called the Fun Run.  Where kids get pledges from family & friends to run laps.  This year the school collected $12K and every penny will be used to sponsor activites/events for the kids over the school year.  This way the kids don't have to sell wrapping paper, etc.

neverblushed

indigo91804:

My kids are in two separate schools so I am a member of both but not really active. They both do different things to fundraise.

This is my situation exactly!  Both schools have very active memberships.  I do participate in some fundraisers, but I don't go to meetings and help on committees.  Here are some of the big fundraisers my kids' schools do.  I put a * next to the ones I like to support.

DD's School -- this PTA is very into fundraising less into community activities.  This is a magnet school, and I don't live in the community, so I am less involved with this group.

casino night

Sally Foster gift wrap*

Market Day (a frozen prepared food fundraiser)

Scholastic Book Fair*

Original Works* (kid does a picture and you can order all kinds of items like mugs, keychains, and shirts with your kid's drawing on it)

DS's School -- this PTA does a fair bit of fundraising, but tends to lean more toward community activities and service projects.  This is our home school, and I know more people involved in this PTA.

spiritwear*

Sally Foster*

Scholastic Book Fair*

Fall Harvest Family Picnic*

Science Fair

School Beautification team

International Fair

Teacher appreciation week

HTH!