Mom Wanting Advice on How to Get Mom's Involved

At my son's school they send home the letters to join PTA. Those are great to get the monetary support but if you need volunteers you need to try a different approach.

At the school's open house they had a "mandatory" PTA meeting. By mandatory I mean that everyone that showed up for open house was sent to the cafeteria before being allowed to visit the teachers. There was a brief PTA explanation. They discussed what the PTA does generally and also specific events planned for the year that they needed help with. This probably explained a lot of things to the parents who wouldn't regularly show up to a meeting.

I would offer something for free. The cheapest thing I give away right now are vacation accomadation packages. basicly they get 3 days 2 nights at over 20 destinations worldwide for the cost of the room tax (5-12 dollars/ night) and a $15 registration fee. The more you order the cheaper they are. as low as 50 cent each! If you order 500 or more they'll put a message or contact info right on the certificate like Thank you for your loyalty to th PTA.

At Christmas I give away customized chocolates and customized ornaments...I have a ton of ideas.

I am interested in partnering up with the PTA to do some fundraising if you are interested let me know.

HTH

Jamie,
I am going to be a new mom... so as of right now I am far away from the PTA meetings. I do however think that it could be that people just don't know what PTA is all about.
My mother was super involved which helped me keep up with events in the school and really opened up some fabulous opportunities for myself.
I know that the mother's that really get involved will not be doing it for personal gratification, but to help make a difference in their child's learning environment.
I think if stay focused on trying to get Mom;s involved that will participate simply b/c they think they can make a difference for the children in that area, you may have few numbers but good people with you. I would rather have 5 members that are anxious to be creative and proactive than parents that just want to be there to say ... "yeah i'm in the PTA"
But to get off my rant and really answer your question...
A funfair that not only would help raise money but give you an chance to do something fun for the school but also get the parents together to talk with them about the benefits of being a PTA parent and how helpful it is for the school. I am not saying tilt a whirl or anything. But some kind of BBQ-ish event with games like potato sack relays, egg toss, pie in the face, bean bag toss... Stuff like that. Where you dont spend much money so the entry fee is cheap and won't scare any potential members off!

I know this is prolly going to sound bad but BRIBE THEM!!!! My mom was very active in our PTA at school and we had great meetings. One thing you could do is send out envelopes for the membership with a little note saying, something to the nature of, We are having a contest between each class in our school! For the classroom that has the most parents join our PTA, that class (or grade) would recieve a pizza party ($5.00 pizzas at little cesears works great!) Just something of that nature. i know if the teachers explain to their class that if their parents join and they have the most involvement, they get a pizza party... can you imagine the excitment from the kids! (ie: Mom but you have to join we get to have a pizza party!)haha but something to that nature... Sometimes if you mention a contest or that your trying to raise money for school or the kids field trips and just send the envelopes him some parents send money for it just cause it is for school. The pizza party would be an added bonus not just for the kids but for you as well. Kids get pizza you get parent involvement... Hope this helps.. If you need more ideas just let me know.. I can always contact my mom!!! =) Good Luck~~N.